How to Get Your Part 107 License in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

Your FAA drone license—officially the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate—is the legal requirement for any paid drone work in the US, including photography, real estate, inspections, and mapping. This guide covers who needs a Part 107 license, the exact steps to get certified, what’s on the test (including the October 26, 2026 change), and what you can do with it once you pass.

Here’s the honest take: Part 107 is very passable. You don’t need to have flown a drone before. You do need to learn airspace, weather, and the rules—and starting October 26, you need to be able to read a sectional chart you’ve never seen. If you want a structured path, our FAA drone license course walks you through every step below.

Let’s first understand what the Part 107 license actually is and why it matters.

What Is a Part 107 License (Your FAA Drone License)?

FAA Part 107 License | Source: Medium.com

The Part 107 license, officially known as the Remote Pilot Certificate, is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It authorizes a remote pilot to operate small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) under federal regulations for commercial operations.

To put it simply: “drone license,” “commercial drone license,” and “FAA drone license” are the everyday terms people use. Part 107 is the specific FAA regulation, 14 CFR Part 107, that makes that license legally meaningful.

Part 107 rules were first introduced in June 2016 and updated in 2021 to permit night flying and operations over people without a waiver under specific conditions. At a glance, Part 107 requires:

Let’s take a quick look at the importance of Part 107 certification and what it means for you as a certified drone pilot.

Do I Need a Part 107 License?

You need a Part 107 certificate if you:

• Fly a drone for any form of paid work
• Operate commercially on behalf of a business or employer
• Use drone footage, data, or services in any revenue-generating capacity
• Conduct promotional flights, even without direct payment

You do NOT need Part 107 if you:

• Fly purely for recreational or hobby purposes and follow all FAA recreational rules (49 U.S.C. § 44809)
• In that case, you pass the free FAA TRUST test instead of the Part 107 exam.

The FAA draws the line at commercial intent, not skill level or drone size. A $300 DJI Mini flown for a paying client requires a Part 107 license. A $2,000 professional rig flown on a weekend for fun does not.

Recreational pilots fall under a separate set of rules. You pass the free TRUST safety test, register any drone that weighs 250 grams or more ($5, covering all your recreational drones for three years), and follow community-based safety guidelines. No knowledge exam, no testing center, no test fee.

Still not sure which side you’re on? Read our full breakdown: do I need a license to fly a drone? For local rules, see our Drone Laws in the USA guide.

If you’re ever unsure which category applies to you, the safest rule is: if money is involved in any way, get the Part 107 license.

Let’s uncover the steps of getting a commercial drone pilot license.

Quick Steps: How to Get Your Part 107 License

You can earn your Part 107 License by meeting FAA eligibility rules, passing a knowledge exam, and completing the application process.

Here’s the full process at a glance.

Let’s understand the steps that need the most explanation: eligibility, the exam, and the application.

Step 1. FAA Drone License Eligibility Requirements

To earn a commercial drone pilot license under 14 CFR Part 107, here are the eligibility criteria.

For First-Time Applicants

To qualify for a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107, the FAA says you must:

• Age: Be at least 16 years old to be issued the certificate. You can take the knowledge test at 14. There is no maximum age.
• Language: Read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Physical & mental fitness: Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone. No formal FAA medical exam is required. You self-certify.
• Knowledge: Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam: Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG).

No prior flying experience or aviation background is required. One caveat: certain drug or alcohol offenses can be grounds for denying an application for up to one year (14 CFR 107.57).

For Existing Part 61 Certificate Holders

You must:

• Hold a pilot certificate issued under 14 CFR part 61
• Have completed a flight review within the last 24 months

Non-U.S. citizens and foreign nationals may obtain Part 107 certification under the same requirements as U.S. applicants.

For a full breakdown of federal and state-level rules, see our Drone Laws in the USA guide.

Step 2. Understand the Basic FAA Requirements

Once certified, you must:

• Keep your Remote Pilot Certificate easily accessible during all drone operations
• Complete FAA recurrent training every 24 calendar months to maintain aeronautical knowledge recency

These rules apply to both first-time pilots and Part 61 certificate holders.

Step 3. Pass the FAA Drone License Knowledge Test

To earn your Part 107 license, you must meet the FAA’s aeronautical knowledge requirement. The FAA tests this knowledge through either an exam or online training, depending on your background.

For First-Time Pilots

You must pass the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge exam at an FAA-approved testing center.

