Complete Part 107 Certification Guide: Everything You Need to Pass

Becoming a certified commercial drone pilot in the United States requires passing the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate examination. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of the certification process, from initial eligibility requirements to maintaining your certificate over time.

Who Needs Part 107 Certification

Part 107 certification is required for anyone conducting commercial drone operations in the United States. Commercial operations include any flight where you receive compensation, directly or indirectly, for drone services. This encompasses obvious commercial activities like aerial photography, surveying, and inspections, but also includes scenarios where drone footage enhances a product or service you sell.

Real estate agents using drone photos to market properties need Part 107 certification. Farmers monitoring crops for their own operation technically require certification because the drone work benefits their commercial enterprise. YouTubers monetizing drone content fall under commercial classification. When in doubt, assume certification is required.

Recreational pilots flying purely for fun under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations do not need Part 107 certification, but must follow separate rules including flying within visual line of sight, below 400 feet, and only in approved locations.

Eligibility Requirements

Before beginning the certification process, verify you meet basic eligibility requirements:

• At least 16 years old on the date of application
• Able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• In physical and mental condition to safely operate a small UAS
• Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test

No prior aviation experience is required. Unlike manned aircraft pilot certificates, Part 107 does not require flight training, medical certification, or logged flight hours. The certificate is based entirely on demonstrating aeronautical knowledge through the written examination.

The Part 107 Knowledge Test

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering five major topic areas. You have two hours to complete the test, and a score of 70 percent or higher is required to pass. Questions are drawn randomly from a large question bank, so each test taker receives a unique examination.

Topic Area 1: Regulations (15-25%)

Understand Part 107 operating rules including altitude limits, visual line of sight requirements, airspace classifications, and pilot responsibilities. Know when waivers are required and how to obtain them. Understand registration requirements and aircraft marking rules.

Topic Area 2: Airspace and Requirements (15-25%)

Master airspace classifications from Class A through Class G. Know which airspace requires prior authorization through LAANC or manual authorization. Understand how to read sectional charts, identify airports, and recognize temporary flight restrictions. This topic area typically challenges new pilots most.

Topic Area 3: Weather (11-16%)

Learn to interpret METARs, TAFs, and other aviation weather reports. Understand how temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind affect drone operations. Know weather minimums for Part 107 operations and how to make go/no-go decisions based on conditions.

Topic Area 4: Loading and Performance (7-11%)

Understand how weight, balance, and density altitude affect aircraft performance. Know how battery performance changes with temperature and altitude. Calculate weight limits and understand center of gravity implications.

Topic Area 5: Operations (35-45%)

The largest topic area covers practical flight operations including crew resource management, preflight procedures, emergency procedures, and aeronautical decision-making. Understand how to conduct safe operations and respond to equipment failures or unexpected situations.

Study Resources

Multiple study options exist at various price points. Free resources include the FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide available as a PDF download from faa.gov. This official guide covers all testable material but requires self-discipline to work through independently.

Commercial study courses from providers like Pilot Institute, Drone Pilot Ground School, and UAV Coach offer structured curricula with video lessons, practice tests, and instructor support. Prices range from fifty to three hundred dollars depending on features and support levels.

Plan two to four weeks of study time depending on your learning pace and prior aviation knowledge. Those with existing pilot certificates often pass after a single weekend of focused study. Complete beginners typically need fifteen to twenty hours of preparation.

Scheduling Your Test

Part 107 examinations are administered at FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Centers operated by PSI Services. Schedule your test through the PSI website or by calling their scheduling line. Testing centers exist throughout the country, typically within driving distance of most metropolitan areas.

The examination fee is currently one hundred seventy-five dollars paid directly to the testing center. This fee is non-refundable if you fail, so schedule your test only when you consistently score above eighty percent on practice examinations.

Bring government-issued photo identification to your testing appointment. Arrive fifteen minutes early to complete check-in procedures. Personal items including phones, watches, and notes are prohibited in the testing room.

After Passing

Upon passing the examination, you receive a temporary certificate valid for 120 days while the FAA processes your permanent certificate. Apply for your permanent Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA IACRA system within ten days of passing.

Your certificate arrives by mail within six to eight weeks. The permanent certificate does not expire but requires recurrent training every 24 calendar months to remain valid for commercial operations.

Maintaining Your Certificate

Part 107 certificates require recurrent training every 24 months. Complete the free online recurrent training course through the FAA WINGS program to maintain currency. The recurrent course takes approximately one hour and covers regulatory updates and safety topics.

Keep records of your recurrent training completions. While the FAA maintains electronic records, having personal documentation helps resolve any discrepancies that might arise during enforcement actions or client verification requests.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many test takers underestimate airspace questions and sectional chart interpretation. Spend extra time mastering these topics because they comprise a significant portion of the examination and cause the most failures.

Do not rely solely on practice test memorization. The FAA question bank changes regularly, and understanding underlying concepts matters more than recognizing specific questions. Focus on why answers are correct, not just which answers are correct.

Schedule your test promptly after completing study materials. Knowledge fades quickly, and delaying the examination allows forgetting to erode your preparation investment.