The FAA Part 107 license is required for commercial drone pilots in the United States. This certification allows individuals to legally operate drones for commercial purposes. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain your Part 107 license.
Determine Eligibility
To qualify for a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, you must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 16 years old
Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
Be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a drone
Have a valid government-issued photo ID
Identify Your Category
The process for obtaining your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate depends on whether you fall into one of these two categories:
Category 1 (Most Common) - You are a first-time pilot or an existing Part 61 certificate holder who has not completed a flight review in the last 24 months
Category 2 - You are an existing Part 61 certificate holder who has completed a flight review in the last 24 months (2 years).
Category 1 – First Time Pilot or Part 61 Certificate Holder Without a Recent Flight Review
If you fall under this category, follow these steps:
Prepare for the Part 107 Knowledge Exam
Use FAA-provided study materials such as:
You also have the option to take a paid online study course. If you're looking for a comprehensive course that covers all possible questions and includes practice exams, we recommend Pilot Institute. Click Here to visit their website and use the code "Rantizo" for $100 off the course.
Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN)
Create an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile before registering for the knowledge test.
Schedule and Take the Knowledge Test
Find a testing center via the FAA’s PSI website.
The Exam you will need to select is "Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG)"
Schedule your exam (typically costs around $175).
Take the Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center.
Knowledge Test Overview
The Knowledge Test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each with three answer options. You’ll have 2 hours to complete the exam, and a score of 70% or higher is required to pass.
The test covers 7 main subject areas:
Regulations
Part 107 rules and limitations
Remote Pilot responsibilities
Operating rules (like max altitude, daylight ops, visual line-of-sight)
Airspace Classification and Flight Restrictions
Controlled vs. uncontrolled airspace (Classes B, C, D, E, G)
Reading sectional charts
How to request LAANC airspace authorization
Weather
Understanding METARs and TAFs
Basic weather patterns
How weather affects drone performance
Loading and Performance
Drone weight and balance
Center of gravity
Effects of loading on maneuverability
Operations
Emergency procedures
Collision avoidance
Radio communications
Maintenance and inspection requirements
Physiological Factors
Fatigue, dehydration, and other human factors
Decision-making and situational awareness
Airport Operations
Runway markings and traffic patterns
NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen)
Right-of-way rules
Complete FAA Form 8710-13 Electronically
Once you have passed your test, log into IACRA and complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate.
Login with your username and password
Accept Terms of Service as an "Applicant"
Click on: "Start New Application"
Application Type "Pilot"
Certifications "Remote Pilot-Initial"
Complete "Other Path Information"
Then Click on "Start Application"
Fill out Your Personal information
Under "Basis of Issuance," select "Completion of Knowledge Test(A)"
When prompted, enter the 17-digit Knowledge Test Exam ID (Note: it may take up to 48 hours from the test date for the knowledge test to appear in IACRA)
On the bottom of the screen, you will need to click and review ALL 3 documents before you can proceed to the next step (Pilot's Bill of Rights, Privacy Act and Review Application)
Sign the application electronically and submit for processing.
Receive Your License
Following successful completion of your knowledge test, you will receive a temporary Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate while your permanent card is being processed and mailed to you.
Once you receive your permanent certificate, you may discard the temporary one.
Category 2 – Part 61 Certificate Holder with a Recent Flight Review (Within Last 24 Months)
If you fall under this category, follow these steps:
Create an account or log into your existing account on the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website.
Create an account or log into your existing account in IACRA.
Complete Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate (FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application) in IACRA.
Make an appointment with your FSDO, DPE, or CFI to validate your identity. Bring your completed Form 8710-13, proof of your current flight review, photo ID, and your online course completion certificate
Note: CFIs cannot issue temporary certificates. They can process applications for applicants who do not want a temporary certificate.
Keep Your License Current
Your Part 107 certificate is valid for 24 months. To stay current, you must either complete a free online recurrent training course or retake the knowledge test before it expires. Click below to learn how to stay current.
More Information
If you need more information on how to get your Part 107, you can view the FAA website by clicking the button below.