Exam Format at a Glance

The exam is multiple choice and focuses on both aviation basics and drone-specific rules. According to the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards, the test breaks down like this:

• Regulations (15–25%): Part 107 rules, privileges, operating limitations, waivers, Remote ID, registration
• Airspace Classification (15–25%): Classes A–G, special-use airspace, TFRs, sectional chart reading
• Weather (11–16%): METARs, TAFs, wind patterns, density altitude, weather effects on sUAS performance
• Loading & Performance (7–11%): Weight, balance, aerodynamics, performance calculations
• Operations (35–45%): Emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communications, preflight inspection

How to Prepare

Start by benchmarking yourself with Drone U’s free 70-question Part 107 practice test to identify weak areas, then work through our Part 107 study guide topic by topic. Aim to score 90%+ consistently before you book. The passing line is 70%, and the buffer matters.

For structured prep, the Drone U Part 107 license course ($147, regularly $197) includes 80+ on-demand video lessons, FAA-aligned quizzes, a downloadable study guide, and lifetime access. Many students finish in 7–14 days with 1–2 hours per day. Wondering how others do? See the FAA data in our Part 107 pass rate breakdown.

Structured study builds knowledge, but real flight time builds confidence. Nashville Drone Co offers hourly hands-on lessons in Nashville, helping local pilots get comfortable behind the controller while they study for the exam.

Walk Into the Exam Feeling Prepared

Confidence doesn’t come from studying more; it comes from knowing you studied the right things. You’ll be able to:

• Know where to start (and what to ignore)
• Spot weak areas before test day
• Review quickly without second-guessing yourself

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Step 4. Apply for Your FAA Drone License in IACRA

After you complete the required exam or training, you must apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA.

Here’s how:

• Before exam day: Create a free IACRA account at iacra.faa.gov to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN). You need it to register for the knowledge test, so do this before you book your appointment.
• After passing: Log in to IACRA, start a new Remote Pilot Certificate application, and complete FAA Form 8710-13 electronically. You’ll enter the 17-digit Knowledge Test Exam ID from your test report. Note that the FAA says it can take up to 48 hours for your test to appear in IACRA.
• Processing: Once your TSA security background check is complete, you’ll receive an email with instructions to print your temporary certificate from IACRA. It’s valid for up to 120 days, and your permanent certificate arrives by mail once FAA processing is complete. Have it available, physical or digital, whenever you fly.

For Part 61 certificate holders

Skip the proctored exam entirely. Complete the FAA ALC-451 online training course on the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website instead. Then complete Form 8710-13 in IACRA and bring your ALC-451 completion certificate, proof of a current flight review, and photo ID to an FAA-authorized representative, who can issue your temporary certificate at the time of application.

You can complete this by making an appointment with one of the following FAA-authorized representatives:

• At an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
• With an FAA-designated pilot examiner (DPE)
• An airman certification representative (ACR)
• An FAA-certified flight instructor (CFI)*

Please note: * FAA-certified flight instructors (CFIs) cannot issue temporary certificates. They can process applications for applicants who do not require a temporary certificate.

Learn what certification you need for drone mapping in this video:

What Changes for the FAA Drone License Test on October 26, 2026

Beginning October 26, 2026, the FAA says the UAG test “will include image-based questions not found in the test supplements.” The images come from current FAA sectional charts, according to the FAA’s September 2026 Airman Testing Community Advisory.

Here’s what that means for you:

• Same topics, new format. Airspace and airport questions were always on the test. Now some of them use a fresh chart crop instead of a supplement figure you may have memorized.
• The supplement isn’t going away yet. The FAA hasn’t set a removal date and says it will give ample notice.
• You can’t preview the images. The FAA keeps images in active test questions confidential.
• The format doesn’t change. It’s still 60 questions, 2 hours, and 70% to pass.

So the fix is simple: learn to read a chart, not memorize one. Start with our guide on how to read a sectional chart, then run the chart drills in our Part 107 study guide.

For the full story, including whether to test before or after the change, read our breakdown of the Part 107 test changes on October 26, 2026.

FAA Drone License Cost and Timeline

Here’s the short version. The required costs are the $175 knowledge test fee and $5 per drone for Part 107 registration (valid for three years). The FAA’s recurrent training is free. A prep course is optional, but it’s where most people save time.

As for timing, it mostly comes down to how fast you study. Creating your IACRA profile takes minutes. Your test results can take up to 48 hours to reach IACRA, and the temporary certificate follows once your TSA check clears. For every fee in detail, see our drone license cost guide.

Once you earn your Part 107 license, you must continue to follow FAA operating rules to fly legally and safely.

