What the FAA requires before you can fly a drone commercially

The FAA does not issue a single "drone license." Instead, it issues a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, which is the credential you need to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for compensation or as part of your job. If you want to fly a drone recreationally without payment, you do not need this certificate — you only need to register your aircraft and follow the recreational rules.

The Part 107 certificate is not a permit for a specific drone or a specific location. It is a credential that says you understand the rules, can operate safely, and have passed a knowledge test. Once you hold it, you can fly most commercial operations with most small drones, as long as you follow the operating limitations in Part 107 and any local rules that explore.

The process has three main steps: register your aircraft with the FAA, pass the Part 107 knowledge test, and maintain your certificate by staying current on the rules. Each step has a cost and a timeline, and none of them are instantaneous.

Key Takeaways

  • The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required only if you fly a drone for money or as part of your job; recreational flying requires only aircraft registration.
  • You must pass the Part 107 knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center, which costs between $100 and $200 and covers airspace, weather, regulations, and safety.
  • Your drone itself must be registered with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds, and registration costs $5 and lasts three years.
  • Part 107 operations are limited to daylight, visual line of sight, altitudes below 400 feet, and speeds below 100 miles per hour, with exceptions available through a waiver process.
  • The certificate does not expire, but you must stay informed of rule changes because the FAA can revoke it if you violate the regulations.

Aircraft registration and the $5 fee

Before you take any drone into the air — whether you plan to fly it commercially or recreationally — you must register it with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds (about 250 grams). Registration is done online through the FAA's UAS registration portal and costs $5 per aircraft. The registration lasts three years.

When you register, you provide your name, address, and email, and you receive a registration number that you must physically mark on the aircraft itself. The FAA does not inspect the aircraft or test it; registration is straightforward a record that you own it and understand the basic rules. You can register multiple aircraft under the same account.

If your drone weighs 0.55 pounds or less, registration is optional but still allowed. Many people register anyway because the $5 cost is low and it removes any ambiguity about whether the rule applies to their specific aircraft.

The Part 107 knowledge test and what it covers

To get the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, you must pass a written test administered by an FAA-approved testing center. The test is called the Remote Pilot Knowledge Test, and it covers airspace rules, weather, aircraft performance, regulations, and safety procedures. You do not need formal training to take the test — the FAA publishes a study guide called the Remote Pilot Study Guide, which is free and available online.

The test has 60 questions and you must score at least 70 percent to pass. You have two hours to complete it. Testing centers are located in most cities and charge between $100 and $200 per attempt. If you fail, you can retake the test, but you must wait 14 days before your next attempt.

The test focuses on practical knowledge: how to read a sectional chart, what weather conditions prevent flight, how to avoid other aircraft, what airspace requires permission, and what the penalties are for violations. It does not require you to own a drone or have flight experience before you take it.

Part 107 operating rules and what you cannot do

Once you hold the Part 107 certificate, you can fly commercially, but only under specific conditions. You must fly during daylight or civil twilight, keep the aircraft in visual line of sight at all times, stay below 400 feet above ground level, fly at speeds below 100 miles per hour, and not fly over people or moving vehicles. You also cannot fly from a moving vehicle unless you are in a sparsely populated area.

These rules exist because small drones have limited range, battery life, and collision-avoidance capability. The 400-foot altitude limit keeps drones out of the airspace where manned aircraft typically operate. The visual line-of-sight rule means you must see the aircraft with your own eyes — you cannot rely on a camera feed alone.

If your operation does not fit these rules — for example, you want to fly beyond visual line of sight, or fly over a crowd, or fly at night — you can request a waiver from the FAA. Waivers are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not automatic, but they are available for legitimate commercial operations that can demonstrate safety.

how the process works for the certificate and the timeline

The process begins with registering your aircraft, which takes minutes. Next, you study for the Part 107 test using the free FAA study guide or paid training courses. Most people spend two to four weeks preparing. You then schedule a test at a testing center near you and take the exam.

After you pass the test, you do not receive a physical certificate in the mail. Instead, you create an account on the FAA's Airmen Certification and Rating process (ACRA) system, upload your test results, and your certificate is issued electronically. You can print a temporary certificate when ready and use it while you wait for the physical certificate, which arrives by mail within two to four weeks.

The entire process from registration to holding a valid certificate typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on how quickly you prepare for and pass the test. There is no waiting list or background check beyond what the testing center conducts.

Airspace restrictions and where you can and cannot fly

Even with a Part 107 certificate, you cannot fly everywhere. The United States is divided into airspace classes, and some classes require permission from air traffic control before you launch. Class B airspace, which surrounds major airports like New York's JFK or Los Angeles International, is off-limits to Part 107 operations without explicit permission. Class C and D airspace, which surrounds smaller airports, requires you to notify air traffic control, and they can deny your request.

You can check the airspace around any location using the FAA's B4UFLY mobile app, which shows you whether your planned flight location is in controlled airspace and whether you need permission. The app is free and works offline. Many cities also have local rules that are stricter than Part 107 — some ban drones entirely in parks or over residential areas — so you must check local ordinances before flying.

If you want to fly in controlled airspace, you submit a request through the FAA's Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system, which is also free. LAANC gives you an answer in minutes or hours, not days, because it is automated. If LAANC denies your request, you can contact the tower directly and request a waiver.

Maintaining your certificate and staying current

The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate does not expire. Once you pass the test and receive it, it remains valid indefinitely — you do not have to renew it or take the test again. However, the FAA can revoke your certificate if you violate the regulations, and the rules themselves change periodically.

The FAA publishes updates to Part 107 through notices and rule changes. These are not frequent, but they do happen. For example, in 2023 the FAA expanded the rules to allow limited operations over people under certain conditions. If you fly commercially, you are responsible for knowing the current rules. The FAA provides updates through its website and through email subscriptions.

If you are unsure whether a rule has changed, the FAA's Part 107 page on its website contains the current regulations. You can also contact the FAA's UAS Help Line at 1-844-UAS-HELP for questions about specific operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Part 107 certificate if I fly a drone just for fun?

No. Recreational flying requires only that you register your aircraft and follow the recreational rules, which include flying below 400 feet, keeping the aircraft in sight, and not flying over people. You do not need to pass the Part 107 test or hold a certificate. However, if you ever receive payment for flying — even if it is a one-time job — you must have the certificate.

Can I fly my drone at night with a Part 107 certificate?

Not without a waiver. Part 107 restricts operations to daylight and civil twilight. If you need to fly at night, you must request a waiver from the FAA through the LAANC system or by contacting your local Flight Standards District Office. Waivers are not automatic, but they are available for operations that can demonstrate safety measures like lighting or spotters.

What happens if I fly without a Part 107 certificate when I should have one?

The FAA can issue a civil penalty of up to $27,500 for operating commercially without a certificate. Criminal penalties are also possible for serious violations. If someone reports you or the FAA discovers the violation, you will be contacted. The best approach is to get the certificate before you take any paid work.

How much does it cost to get a Part 107 certificate?

The direct costs are $5 for aircraft registration and $100 to $200 for the knowledge test, totaling roughly $105 to $205. Many people also pay for training courses, which range from $200 to $500, but these are optional — the free FAA study guide is sufficient to pass the test. There are no other FAA fees.

Can I fly my drone over someone's property without permission?

Airspace above private property is not owned by the property owner, so you do not need their permission to fly through it. However, you must still follow all Part 107 rules and local laws. Some cities have ordinances that restrict drone flights over residential areas, and some property owners have sued for trespass or privacy violations. It is wise to notify neighbors before flying near their homes, even though you are not legally required to do so.