Getting Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Who needs a Part 107 certificate, the eligibility requirements, the knowledge test, and the shortcut for pilots who already hold a Part 61 certificate.
To fly a drone (small unmanned aircraft) for any commercial or non-recreational purpose in the US, the person acting as remote pilot in command needs a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small-UAS rating under 14 CFR 107.12. Purely recreational flying follows the separate exception for limited recreational operations, but Part 107 is the default for everything else.
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- be at least 16 years old,
- be able to read, speak, write and understand English,
- be in a physical and mental condition to operate safely (there is no aviation medical certificate required), and
- pass the aeronautical knowledge test — or use the shortcut below.
The knowledge test
Most applicants pass the "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)" knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing centre. It covers regulations, airspace and charts, weather, loading, and operations. After passing, you apply for the certificate through IACRA, undergo TSA security vetting, and receive your Remote Pilot Certificate.
The Part 61 shortcut
If you already hold a [Part 61 pilot certificate](/certificates) (other than student) and have completed a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months, you do not take the testing-centre exam. Instead you complete the free online training course ("Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems") on the FAA's training site and then apply.
Register the drone
Separately, most drones (those weighing 0.55 lb / 250 g or more, and any flown under Part 107) must be registered with the FAA and display the registration number. See also Remote ID, which most drones must broadcast.
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*Reference and training only — not for navigation or as legal advice. Always consult the current 14 CFR, the AIM, your aircraft’s POH/AFM and a certificated flight instructor.*