What You Need to Do to Become a Licensed Drone Pilot
To fly a drone commercially in the United States, you must pass the FAA Part 107 exam and hold a remote pilot certificate. This is a real credential issued by the Federal Aviation Administration—not a company certificate or a training completion badge. The process takes most people between two and four weeks from start to finish, though you can move faster if you study intensively.
The path is straightforward: study the FAA's test material, pass a written exam at an FAA-approved testing center, and then you can legally operate a drone for work. You do not need to own a drone before you test, and you do not need to attend a flight school, though many people do both. The exam costs $175 and covers airspace rules, weather, drone mechanics, and safety procedures.
Key Takeaways
- You must pass the FAA Part 107 written exam at an official testing center; passing online courses or training programs does not substitute for the actual test.
- The exam covers 60 questions on airspace, weather, regulations, and drone operation, and you need a score of 70 percent or higher to pass.
- You must be at least 16 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and able to read and speak English to take the test.
- After you pass, your remote pilot certificate is valid for 24 months, then you must pass a recurrent exam to renew it.
- You can study using free FAA materials or paid courses, but the exam itself is the only official measure of your knowledge.
Who Can Take the FAA Part 107 Exam
You must meet basic requirements before you can sit for the test. You need to be at least 16 years old, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. You do not need a high school diploma or any prior aviation experience.
The FAA also requires that you be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a drone. This is a self-certification—you declare on your exam process that you meet this standard. If you have a medical condition that might affect your ability to operate safely, you can contact the FAA's Aerospace Medical Certification Division before you test to ask whether you need special clearance.
Study Materials and What the Exam Covers
The FAA provides free study material on its website, including the Part 107 study guide and practice tests. The official guide covers five main areas: regulations and safety, airspace and weather, drone mechanics and performance, operations and procedures, and emergency procedures. You can read the study guide as a PDF and work through it at your own pace.
Many people also use third-party study apps and courses—companies like Pilot Institute, UAV Coach, and others offer video lessons, flashcards, and practice exams. These are optional and cost between $50 and $200, but they can help you understand the material faster if you prefer video instruction over reading. The actual exam, however, comes only from the FAA.
The test itself has 60 multiple-choice questions and you have two hours to complete it. You need to score 70 percent or higher to pass, which means getting at least 42 questions correct. Common topics include reading sectional charts, understanding airspace classifications, calculating drone performance in different weather, and knowing the rules for flying near airports or populated areas.
Finding and Registering for an Exam at a Testing Center
The FAA does not administer the exam directly. Instead, you test at an FAA-approved testing center, usually run by companies like PSI or Pearson VUE. You can find testing centers near you on the FAA's website by searching for "Part 107 testing centers" and your state or city.
Once you find a center, you register online through their system, choose a date and time, and pay the $175 exam fee. Most centers offer multiple test dates per week. You will need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
On exam day, the testing center will verify your identity, review the rules, and give you the exam on a computer. You can take notes on scratch paper during the test. After you finish, you will see your score when ready on the screen, and the testing center will print a score report. If you pass, you can proceed to get your certificate.
Getting Your Remote Pilot Certificate After You Pass
Passing the exam is not the same as holding the certificate. After you pass, you must explore for your remote pilot certificate through the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating process (IACRA) system. This is a free online process that takes about 20 minutes to complete.
In IACRA, you will enter your personal information, your exam results, and confirm that you meet the medical and legal standards. You will also choose whether you want a paper certificate mailed to you or a digital certificate you can access when ready. Once you submit, the FAA reviews your process, which usually takes a few business days.
Your remote pilot certificate is valid for 24 months from the date the FAA issues it. You can check the status of your process in IACRA, and you can read a temporary certificate to print while you wait for the physical one to arrive.
What You Can and Cannot Do With Your Certificate
Once you hold a remote pilot certificate, you can operate a drone for commercial purposes—meaning you can be paid to fly drones for photography, surveying, inspection, or other work. You must follow all FAA rules, including flying only during daylight, keeping the drone in sight at all times, staying below 400 feet, and not flying over people or moving vehicles.
You cannot fly for commercial work without the certificate, even if you own the drone and have trained extensively. Flying commercially without a license is a federal violation and can result in fines up to $27,500. However, you can fly a drone recreationally without a certificate as long as you register your drone with the FAA and follow recreational flying rules.
If you want to do something outside the standard rules—such as fly at night, fly beyond visual line of sight, or fly over people—you must request a waiver from the FAA. This is a separate process that can take weeks or months, depending on the request.
Renewing Your Certificate Before It Expires
Your remote pilot certificate expires 24 months after the FAA issues it. To renew, you must pass the Part 107 recurrent exam, which covers the same material as the initial test. You take the recurrent exam at the same testing centers and pay the same $175 fee.
You can take the recurrent exam up to 120 days before your certificate expires. Once you pass, you explore for renewal through IACRA, and your new certificate is valid for another 24 months. If your certificate expires before you renew, you cannot legally fly commercially until you pass the exam and receive a new certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own a drone before I take the exam?
No. You can pass the Part 107 exam without owning or ever flying a drone. Many people test first, then buy a drone after they pass. However, some people prefer to practice flying before the exam to understand how drones behave in wind and different conditions.
Can I take the exam online from home?
No. You must test in person at an FAA-approved testing center. The exam is proctored, meaning a staff member watches you take it to prevent cheating. You cannot take it remotely or at home.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You can retake the exam as many times as you need. There is no waiting period between attempts, though you must pay the $175 fee each time. Most people who fail study the weak areas and pass on their second attempt.
Do I need a medical certificate to get a drone pilot license?
No medical certificate is required. You self-certify that you are in a condition to safely operate a drone, but you do not need to visit an aviation medical examiner or get FAA approval beforehand. If you have serious medical conditions, you can contact the FAA before testing to ask whether you need special clearance.
Can I fly drones in other countries with my FAA certificate?
Your FAA remote pilot certificate is only valid in the United States. Other countries have their own drone licensing systems. If you plan to fly commercially abroad, you will need to check that country's aviation authority for their requirements.