To fly a drone commercially in the United States, you need the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The good news: there is no flight test and no medical exam. You pass a knowledge test, apply, and you are licensed to fly drones for work. Here is the path.
This is part of our How to Become a Pilot guide. Part 107 is for commercial drone work; purely recreational flyers use the free TRUST test instead.
Part 107 vs. recreational drone flying
If you fly drones for any business or work purpose, including photography you are paid for, you need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. If you fly strictly for fun, you instead take the free TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) and follow the recreational rules. This guide covers the Part 107 commercial certificate.
Requirements
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Pass the Part 107 aeronautical knowledge test
- No FAA medical certificate is required
- No flight test is required
The steps
- Study for the knowledge test. Topics include airspace, weather, regulations, drone performance, and operating rules. Check your readiness with our Part 107 practice test.
- Get an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by registering in IACRA.
- Schedule and pass the test at a PSI testing center. It is multiple choice, and you need 70 percent to pass.
- Apply for the certificate through IACRA after passing.
- Stay current. Complete recurrent online training every 24 months.
What you can do with Part 107
The certificate lets you operate small drones (under 55 pounds) for commercial purposes within the operating rules: within visual line of sight, below 400 feet, and out of controlled airspace unless you have authorization (which is often available quickly through the LAANC system). Two limits have eased since the original 2016 rule:
- Night flying. Since April 21, 2021, you may fly at night if you have passed the updated knowledge test or completed the online recurrent training (either after April 6, 2021) and your drone has anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. The same lighting is required during civil twilight (14 CFR 107.29).
- Flying over people. No waiver is needed when your drone and your operation meet one of the four categories in 14 CFR part 107, subpart D, each with its own conditions. Otherwise, you may not fly over people unless they are directly participating in the operation or are under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle (14 CFR 107.39).
Registration and Remote ID
- Register every drone you fly under Part 107 through FAA DroneZone, whatever it weighs, and mark the registration number on its outside before you fly (14 CFR part 48). The exception for drones of 0.55 pounds or less applies only to recreational flying.
- Broadcast Remote ID (14 CFR part 89): fly a drone with built-in Standard Remote ID, add a Remote ID broadcast module, or fly only inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).
Why it is a great entry point
Part 107 requires no medical or flight test, and it opens real income opportunities in real estate, inspection, mapping, and media. It is also a low-pressure way to learn aviation fundamentals like airspace and weather that carry over if you later pursue a manned aircraft certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a medical for Part 107?
No. There is no medical exam and no flight test, just the knowledge test.
What score do you need to pass?
70 percent on the Part 107 knowledge test.
How old do you have to be?
At least 16 years old.
Do I need Part 107 to fly a drone for fun?
No. Recreational flyers take the free TRUST test instead. Part 107 is for commercial operations.