You need an FAA Part 107 certificate to fly a drone commercially

If you want to fly a drone for money—whether that's aerial photography, inspection work, or delivery—you need a Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is the official license that lets you operate a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) legally in U.S. airspace.

The process has three main steps: pass the FAA's knowledge test, register your drone, and maintain your certificate. You do not need a pilot's license or any flying experience beforehand. The whole path typically takes four to eight weeks from start to finish, depending on how quickly you study and can schedule your test.

Key Takeaways

  • You must pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test, which covers airspace rules, weather, drone mechanics, and safety—the test costs $175 and you can retake it if you fail.
  • Your drone itself must be registered with the FAA for $5, and the registration lasts three years.
  • You can study using free FAA materials or paid prep courses, but the test covers only what is in the official FAA study guide.
  • Once you pass, your certificate is valid for two years, then you renew by passing a recurrent test that takes 1 hour instead of 2.
  • You cannot fly for money without this certificate—doing so carries fines up to $27,500 and potential criminal charges.

The FAA Part 107 knowledge test: what you need to pass

The test itself is 60 questions, multiple choice, and you have 2 hours to complete it. You need a score of 70 percent or higher to pass. The FAA covers four main areas: regulations and airspace, weather and atmospheric conditions, aircraft performance and limitations, and operations and safety.

You take the test at an FAA-approved testing center—these are run by companies like Pearson VUE and PSI, and you can find one near you on the FAA website. The test costs $175. If you fail, you can retake it, but you must wait 14 days before your next attempt. Most people pass on the first try if they study the official FAA materials for 20 to 40 hours.

The FAA publishes the official study guide for free on its website—it is called the "Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide." This is the only source that guarantees you will see the exact topics on the test. Some people use paid prep courses or apps, but those are shortcuts; the official guide is what the test writers use.

Registering your drone with the FAA

Before you fly commercially, your drone must be registered with the FAA. Registration costs $5 and is done online through the FAA's Integrated Airmen Certification and Rating process (IACRA) system. The registration lasts three years.

You will need the serial number of your drone, your name, address, and email. The FAA will issue you a registration number that you must physically mark on your aircraft—usually with a permanent marker or label on the outside of the drone. If you own multiple drones, each one needs its own registration.

You can register your drone before or after you pass the knowledge test, but you cannot fly it commercially until you have both the registration and your Remote Pilot Certificate in hand.

How to schedule and take the FAA test

Once you feel ready, go to the FAA's IACRA website and create an account. You will enter your personal information and indicate that you are testing for a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. The FAA will issue you a temporary certificate number that you bring to the testing center.

Next, find a testing center near you—Pearson VUE and PSI are the two main providers. Call or visit their websites to schedule a test date. You can usually book a slot within a week or two. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your temporary certificate number from IACRA.

After you pass, the testing center will submit your results to the FAA electronically. Your official Remote Pilot Certificate arrives by mail within two to four weeks. Until it arrives, you can legally fly commercially using your temporary certificate number and a printed confirmation from the testing center.

What happens after you pass: your two-year certificate

Your Remote Pilot Certificate is valid for two years from the date the FAA issues it. During those two years, you can fly drones commercially anywhere in the United States, as long as you follow Part 107 rules—which include flying only during daylight, keeping the drone in sight, staying below 400 feet, and not flying over people.

Before your certificate expires, you can renew it by passing a recurrent test. This test is shorter (1 hour instead of 2) and covers the same topics but with fewer questions. You take it the same way: at an FAA-approved testing center, and it costs $175. You can take the recurrent test up to 6 months before your certificate expires.

If your certificate expires and you have not renewed it, you cannot legally fly commercially until you pass the full 2-hour test again.

Flying rules you must follow under Part 107

Once you have your certificate, the FAA rules are strict. You must keep your drone in visual line of sight at all times—you cannot use a camera feed alone. You cannot fly higher than 400 feet above ground level. You cannot fly over people, moving vehicles, or buildings unless you have special permission from the FAA.

You must fly only during daylight hours (from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset). You cannot fly faster than 100 miles per hour. You cannot fly a drone heavier than 55 pounds without additional certification. If you want to do anything outside these rules—fly at night, fly beyond visual line of sight, fly over people—you need a waiver or exemption from the FAA, which is a separate process.

Breaking these rules can result in fines up to $27,500 for civil violations, or criminal penalties including jail time if the violation is willful or causes injury.

Studying strategies that work

Start with the official FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide. Read it cover to cover, taking notes on sections that confuse you. The guide is about 100 pages and covers everything the test will ask.

After your first read, use practice tests. The FAA does not publish official practice tests, but several companies offer them online—some free, some paid. These are useful for finding weak spots. If you score below 80 percent on practice tests, spend more time on those topics before you book your real test.

Focus especially on airspace rules (Class A, B, C, D, E airspace and what you can and cannot do in each), weather interpretation (reading METAR reports and understanding wind shear), and the regulations themselves. These three areas make up the bulk of the test. Most people who fail do so because they did not understand airspace or misread weather questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a pilot's license to get a drone license?

No. The FAA Part 107 certificate is separate from a manned aircraft pilot's license. You do not need any flying experience or prior certification. The test assumes you are starting from zero knowledge.

Can I fly a drone for money without a license?

No. Flying a drone for any kind of payment—even a single photo shoot—without a Remote Pilot Certificate is illegal. The FAA considers this a commercial operation. Penalties include civil fines up to $27,500 and potential criminal charges.

How long does it take to get the certificate after I pass the test?

The testing center submits your results electronically, and the FAA issues your official certificate within two to four weeks. You can fly commercially when ready using your temporary certificate number while you wait for the physical certificate to arrive by mail.

What if I fail the knowledge test?

You can retake it after 14 days. There is no limit to how many times you can test. Most people who fail pass on their second attempt after studying the areas where they scored lowest.

Do I need to renew my drone registration every year?

No. Drone registration lasts three years and costs $5 one time. Your Remote Pilot Certificate, however, expires after two years and must be renewed by passing the recurrent test.