Part 107 Operating Rules for Certified Pilots

Once certified, your Remote Pilot Certificate allows you to fly commercially under these standard Part 107 conditions.

Check out our Safe Drone Operations course to learn flying skills that will take you from a beginner to an expert drone pilot.

Core Operating Rules

Here are the core operating rules under Part 107:

• Fly at or below 400 feet AGL (above ground level), or within 400 feet of a structure and no higher than 400 feet above its top
• Maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times without binoculars
• Fly at night or during civil twilight only with anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles
• Keep drone under 55 pounds (including payload)
• Fly at speeds under 100 mph (87 knots)
• Yield right of way to all manned aircraft
• Obtain LAANC authorization or other FAA airspace authorization before flying in Class B, C, or D airspace, or in Class E surface areas designated for an airport
• Keep at least 3 statute miles of visibility from your control station
• Stay at least 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds
• Comply with FAA Remote ID requirements. Your drone must broadcast identification and location data during flight
• You cannot be a pilot or visual observer for more than one drone operation at a time.
• Do not fly over people unless they are directly participating, under a covered structure or in a stationary vehicle, or your operation meets one of the four operations-over-people categories.
• Do not operate your drone from a moving aircraft. From a moving vehicle, fly only over sparsely populated areas.

Related Reading: Check out “Drone Laws in the USA” to get more information on the regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and see where you can fly a drone for no-fly maps and apps.

NOTE: Recreational pilots must pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). This requirement does not apply to Part 107 operations.

TRUST Certificate | Source: Reclaimdrone.com

Beyond basic flight rules, there are a few operational considerations that can affect how and where you fly. Let’s understand these in the next section.

When You Need a Part 107 Waiver

You do not need a waiver to fly under standard Part 107 rules. A waiver is only required when you want to deviate from a specific regulation. The FAA now takes Part 107 waiver applications through the FAA Aviation Safety Hub. Here’s every regulation listed as waivable under §107.205.

Request a waiver for only what you need to fly your mission. Additionally, you can review the criteria to evaluate waiver applications: Part 107 Waiver – Section Specific Evaluation Information (PDF)

2. Airspace Authorizations

Operations in Class G airspace are allowed without air traffic control (ATC) permission. For Class B, Class C, and Class D airspace, and for the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, you need ATC authorization before flying. For a plain-English rundown of each class, see our guide to airspace classes.

The fastest way to get it is Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), a free capability available through apps from FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers such as Aloft. According to the FAA, LAANC is available at 726 airports and can return approvals in near-real time.

Note: If an airport doesn’t offer LAANC, request authorization through FAADroneZone instead. The FAA says those manual requests have historically taken up to eight weeks, so apply early.

3. FAADroneZone

FAADroneZone Drone Registration

The FAA uses an online portal called FAADroneZone for aircraft registration and for requesting airspace authorizations when LAANC is unavailable.

It helps in:

• Registering your drone- $5 per drone, required before your first flight and valid for 3 years.
• Airspace authorization for locations where LAANC is not available
• Waiver applications submitted before the move to the Aviation Safety Hub, which the FAA says will still be processed in FAADroneZone

Next, let’s explore where most pilots actually stumble and what to do about it.

7 Common Mistakes Beginners Make With Part 107

Most problems that first-time pilots run into are predictable and avoidable. These are the ones that come up most often.

1. Confusing the TRUST test with Part 107 certification. The TRUST test is a free, untimed online safety course required for recreational flyers. Part 107 is a proctored, $175, 60-question exam at a certified testing center. They are completely separate. Flying commercially after only completing TRUST is illegal. If any money is involved, directly or indirectly, you need Part 107.

2. Skipping the FAA Tracking Number before exam day. You need an IACRA account and an FAA Tracking Number before you register for the exam. Create your IACRA account the same day you decide to pursue Part 107, not the week before the test.

3. Aiming for the minimum passing score. The pass mark is 70 percent, 42 correct out of 60. That is not the standard to aim for. Nerves, unfamiliar phrasing, and tricky weather questions can cost you points on exam day without warning. Study for 90 percent on practice tests. The buffer matters.

4. Flying commercially before the temporary certificate is issued. Passing the exam does not immediately authorize you to fly for compensation. Your temporary certificate is issued through IACRA after your application is submitted and the TSA security check is complete. Wait for that certificate before conducting any commercial operation.

5. Missing the 24-month recurrent training deadline. You must have passed your initial test or completed recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months to fly under Part 107. Many pilots track the wrong date and become non-current without realizing it. Set a calendar reminder for 22 months after your test or last training—that gives you two months to complete the free FAA course before you lapse.

