FAA Part 107 Certification
Become a Drone Pilot
A straightforward guide to earning an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and beginning professional drone operations under Part 107.
Before You Begin
Part 107 is the starting point for professional drone work.
An FAA Remote Pilot Certificate is required when operating a small unmanned aircraft for commercial, government, or other non-recreational purposes under Part 107.
The certificate confirms that a pilot understands the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures needed to conduct safe drone operations.
This page is an educational overview, not legal advice. FAA requirements and testing procedures can change, so applicants should confirm current information through the official resources linked below.
Certification Process
Eight steps to your certificate.
Follow the process in order. Keep your FAA Tracking Number, test report, IACRA credentials, and training records available throughout the application.
Check Eligibility
To qualify for an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, an applicant must be at least 16 years old, be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a small unmanned aircraft.
- At least 16 years old
- Able to communicate effectively in English
- Physically and mentally able to operate safely
Study for the Knowledge Test
Prepare for the Unmanned Aircraft General—Small knowledge test by studying the subjects identified in the FAA Airman Certification Standards.
The principal knowledge areas include:
- Regulations
- Airspace classification and operating requirements
- Weather
- Loading and aircraft performance
- Flight operations and risk management
The FAA provides free study material. Study time varies by applicant, but many people prepare over several weeks rather than attempting to learn the material immediately before the exam.
Get an FAA Tracking Number Through IACRA
Before scheduling the knowledge test, create an account in the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system. IACRA will issue your FAA Tracking Number, commonly called an FTN.
Use the same IACRA account after passing the test to submit the electronic application for your Remote Pilot Certificate.
Your legal name and identifying information should match across IACRA, your PSI registration, and the identification you bring to the testing center.
Schedule and Take the PSI Knowledge Test
Schedule the FAA-approved Unmanned Aircraft General—Small test, identified by the code UAG, through PSI.
A 70 percent score means answering at least 42 of the 60 questions correctly. Knowledge Testing Centers generally charge approximately $175 for an attempt. Confirm the exact price during scheduling.
An applicant who does not pass must generally wait 14 calendar days before retesting and must pay for another attempt.
Complete Form 8710-13 in IACRA
After passing the UAG test, log back into IACRA and begin a new application for a Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Sign in to your IACRA account.
- Choose the Remote Pilot application type.
- Enter the required knowledge-test information.
- Complete FAA Form 8710-13 electronically.
- Review, sign, and submit the application.
Complete TSA Security Vetting
After the application is submitted, the Transportation Security Administration conducts the required security vetting.
Once the application and vetting process are complete, IACRA provides instructions for accessing and printing a temporary Remote Pilot Certificate. The temporary certificate is valid for 120 days.
The FAA has historically advised that temporary certificates may be available within approximately 10 business days after a completed application is received, but applicants should check IACRA for their actual status.
Receive Your Permanent Certificate
The FAA mails the permanent plastic Remote Pilot Certificate to the address associated with the application.
FAA guidance indicates that permanent-certificate processing commonly takes approximately six to ten weeks from the date the temporary certificate is issued.
Continue using the temporary certificate until the permanent certificate arrives, provided the temporary certificate remains valid.
Register Your Drone
Pilot certification and aircraft registration are separate FAA requirements. Register each aircraft used for Part 107 operations through FAADroneZone and select Fly sUAS under Part 107.
Drones that require FAA registration must generally comply with Remote ID requirements. Compliance may be achieved by using a Standard Remote ID drone, adding an approved broadcast module, or operating without Remote ID inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area when permitted.
Open FAADroneZone Review Remote ID requirementsOngoing Requirement
Maintain your aeronautical-knowledge currency.
A Remote Pilot Certificate does not expire unless it is surrendered, suspended, or revoked. However, a pilot must complete recurrent training within 24 calendar months to continue exercising Part 107 privileges.
The recurrent course is free and completed online through the FAA Safety Team. Pilots should retain the course-completion certificate as evidence of current aeronautical knowledge.
Missing the 24-calendar-month window does not erase the certificate. The pilot must complete the recurrent course before resuming operations that require current Part 107 privileges.
Open Part 107 Recurrent TrainingAdvanced Certification
Go beyond the minimum Part 107 standard.
Part 107 establishes the regulatory baseline. Industry credentials can demonstrate additional training, judgment, flight proficiency, safety practices, and operational experience.
AUVSI Trusted Operator Program
The AUVSI Trusted Operator program builds on Part 107 with standards-based training in safety, risk management, operational planning, and flight proficiency.
The credential can help employers and clients distinguish pilots who have demonstrated competence beyond the FAA’s minimum certification requirements.
Explore AUVSI Trusted OperatorRoutine Operations
Designed for foundational professional operations conducted in routine, lower-complexity environments.
Advanced Operations
Intended for pilots performing more demanding missions that require stronger planning, risk-management, and flight skills.
Complex Operations
Demonstrates preparation for safety-critical or complex missions requiring higher levels of risk mitigation and operational judgment.
Official References
FAA resources to keep available.
Use these primary sources to verify current certification, registration, testing, and operating requirements.
Begin With the FAA
Ready to start?
Review the current FAA certification guide, create your IACRA account, and begin working through the official study materials.