Do You Need a Part 107 License? Who Needs It and Why (2026)

The Simple Answer: If You Fly a Drone for Any Commercial Purpose, You Need Part 107

The FAA divides drone operations into two categories: recreational and commercial. If you fly a drone purely for fun with no business purpose whatsoever, you fall under the Exception for Recreational Flyers (49 USC 44809) and do not need a Part 107 certificate. If you fly a drone for any commercial, business, or work-related purpose -- even indirectly -- you need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

That sounds straightforward, but the line between recreational and commercial is not always obvious. This guide breaks down exactly who needs Part 107, who does not, what happens if you fly commercially without it, and how to get certified if you need it.

Who Needs a Part 107 Certificate

The FAA defines "commercial" use broadly. Any operation that is in furtherance of a business counts. You need Part 107 if you are flying a drone for any of these purposes:

Real Estate Photography and Videography

This is one of the most common commercial drone applications. If a real estate agent, broker, or property owner pays you to capture aerial photos or videos of a property, that is commercial use. It does not matter whether you are a professional photographer or a friend doing a favor -- if there is any business connection, it is commercial.

Even if you are a real estate agent photographing your own listings, that is commercial use. The photos further your real estate business. You need Part 107.

Construction and Infrastructure Inspection

Drones are transforming construction site monitoring, bridge inspections, tower inspections, roof inspections, and utility line surveys. Any drone operation performed as part of a construction project, engineering assessment, or infrastructure maintenance program requires Part 107 certification. This includes:

• Progress monitoring on construction sites
• Roof inspections for insurance companies
• Cell tower and wind turbine inspections
• Bridge and highway infrastructure surveys
• Solar panel array inspections

Film, Television, and Video Production

If you are using drone footage in any video that has a commercial purpose -- a YouTube channel that earns ad revenue, a corporate promotional video, a music video, a documentary, a feature film -- you need Part 107. The key factor is whether the footage serves any business or revenue-generating purpose.

Agriculture

Precision agriculture is a rapidly growing drone application. Crop health monitoring, spray application, field mapping, irrigation assessment, and livestock monitoring all require Part 107 certification when performed as a business service or as part of farm business operations.

Mapping, Surveying, and GIS

Aerial mapping and photogrammetry for land surveys, topographic mapping, volumetric measurements, and GIS data collection are commercial operations requiring Part 107. This applies whether you are a surveying company offering drone services or a surveyor using a drone as one of your tools.

Journalism and News Gathering

Media organizations using drones for news coverage, investigative journalism, or documentary production need Part 107 certified pilots. This applies to both staff reporters and freelance journalists.

Search and Rescue (in Some Cases)

Government-operated search and rescue missions may operate under different rules (Part 91 or COAs), but private companies or volunteer organizations providing drone-assisted SAR services typically need Part 107.

Delivery Services

Drone delivery operations -- whether for packages, medical supplies, or food -- require Part 107 certification at minimum, and often require additional waivers or certifications depending on the operational specifics.

Any Other Business Purpose

The FAA's interpretation is broad. If you can draw any line between the drone flight and a business activity, it is likely commercial. Some examples people miss:

• A contractor flying a drone to photograph a job site for a client proposal
• A marketing agency capturing aerial footage for a client's social media
• A wedding photographer offering drone shots as part of their package
• A researcher collecting aerial data for a funded study
• An insurance adjuster using a drone to assess property damage
• A roofer using a drone to create estimates for customers

Who Does NOT Need Part 107

Recreational Flyers Under the Exception for Recreational Flyers (49 USC 44809)

If every single one of these conditions is true, you do not need Part 107:

1. The flight is strictly for recreational purposes. No business connection of any kind.
2. You fly in accordance with community-based organization (CBO) safety guidelines. As of 2026, the FAA-recognized CBO is the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), though additional organizations may be recognized.
3. You keep the drone within visual line of sight.
4. You do not interfere with manned aircraft. You must give way to all manned aircraft.
5. You fly in Class G airspace or get authorization for controlled airspace. Recreational pilots now use the LAANC system for airspace authorization, the same as Part 107 pilots.
6. The drone weighs under 55 pounds.
7. You pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). This is a free, online aeronautical knowledge and safety test. It takes about 30 minutes and is offered by FAA-approved test administrators.
8. The drone has Remote ID capability. As of the March 2024 enforcement date, all drones that are required to register must have Remote ID.

