If you want to fly a drone commercially in the United States, the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is not optional. It is the legal gateway to earning money with a drone, whether you are shooting real estate photography, conducting infrastructure inspections, or running a mapping operation. This guide covers everything from what Part 107 actually is, to how to pass the exam, what operational rules govern your flights, and how to keep your certificate current.
What Is FAA Part 107?
Part 107 refers to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107, which governs the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System. The FAA introduced these rules in August 2016, replacing a patchwork of exemptions and special authorisations that had previously governed commercial drone operations.
Under Part 107, any person who wants to fly a drone commercially must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate. “Commercially” broadly means any operation in exchange for compensation or where the primary purpose is business-related. This includes real estate photography for a client, aerial surveying for a construction company, and creating content for a paid sponsorship.
Recreational flying under the Exception for Recreational Flyers operates under different rules. If you are flying purely for fun, you do not need Part 107. However, the moment money or a business purpose enters the picture, Part 107 applies.
The rules cover small UAS, which the FAA defines as aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds at takeoff, including payload and any attachments.
The Part 107 Knowledge Test: What to Expect
To earn your Remote Pilot Certificate, you must pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test, administered at FAA-approved testing centres across the United States. The test is commonly referred to as the Part 107 exam.
Exam Format
The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and you have 120 minutes to complete it. A passing score is 70 percent or higher, meaning you can miss up to 18 questions. The test fee is currently $175, paid directly to the testing centre.
Testing is conducted through PSI Services, the FAA’s authorised testing vendor. You can find a testing centre and schedule your exam at the PSI website. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID on the day of the test.
What the Exam Covers
The FAA publishes an Airman Certification Standards document that outlines all the subject areas tested. Key topics include:
- Airspace classification and operating requirements
- Aviation weather and how to interpret METARs and TAFs
- Reading sectional aeronautical charts
- Aviation regulations and Part 107 rules
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication basics
- Physiological effects on the remote pilot
- Aeronautical decision-making
- Airport operations
- Effects of loading and performance on small UAS
The chart-reading questions catch many candidates off guard. Spend significant time learning how to read sectional charts, identify airspace boundaries, and understand the symbols used for airports, obstructions, and special use airspace.
Study Tips That Actually Work
Use the FAA’s own materials first. The FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide is a free PDF that walks through every subject area tested. It is dense but thorough, and the exam draws directly from this material.
Take practice tests consistently. Multiple free and paid platforms offer practice exams that closely mirror the real test. Aim to consistently score above 85 percent on practice tests before booking your real exam date.
Focus on sectional charts. A meaningful portion of the exam involves interpreting sectional charts. Download a practice sectional and spend time identifying airspace classes, VOR stations, airports, and controlled airspace rings.
Learn airspace classes thoroughly. Know the dimensions, entry requirements, and operating rules for Class A, B, C, D, E, and G airspace. This knowledge is tested directly and underpins many scenario-based questions.
Study weather theory. Questions about METARs, TAFs, density altitude, and weather phenomena are common. Learn to decode a METAR and understand how temperature, altitude, and humidity affect aircraft performance.
Most candidates who dedicate 15 to 20 hours of focused study pass on the first attempt. Rushing the preparation is the most common cause of failure.
Core Part 107 Operational Rules
Passing the exam earns you the certificate, but you also need to understand and follow the operational rules every time you fly commercially. The main rules under Part 107 are:
Daylight operations. You may fly only during civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset) unless you hold a night operations waiver. Aircraft must have anti-collision lighting visible from 3 statute miles during twilight operations.
Visual line of sight. You must keep the drone within your unaided visual line of sight at all times. You may use a visual observer to help maintain situational awareness, but you remain responsible for the entire operation. Binoculars cannot be used to extend line of sight.
Altitude limit. Maximum altitude is 400 feet above ground level (AGL). In controlled airspace, you must be within a specifically authorised altitude. Near structures, you may fly up to 400 feet above the highest point of the structure.
Airspeed limit. Maximum groundspeed is 100 miles per hour (87 knots).
Minimum visibility. Flight visibility must be at least 3 statute miles from your control station.
Cloud clearance. You must stay at least 500 feet below clouds and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
No operations over people. You cannot fly over moving vehicles or people who are not directly participating in the operation, unless operating under a waiver or within an FAA-authorised category for operations over people.
Single aircraft. You may only operate one drone at a time as remote pilot in command.
