Part 107 Drone License Guide: Learn how to legally fly drones for commercial use with FAA certification and professional drone operation standards.
If you have ever thought about turning your love for drones into a real career, you are in the right place. Flying a drone for fun is one thing, but the moment you fly for a client, shoot real estate photos for pay, or inspect a building for a business, you are operating commercially. And that changes everything. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requires every commercial drone pilot in the United States to hold a Part 107 drone license, officially called a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating.
The good news? Getting this license is 100% achievable, even if you have zero aviation experience. You do not need a college degree, a pilot’s license, or years of flying hours under your belt. You just need to study smart, pass one knowledge test, and follow a few straightforward steps. Thousands of people complete this process every single month, and many do it in less than four weeks from start to finish.
This guide breaks everything down in plain, simple language no confusing aviation jargon. Whether you are a 16-year-old curious about drones, a photographer looking to add aerial services, or someone building a new side income, this article covers every step you need to take. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly what the Part 107 drone license is, how to get it, what it costs, and what kind of opportunities it opens up for you in 2026 and beyond.
A Part 107 drone license is the FAA-issued certification that legally allows you to fly a drone for commercial or business purposes in the United States. The name comes from 14 CFR Part 107, the section of federal aviation law that governs small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) weighing under 55 pounds.
Just like you need a driver’s license to drive a car on public roads, you need a Part 107 drone license to fly a drone for money or business purposes in U.S. airspace.
You need this license any time your drone flight is tied to work, business, or income. That includes:
If you are flying purely for fun with no money involved at all, you only need the free TRUST certification a simple 45-minute online test. But the moment income enters the picture, the Part 107 drone license is the law.
Before you start studying, make sure you actually qualify. The FAA has set clear eligibility requirements, and the good news is most people meet them easily.
| Requirement | Details |
| Minimum Age | 16 years old |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident |
| Language | Must read, speak, write, and understand English |
| Health | No medical certificate needed, but you must self-assess fitness before each flight |
| Mental/Physical Condition | Must not have any known condition that would interfere with safe drone operation |
One thing people are often surprised to learn: you do not need an aviation medical certificate to get a Part 107 drone license. Unlike manned aircraft pilots, drone operators simply self-assess their physical and mental fitness before each flight. If you would not drive a car because of fatigue, medication, or illness, you should not fly a drone for the same reason.
Here is the exact process, broken into clear steps anyone can follow.
Everything starts at the FAA’s IACRA website (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system) at iacra.faa.gov. This is free and takes about 10 minutes.
Do not skip this step. You cannot register for the knowledge test without an FTN.
This is the step that separates people who pass on their first try from those who pay $175 to retest. Do not rush it.
The Part 107 knowledge test is a 60-question, multiple-choice exam administered at FAA-approved testing centers. You get 120 minutes to complete it, and you need to score at least 70% (42 out of 60 correct) to pass. In 2025, the average score was just 79.31%, barely above the passing line which tells you that studying casually is not enough.
Key topics covered on the test:
How long do you need to study?
Most people with no aviation background need 10–20 hours of focused study over 2–4 weeks. People with existing aviation knowledge can prepare faster.
Free study resources:
Paid study courses (optional but popular):
These paid courses typically include video lessons, practice exams, and instructor access. Many offer money-back guarantees if you fail on your first attempt.
Once you feel ready, it is time to book your exam. The test is administered by PSI (Computer Assisted Training Service) at over 700 FAA-certified testing centers across the United States. You can find the nearest location through the PSI website or the FAA’s website.
Test day essentials:
If you fail, you can retake it but you must wait 14 calendar days and pay the $175 fee again. This is exactly why preparation matters. Passing on your first attempt keeps your total cost low.
After passing, log back into IACRA and complete FAA Form 8710-13, the Remote Pilot Certificate application.
Here is what you will need:
Sign the application electronically and submit it. The TSA will conduct a security background check, which typically takes 7–10 business days. Once cleared, you will receive an email with instructions to print your temporary certificate, this is fully valid and lets you begin flying commercially right away.
Your permanent plastic certificate will arrive by mail within a few weeks.
Before your first commercial flight, you also need to register your drone with the FAA at FAADroneZone. Registration costs just $5 and is valid for three years.