Important: You must meet ALL of these conditions. If even one does not apply, you fall outside the recreational exception and need Part 107.

Government Employees on Official Business

Federal, state, local, and tribal government employees operating drones for official governmental purposes may operate under 49 USC 44809 or may obtain a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the FAA. They do not always need Part 107, though many government agencies choose to have their pilots obtain Part 107 certification anyway as a best practice.

Flights Under an FAA-Issued Exemption or Certificate of Authorization

In rare cases, organizations may obtain specific exemptions or COAs from the FAA that allow operations outside the Part 107 framework. These are typically for specialized operations like large UAS, flights beyond visual line of sight, or operations over people that exceed Part 107 limits.

The Gray Areas People Get Wrong

Posting Drone Footage on Social Media

If you are a hobbyist posting drone videos on your personal Instagram for fun, that is recreational. But if your Instagram is a business account for your photography company, or if you monetize your content in any way (sponsorships, affiliate links, ad revenue), the FAA considers it commercial. The determining factor is whether there is any direct or indirect business benefit.

Flying for a Nonprofit Organization

Nonprofits are still organizations conducting business. If a nonprofit asks you to fly a drone to photograph an event for their website or promotional materials, that is a commercial operation requiring Part 107.

Flying for Free / "I Am Not Getting Paid"

Payment is not the determining factor -- purpose is. If a friend who owns a roofing company asks you to fly your drone over a client's house to help with an estimate, and you do it for free, that is still a commercial operation because it furthers your friend's business. You need Part 107.

Educational and Research Use

Academic drone use depends on context. A professor flying a drone for personal enjoyment on the weekend is recreational. A professor flying a drone to collect data for a funded research project is commercial. University drone programs typically require all operators to hold Part 107 certificates.

Flying for Compensation as a Hobbyist

If someone offers you $200 to take aerial photos of their property with your drone, that is commercial regardless of whether you consider yourself a hobbyist. The moment compensation (money, goods, services, or other value) enters the picture, it is commercial.

Penalties for Flying Commercially Without Part 107

The FAA takes unauthorized commercial drone operations seriously, and enforcement has increased substantially in recent years. Here is what you risk:

Civil Penalties

The FAA can impose civil fines of up to $27,500 per violation for operating a drone commercially without proper certification. Each flight can be considered a separate violation. If you have been flying commercially for months without Part 107, the potential penalties add up fast.

Criminal Penalties

In serious cases, particularly those involving safety risks to manned aircraft or people on the ground, the FAA can refer cases for criminal prosecution. Criminal penalties can include fines of up to $250,000 and up to 3 years in prison under 18 USC 39A for unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft.

Insurance Implications

Most drone liability insurance policies require the operator to hold a valid Part 107 certificate. If you cause property damage or personal injury while operating commercially without Part 107, your insurance may deny the claim. You would be personally liable for all damages.

Client and Business Consequences

Many clients, particularly in real estate, construction, and film, now require proof of Part 107 certification before hiring a drone operator. Government contracts universally require it. Operating without certification exposes both you and your clients to legal risk.