No moving vehicles as launch platforms. You cannot operate from a moving vehicle or aircraft unless you are in a sparsely populated area and the operation meets specific conditions.
Alcohol and drugs. You cannot operate within 8 hours of consuming alcohol or while under the influence of any substance that affects your faculties.
Aircraft condition. You must ensure the drone is in a safe operating condition before every flight.
Flying in Controlled Airspace: LAANC and DroneZone
A significant part of operating commercially involves navigating controlled airspace. Class B, C, D, and some Class E airspace around airports requires authorisation before you fly.
The FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system provides near-instantaneous authorisations for operations in controlled airspace at or below established ceiling altitudes. LAANC is integrated into third-party apps including Aloft, AirMap, and the DJI Fly app. If the area you want to fly has a LAANC ceiling available, you can receive authorisation within seconds.
For locations not covered by LAANC, or for altitudes above the LAANC ceiling, you must apply for authorisation through the FAA DroneZone portal. These authorisations can take days or weeks to process, so plan ahead when working on projects in complex airspace.
Part 107 Waivers
The standard Part 107 rules are not always compatible with certain types of commercial operations. The FAA allows pilots to apply for waivers that permit deviations from specific rules, provided you can demonstrate the operation can be conducted safely.
Common waivers include:
- Night operations (107.29) - Flying outside civil twilight hours
- Visual line of sight (107.31) - Operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), typically for long-range infrastructure inspection or delivery operations
- Operations over people (107.39) - Relevant for event coverage, sports photography, and urban commercial work
- Operations from a moving vehicle (107.25)
Waiver applications are submitted through the FAA DroneZone. You must provide a detailed safety case explaining how you will mitigate the risks associated with the deviation from the standard rules. BVLOS waivers in particular require extensive documentation and operational infrastructure and are difficult to obtain for small operations.
The FAA also introduced a category-based approach to operations over people under Part 107.110 through 107.140. Drones certified under Category 1 through 4 can operate over people and moving vehicles under specific conditions without needing a separate waiver.
Registering Your Drone
Holding a Part 107 certificate does not automatically mean your drone is registered. Any drone weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA. Commercial operators register their drone under Part 107 rules through the FAA DroneZone portal. The registration fee is $5 per drone and is valid for three years. Your drone must be physically marked with its registration number before flight.
Renewing Your Certificate
A Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate does not expire on its face, but the aeronautical knowledge requirements must be refreshed every 24 calendar months. Until late 2021, renewal required retaking a recurrent knowledge test at a testing centre. The FAA has since introduced a free online recurrent training course available through the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website at faasafety.gov.
Completing the online course satisfies the recurrent training requirement. There is no fee. You do not receive a new physical certificate; your existing certificate remains valid as long as you complete recurrent training within each 24-month window.
Track your renewal deadline carefully. If you let it lapse, you are no longer legally qualified to act as remote pilot in command for commercial operations until you complete the recurrent training.
FAQ
Do I need Part 107 to fly a drone for my own social media page?
It depends on how the content is monetised. If your social media page earns advertising revenue, or you receive products, payment, or other compensation in exchange for featuring a brand, the FAA considers this commercial. If your page has no monetisation and all flights are purely personal, recreational rules apply. When in doubt, holding Part 107 removes any ambiguity.
Can I fly commercially the day I pass the Part 107 exam?
Not quite. After passing the exam, the testing centre submits your results to the FAA. The FAA then issues a temporary certificate, which you can use while your permanent plastic certificate is produced and mailed. The temporary certificate is typically available within a few business days and is fully valid for commercial operations.
What happens if I fly commercially without Part 107?
Operating a drone for compensation without a Remote Pilot Certificate violates federal law. Penalties can include civil fines up to $27,500 per violation and potential criminal charges in serious cases involving reckless operation. The FAA has issued enforcement actions against unqualified commercial operators.
Does Part 107 allow me to fly anywhere in the United States?
Part 107 establishes your eligibility to fly commercially, but it does not grant blanket permission to fly everywhere. You still need airspace authorisation for controlled airspace, must respect temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), and cannot fly in areas with specific prohibitions such as national parks, certain military facilities, or locations covered by relevant local ordinances.
How long does it take to prepare for the Part 107 exam?
Most candidates report studying for two to four weeks, averaging one to two hours per day. Prior aviation background helps significantly. Candidates with no aviation knowledge should budget more time, particularly for airspace classification and weather topics. Thorough preparation is the most reliable path to passing on the first attempt.