A few things to know:
Here is an honest look at what you will spend. The mandatory costs are surprisingly low.
| Expense | Cost | Required? |
| IACRA Profile Creation | $0 | Yes |
| FAA Knowledge Test Fee | $175 | Yes |
| Drone Registration (FAA DroneZone) | $5 | Yes |
| Online Prep Course (optional) | $0–$300 | No |
| Practice Test Simulators | $20–$60 | No |
| Total Minimum | $180 | — |
| Total with Study Course | $280–$480 | — |
The only money you are required to spend is $180 – $175 for the test and $5 for drone registration. The certificate itself is free to apply for.
Spend a little on study materials upfront. Failing and retesting costs another $175 plus 14 days of waiting. A $100 prep course is cheaper than one failed attempt.
Once you have your Part 107 drone license, you are authorized to fly commercially, but there are still operational rules you must follow.
For operations that fall outside standard Part 107 rules, you can apply for a Part 107 waiver through the FAA’s DroneZone portal. Waivers are reviewed case by case and are not guaranteed.
Your Remote Pilot Certificate does not expire in the traditional sense, but your aeronautical knowledge recency must be kept current. Here is what that means in practice:
Every 24 calendar months, you must complete one of these to stay legally current:
Both renewal options are completely free. No retesting at a testing center is required for most renewals. This is one of the most pilot-friendly systems the FAA has ever built.
If you let your recency lapse, you cannot legally fly commercially until you complete the appropriate course. There is no grace period.
Already a licensed pilot under Part 61? The FAA has a simplified path for you.
Instead of taking the full knowledge test at a testing center, you simply:
No $175 test fee. No trip to a testing center. Your existing aviation knowledge is recognized, and the online course covers drone-specific topics that manned pilots would not have encountered, such as maintenance procedures and drone-specific emergency scenarios.
This is worth knowing before you skip the process. Flying commercially without a valid Part 107 drone license is a federal violation. The FAA can issue civil penalties ranging from $1,100 to $75,000 per violation, and in egregious cases, criminal penalties may apply.
Beyond the fine, flying without a license:
The risk simply is not worth it when the certification process is this accessible.
Getting your Part 107 drone license is not just about legal compliance, it is the doorway to a genuinely growing career field.
According to 2026 industry data:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range |
| Entry-Level Pilots | $42,000 – $50,000 |
| Mid-Level (Specializations) | $55,000 – $95,000 |
| Experienced / Technical Roles | $70,000 – $130,000+ |
| Aerospace & Defense Pilots | $130,000 – $150,000+ |
Freelancers who specialize in inspection, thermal imaging, or mapping and build their own client base can exceed $100,000 annually. The fastest-growing and highest-paying opportunity right now is BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, which require additional waivers but command premium rates.
The global commercial drone market is projected to reach $96 billion by 2026, and the FAA reports over 400,000 certified remote pilots actively operating in the United States. This is a field that rewards early movers.
Here is everything condensed into a single checklist so you never lose your place in the process:
Getting your Part 107 drone license is one of the most straightforward professional certifications you can earn. The barrier to entry is low, the cost is minimal, and the doors it opens are genuinely worth it whether you are building a business, launching a side income, or stepping into a full-time career in one of the fastest-growing fields in aviation.
The process takes a few weeks of honest studying and one trip to a testing center. That is it. Once you hold that certificate, you are legally authorized to fly commercially anywhere in the United States, with access to one of the most in-demand skill sets in today’s job market.
Start your IACRA profile today, download the free FAA study materials, and take the first step. The sky quite literally is yours.
No. The certification is for you as a pilot, not for a specific aircraft. You can sit the exam and receive your certificate without owning any drone at all.
Most people complete the process — studying, testing, and receiving a temporary certificate — in two to four weeks. The bulk of that time is studying.
You can retake it after a mandatory 14-day waiting period. There is no limit on retakes, but you pay the $175 fee each time. Use that as motivation to prepare thoroughly the first time.
Yes. The minimum age is 16, and there is no upper age limit. As long as you meet all other requirements, age is not a barrier in either direction.
Yes. It is a federal FAA certification and is valid across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Local ordinances may add additional restrictions in specific cities or areas, so always check local rules before flying in a new location.
Part 107 does not legally require insurance, but most professional clients and businesses will require proof of liability insurance before hiring you. Drone-specific insurance plans start at roughly $500–$800 per year for commercial pilots.
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