How Enforcement Actually Works

The FAA identifies unauthorized commercial operators through several channels:

• Reports from other drone operators or members of the public
• Social media monitoring (posting commercial drone work on social media without a Part 107 certificate is essentially advertising a violation)
• Remote ID -- law enforcement can now query Remote ID broadcasts to identify operators in the field
• Complaints from competitors who are properly certificated
• Incident investigations where a drone causes an accident or safety concern

How to Get Your Part 107 Certificate

If you have determined that you need Part 107, here is the process from start to finish:

Step 1: Study for the Knowledge Test (2-4 weeks)

The Part 107 knowledge test covers five areas: regulations, airspace, weather, loading and performance, and operations. Most people with no aviation background need 3 to 4 weeks of study. People with existing aviation knowledge can often prepare in 2 weeks.

Study resources include:

• The FAA's free study materials at faa.gov
• Part 107 practice test question banks (including ours)
• YouTube video courses covering all five topic areas
• The actual text of 14 CFR Part 107 (about 15 pages)

Step 2: Create an FAA Tracking Number

Register at iacra.faa.gov to receive your FTN. You will need this number to schedule and take the exam.

Step 3: Schedule and Take the Exam

Register through PSI Exams (psiexams.com) for the UAG exam. The testing fee is $175. Choose a testing center and date. The exam is 60 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit. You need 70% (42/60) to pass.

Step 4: Complete Your IACRA Application

After passing the exam, log back into IACRA and complete your Remote Pilot Certificate application. You will need to fill in your personal information, exam details, and submit the application for TSA background check.

Step 5: Receive Your Certificate

After the TSA background check clears (typically 1-3 weeks), you will receive a temporary certificate that you can download and print. Your permanent certificate arrives by mail in 6-8 weeks.

Cost and Timeline Summary

The $175 exam fee is the only mandatory cost. All study materials, registration, application processing, and the certificate itself are free.

Certificate Renewal

Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is valid for 24 calendar months. To renew, you must pass a recurrent knowledge test. As of the 2021 rule update, the recurrent test is available online for free through the FAA's website (no need to return to a testing center). It is shorter than the initial test and focuses on updated regulations and operational knowledge.

Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your certificate expires to give yourself time to complete the recurrent test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Part 107 to fly a drone under 250 grams?

For recreational use, drones under 250 grams (0.55 lbs) do not require FAA registration, but you still need to follow recreational flying rules. For commercial use, you need Part 107 regardless of the drone's weight. There is no weight exemption for commercial operations.

Can I fly commercially while my Part 107 application is being processed?

Yes, once you pass the exam and submit your IACRA application, you receive a temporary certificate that authorizes commercial operations while your permanent certificate is being processed.

Do I need Part 107 if I already have a private pilot certificate?

If you hold a current manned aircraft pilot certificate (Private, Commercial, or ATP), you can complete an online training course instead of taking the in-person knowledge test. You still need to apply through IACRA and receive a Remote Pilot Certificate -- your pilot certificate alone is not sufficient.

Does Part 107 cover all types of drone operations?

Part 107 covers most standard commercial operations, but some advanced operations require additional waivers. These include sustained flights over people in certain categories, flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), operations from a moving vehicle in populated areas, and flights at night without proper anti-collision lighting. Waiver applications are submitted through FAA DroneZone.

Is Part 107 a "drone license"?

Technically, the FAA calls it a "Remote Pilot Certificate" rather than a license. In everyday language, people call it a drone license, drone pilot license, Part 107 license, or UAS certification. These all refer to the same thing: the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

The Bottom Line

If there is any commercial, business, or work-related purpose behind your drone flight, you need Part 107. The exception for recreational flyers is narrow and requires meeting all eight conditions. The consequences of flying commercially without certification -- up to $27,500 in civil fines per violation plus potential criminal penalties -- far outweigh the $175 and 2-4 weeks it takes to get certified.

The Part 107 test is passable for anyone willing to study. The 90% pass rate for prepared candidates proves it. Get certified, fly legally, and protect yourself and your business.

*Ready to get started? Practice with our [Part 107 question bank](/part-107) and test your knowledge across all five exam topics. Our practice questions include detailed explanations so you learn the concepts, not just the answers.*