6. Assuming Part 107 covers every type of commercial operation. A Part 107 certificate authorizes standard commercial flight within the published rules. Some operations still require a separate waiver, such as flying beyond visual line of sight, at speeds above 100 mph, above 400 feet AGL, or in conditions that fall outside the standard operating limits. Having the certificate does not automatically authorize everything.

7. Not registering the drone before the first commercial flight. Drone registration through FAADroneZone ($5 per drone, valid three years) is a separate requirement from Part 107 certification. You need both the certificate and a registered drone before any commercial flight. Registration takes about ten minutes and is often forgotten in the excitement of passing the exam.

Keeping Your FAA Drone License Current (Recurrent Training)

Your Remote Pilot Certificate doesn’t expire. However, to use it, you must have passed the initial test or completed FAA recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months (14 CFR 107.65).

Here’s the short version:

• Most pilots: Take the free Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent course (ALC-677) on FAASafety.gov. No testing center required.
• Part 61 pilots with a current flight review: Take ALC-515 instead.
• Missed the deadline? Your certificate isn’t revoked. You simply can’t fly under Part 107 until you complete the training, and you don’t need to retest.
• Counting the 24 months: It’s calendar months from your test or last training, not from the day the card arrived in the mail.

For the full step-by-step, see our guide to renew your Part 107.

What Can You Do with a Part 107 License?

According to Precedence Research, the global drone services market is projected to reach about $142.22 billion by 2035.

A Part 107 license opens the door to the full commercial drone industry. The FAA’s Aerospace Forecast (FY 2024–2044) says that, starting from 368,883 remote pilot certificates at the end of 2023, commercial activity may require over 472,269 remote pilots within five years—over 103,386 new remote pilot opportunities.

Industries actively hiring Part 107 pilots (fleet shares below are from the same FAA forecast, based on 2023 commercial units):

• Real Estate & Construction: The largest segment by far. General photography and real estate account for 81.88% of commercial UAS units (600,300 air vehicles), with construction adding another 3.96%. The most accessible entry point for new pilots.
• Inspection & Infrastructure (Energy): Power lines, cell towers, bridges, wind turbines, and rooftops. Energy represents 3.03% of the commercial fleet, and drone inspections keep replacing dangerous manual climbs. In our experience, companies pay a premium for certified pilots in this niche.
• Mapping & Surveying: Land development, civil engineering, and infrastructure projects use drone-collected data to replace traditional ground surveys. This niche requires additional software skills like DroneDeploy or Pix4D.
• Agriculture: Crop health monitoring, irrigation planning, and yield analysis. Agriculture accounts for 5.86% of commercial UAS units (43,000 air vehicles) per the FAA forecast.
• Film & Media Production: Commercial video, news, sports broadcasting, and events. Entertainment represents 2.73% of the commercial fleet — competitive but high-visibility work.
• Insurance Claims Assessment: 1.40% of commercial units, used for property damage assessment and claims documentation.

For a full breakdown of what pilots earn across each of these industries, see our Drone Pilot Salary Guide. New to the terminology? Start with what a drone is in FAA terms (drone vs. UAV vs. UAS vs. sUAS).

Check out this video to address any concerns and get clarification about the FAA Part 107 certification:

Related Resources

Get Your FAA Drone License With Drone U

Part 107 is the easy part of a drone career—if you prepare the right way. Learn the rules, learn the airspace, and learn to read a chart you’ve never seen. That’s exactly what the October 26 test change rewards.

Enroll in the Part 107 course: $147, lifetime access, 14-day money-back guarantee (regularly $197). You get on-demand video lessons, FAA-aligned quizzes (score 90%+ and you’re ready), a downloadable study guide, and access to the private Drone U community.

Training a team? We bring in-person Part 107 and flight training to organizations. Explore our Enterprise Drone Programs or book a consultation.

Disclaimer: Information in this guide reflects FAA regulations current as of October 2026. Drone regulations are subject to change. Always verify requirements directly with the FAA at faa.gov before flying commercially.

Ready to Pass Your Part 107 With Confidence?

Part 107 gets a lot easier when you stop guessing what to study. This training gives you a clear plan, so you can prepare faster and walk into the exam knowing you’re ready.

• Turn months of scattered studying into a few weeks of focused, structured prep
• Score 90% or higher on our quizzes, and you’ll know you’re ready for the real test
• Finally understand airspace, weather, and rules without memorizing blindly
• Know exactly what to study — and what you don’t need to stress about

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