FAA Part 107 Exam Fee 2026 — What You Will Pay and When

You want to fly drones commercially — real estate photography, inspections, mapping — and you know you need the FAA Part 107 certificate. But before you start studying, you want to know what the exam actually costs. The answer should be simple, but the FAA buries it in regulatory language and testing center websites don’t make it obvious either.

Here’s every cost you’ll encounter, from the exam fee itself to the ongoing renewal expenses.

The Part 107 Exam Fee: $175

The FAA Part 107 knowledge test costs $175 as of 2026. This fee is paid directly to the testing center when you schedule your exam — not to the FAA. The testing centers (PSI Exams is the current FAA-approved provider) administer the test at locations across the country.

The $175 covers one attempt. If you fail, you pay $175 again for each retake. There’s a 14-day waiting period between attempts. The fee is the same regardless of which testing location you choose — PSI sets a standard price nationally.

There is no FAA application fee beyond the test itself. Once you pass, you apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA’s IACRA system at no additional charge. The certificate arrives in your mail 6-8 weeks later (or you can print a temporary certificate immediately).

Study Materials: $0 to $300

The exam covers airspace, weather, regulations, loading/performance, and operations. You can prepare for free using FAA-published study materials — the FAA’s own “Remote Pilot Study Guide” (FAA-G-8082-22) is available as a free PDF download. Supplementary Advisory Circulars on airspace and weather are also free from the FAA website.

Paid study courses range from $50 to $300. Providers like Pilot Institute, Gold Seal, and the King Schools Part 107 course offer structured video lessons, practice tests, and pass guarantees. These aren’t required, but many test-takers find the structured format easier to follow than reading FAA documents.

If you have zero aviation background, budget 15-25 hours of study time. Airspace classification and sectional chart reading are the hardest sections for first-time test-takers. If you already hold a manned aircraft pilot certificate, you can skip the test entirely and complete an online training course through the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) at no cost.

Renewal Cost: $0 Every 24 Months

Your Part 107 certificate must be renewed every 24 months. Renewal requires completing an online recurrent knowledge course through the FAA Safety Team website — there is no fee. The course takes approximately 1-2 hours and can be completed from home.

You do not need to retake the $175 proctored exam for renewal. The initial exam is a one-time cost. As long as you complete the free online recurrent training every 2 years, your certificate stays active.

If you let your certificate lapse (miss the 24-month renewal window), you’ll need to retake the full $175 exam at a testing center. Set a reminder 60 days before your renewal date — the process takes 15 minutes once you sit down to do it.

Total Cost Summary

Minimum cost to get certified: $175 (exam only, self-study with free FAA materials).

Typical cost with a study course: $275-$475 (exam + paid study course).

Ongoing cost: $0 every 24 months (free online renewal course).

The Part 107 is one of the most affordable professional certifications available. No annual fees, no membership dues, no continuing education credits to purchase. A one-time $175 exam fee and free biennial renewals — that’s it. For a credential that legally enables a commercial drone operation, the cost barrier is intentionally low.