Part 107 FAQ

Part 107 refers to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 107), the FAA rule that governs commercial small UAS (drone) operations in the United States. It establishes the requirements for obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate, which authorizes you to fly drones weighing under 55 lbs for commercial purposes. Without a Part 107 certificate, you cannot legally charge for drone services, sell aerial footage, or use a drone in furtherance of any business. The rule was enacted in August 2016 and has been updated several times since, most notably in 2021 with night-flying and Remote ID provisions.

It depends on why you're flying. If you're flying purely for fun (recreational), you fly under the Exception for Recreational Flyers (Section 44809) and do not need Part 107. However, the moment you use your drone for any commercial purpose — selling photos, inspecting a roof for a client, mapping farmland, or even posting monetized YouTube videos — you need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The FAA defines "commercial" very broadly, so when in doubt, get your Part 107 certificate.

Recreational flying is strictly for personal enjoyment with no business purpose. You must follow community-based organization guidelines, stay below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace, and pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). Commercial flying under Part 107 allows you to fly for hire, sell footage, perform inspections, and conduct any business-related drone operation. Part 107 pilots have more flexibility — they can request airspace authorizations via LAANC, fly at night without a waiver, and operate with fewer restrictions than recreational flyers.

You must be at least 16 years old to obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. There is no upper age limit. You also need to be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. Unlike a traditional pilot's license, no medical certificate or flight hours are required. If you're under 16 but want to start preparing, you can begin studying now and take the test on or after your 16th birthday.

No, you do not need any prior aviation experience or pilot certificate. Part 107 is a standalone certificate specifically for drone operators. However, if you already hold a manned aircraft pilot certificate (Private, Sport, or higher) with a current flight review, you can skip the knowledge test and instead complete an online training course through the FAA Safety website. This shortcut saves the $175 testing fee and can be completed in a few hours.

The FAA Knowledge Test costs $175, paid directly to the testing center (PSI or CATS). This fee is non-refundable, even if you fail. You'll also want to budget for study materials — free resources exist, but a structured prep course like Rotate's Part 107 practice tests dramatically improves your pass rate. FAA registration for your drone costs an additional $5 per aircraft (valid for 3 years). All in, expect to spend $180–$350 to get fully certified.

Most people can study for and pass the Part 107 exam in 2–4 weeks of part-time study (1–2 hours per day). The test itself takes about 2 hours. After passing, you apply through IACRA (the FAA's online system) and typically receive your temporary certificate within 48 hours. Your permanent plastic certificate arrives by mail in 6–8 weeks. From start to finish, you could be a licensed commercial drone pilot in as little as 2 weeks.

The national pass rate is approximately 92%, so most people who study pass on their first attempt. The areas that trip people up most are sectional chart reading and airspace classifications — these require practice, not just memorization. If you use a structured study plan and take practice quizzes, you should have no trouble scoring well above the 70% minimum.

The Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test covers five major domains: regulations (Part 107 rules, airspace, registration), airspace and requirements (controlled/uncontrolled airspace, LAANC, TFRs, NOTAMs, sectional charts), weather (METARs, TAFs, density altitude, wind effects), loading and performance (weight and balance, CG, performance calculations), and operations (airport procedures, emergency procedures, crew resource management, aeronautical decision-making, and physiological factors affecting pilots).

The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. Each question has three answer choices (A, B, or C). The questions are drawn from a large test bank maintained by the FAA, so every test is slightly different. You can practice with real-format questions here to familiarize yourself with the style and difficulty level before test day.

You need a minimum score of 70% to pass, which means answering at least 42 out of 60 questions correctly. However, aiming for just 70% is risky — we recommend studying until you consistently score 85%+ on practice tests. That buffer accounts for test-day nerves and the handful of tricky questions the FAA always includes. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so always make your best guess.

You take the Part 107 exam at an FAA-authorized testing center. The two main providers are PSI Exams and CATS (Computer Assisted Testing Service). There are hundreds of locations nationwide, typically at flight schools, community colleges, and dedicated testing facilities. You can search for the nearest center and schedule your appointment on the PSI or CATS website. Bring a government-issued photo ID and arrive 30 minutes early.

No, the initial Part 107 knowledge test must be taken in person at an FAA-authorized testing center. However, the recurrent training (required every 24 months to maintain your certificate) can be completed online for free through the FAA Safety website (FAASTeam). If you already hold a manned aircraft pilot certificate with a current flight review, you can complete the initial training online as well, bypassing the in-person test entirely.

You are given 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete the 60-question exam. Most test-takers finish in 60–90 minutes. There is no penalty for finishing early, and you can review flagged questions before submitting. The testing center provides a basic calculator and a set of sectional chart supplements — you cannot bring your own materials, phone, or smartwatch into the testing room.

The FAA publishes five knowledge areas: (1) Regulations covering 14 CFR Part 107, registration, and remote pilot privileges; (2) Airspace classification, sectional chart interpretation, LAANC, TFRs, and NOTAMs; (3) Weather including METARs, TAFs, density altitude, wind shear, and microbursts; (4) Loading and performance such as weight and balance, center of gravity, and performance factors; (5) Operations including airport procedures, emergency management, crew resource management, ADM, and physiological factors.

Yes, and they are often the most challenging part of the test. Expect 5–10 questions that require you to read a sectional chart supplement provided at the testing center. You'll need to identify airspace boundaries, locate airports, interpret symbols (obstructions, TFRs, MOAs), and determine maximum allowable altitudes. This is where most people lose points, so spend extra time practicing. Our Part 107 quiz tool includes sectional chart questions modeled on the real exam.

Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate never expires. However, you must complete recurrent training every 24 calendar months to exercise the privileges of your certificate for commercial operations. The recurrent training is a free, online course available through the FAA Safety website (FAASTeam). If you let it lapse, you don't lose your certificate — you just need to complete the recurrent training before flying commercially again.

Technically, you don't "renew" Part 107 — you complete recurrent training. Every 24 months, log into the FAA Safety website (FAASTeam), complete the free online course, and pass the knowledge assessment. It takes about 1–2 hours. Once completed, update your certificate through IACRA. There is no fee and no in-person visit required. Set a calendar reminder so you don't accidentally fly with lapsed privileges.

Yes. Since the April 2021 rule update, Part 107 pilots can fly at night without a waiver. The requirements are: (1) your drone must have anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, and (2) you must have completed updated initial or recurrent training that covers night operations. If you got your certificate before April 2021, complete the updated recurrent training online to unlock night privileges.

Yes, but with restrictions based on your drone's category. The 2021 rules created four categories (1–4) based on drone weight and injury potential. Category 1 drones (under 0.55 lbs) can fly over open-air assemblies. Category 2 drones can fly over people but not sustained flight over open-air assemblies. Categories 3 and 4 have additional restrictions. Your drone must have an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance (DOC) or an airworthiness certificate for its category.

As of March 16, 2024, all drones that require FAA registration must broadcast Remote ID. This applies to both recreational and Part 107 pilots. Most new DJI, Autel, and Skydio drones have built-in Remote ID. Older drones need a Remote ID broadcast module. The only exception is flying at an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Non-compliance can result in fines. Read our complete Remote ID guide for setup instructions.

The FAA does not require insurance for Part 107 operations, but virtually every commercial client will. Liability insurance typically costs $500–$1,500 per year for $1M coverage. Many providers offer on-demand hourly policies starting at $10–$25 per flight. If you're doing any paid work — real estate, inspections, events — get insured. One crash into a car or building without coverage could bankrupt you.

Yes, but you need authorization first. The easiest way is through LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), which provides near-real-time approvals in most controlled airspace. Open the B4UFLY app or a LAANC provider like Aloft or AirMap, request authorization for your grid area, and you can often get approved in seconds. For airspace not covered by LAANC, you'll need to file a manual request through the FAA's DroneZone. Check our where-to-fly guide for more details.

Drone pilot income varies widely based on specialization, location, and experience. Entry-level real estate photography pays $150–$400 per shoot. Infrastructure inspection pilots earn $65,000–$130,000 annually as employees. Freelance pilots in surveying and mapping can charge $150–$300 per hour. Top earners in cinematography and specialized industrial inspection exceed $150,000 per year. The key is picking a niche and building a portfolio.

The highest-margin drone businesses are infrastructure inspection (power lines, cell towers, roofs), surveying and mapping (construction, mining), and agriculture (crop health monitoring, precision spraying). These niches command premium rates because they replace expensive and dangerous manual methods. Real estate photography is the easiest to start but has more competition and lower per-job rates. See our drone business startup guide for a detailed breakdown.

Your Part 107 certificate authorizes you to fly commercially, but local business requirements still apply. Most states and cities require a general business license or registration if you're offering services for pay. You may also need a sales tax permit depending on your state. An LLC is recommended for liability protection. Check your city and state's business portal for specific requirements — setup usually costs $50–$500.

Absolutely. You can sell aerial photos and videos as stock footage on platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images, or directly to clients. Real estate agents, construction firms, tourism boards, and marketing agencies are all eager buyers. You need your Part 107 certificate since selling footage is a commercial activity. Build a portfolio, showcase your work on social media, and reach out to local businesses to find your first clients.

Start local: contact real estate agents, roofing companies, construction firms, and event planners in your area. List your services on DroneBase, Zeitview (formerly DroneUp), and Thumbtack. Join Facebook groups and subreddits for drone pilots to find gig postings. For full-time positions, search LinkedIn and Indeed for "drone pilot" or "UAS operator."  Look into government and utility contracts for stable, well-paying work. Networking at local drone meetups and industry events is also highly effective.

Yes, and this is one of the most popular entry points for new Part 107 pilots. Real estate aerial photography typically pays $150–$400 per property for photos and video. Some agents want full video tours with editing, which can command $500+. Start by offering discounted shoots to a few agents, deliver polished work, and let referrals build your client base. Having a drone with a good camera (DJI Air 3 or Mavic 3 are popular choices) is essential.

At minimum: a reliable drone with a quality camera (DJI Mini 4 Pro for budget, DJI Mavic 3 for professional work), 3–4 extra batteries, a carrying case, ND filters for video work, and a smartphone or tablet for flight planning apps. You'll also need liability insurance, a basic website or portfolio, and business cards. Budget $1,000–$3,000 for a solid starter setup. As you specialize, you may add thermal cameras, LiDAR sensors, or multispectral imaging equipment.