Guide to be certified to fly a drone in USA

# Guide to Becoming Certified to Fly a Drone in the USA

Flying a drone professionally in the United States generally requires a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating, commonly known as a Part 107 certificate. The certificate is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is the standard qualification for pilots conducting many commercial, business and other non-recreational small-drone operations.

Part 107 applies to small unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds, or approximately 25 kilograms, at take-off, including anything attached to or carried by the aircraft.

The certification process is relatively accessible. A first-time pilot does not need previous aviation experience, does not need to attend a traditional flight school and does not have to complete a practical drone flight test. Instead, the main requirement is passing the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) aeronautical knowledge examination and completing the FAA certification process.

Becoming a professional drone pilot involves more than passing this examination. Pilots must understand airspace, weather, operating limitations, emergency procedures, Remote ID, aircraft registration and the rules governing where and how drones can operate.

For someone starting a professional drone career in the United States, Part 107 is therefore the foundation.

Understanding Part 107

Part 107 refers to 14 CFR Part 107, the FAA regulations covering many civil small unmanned aircraft operations.

The rules were designed to provide a regulatory framework for operating small drones within the U.S. National Airspace System.

Part 107 covers a wide variety of professional activities. These can include aerial photography, surveying, mapping, construction monitoring, roof inspection, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, real estate photography, filmmaking and many other commercial applications.

One important distinction is the purpose of the flight.

If somebody flies purely for recreation, they may operate under the recreational rules rather than Part 107. However, if the flight is being conducted for a business, organisation or other non-recreational purpose, Part 107 will commonly apply.

This means even someone who is not directly being paid for the flight may still need Part 107 certification if the operation supports a business activity.

What Is a Remote Pilot Certificate?

The FAA Remote Pilot Certificate demonstrates that the holder has the aeronautical knowledge required to operate small drones under Part 107.

It is often informally called a drone licence, Part 107 licence or commercial drone licence.

Technically, the FAA refers to it as a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating.

The certificate allows the holder to act as the Remote Pilot in Command, commonly abbreviated to RPIC, for qualifying Part 107 operations.

The Remote Pilot in Command has responsibility for ensuring the drone operation complies with applicable regulations and is conducted safely.

Who Can Get a Part 107 Certificate?

The basic eligibility requirements are straightforward.

A first-time applicant must be at least 16 years old.

The applicant must be able to read, speak, write and understand English, subject to the FAA's applicable provisions.

The applicant must also be in a physical and mental condition that allows them to safely operate a small unmanned aircraft.

Unlike becoming a conventional aircraft pilot, obtaining Part 107 certification does not normally require an FAA medical certificate.

You also do not need previous flying experience.

This makes professional drone aviation considerably more accessible than traditional piloted aviation.

The Part 107 Certification Process

For someone who does not already hold an eligible FAA Part 61 pilot certificate, the normal process begins with creating an account in the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system, known as IACRA.

This provides the applicant with an FAA Tracking Number, or FTN.

The FTN is used when registering for the knowledge examination.

The applicant then schedules the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) examination at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center.

After passing the examination, the applicant completes the Remote Pilot Certificate application through IACRA.

The FAA then processes the application and completes the required security vetting.

Once approved, the applicant can obtain a temporary Remote Pilot Certificate while waiting for the permanent certificate.

The process can therefore be summarised as:

Create IACRA account → Obtain FTN → Study → Book UAG examination → Pass examination → Complete IACRA application → FAA processing → Receive Remote Pilot Certificate.

The Part 107 Knowledge Test

The UAG examination is designed to determine whether the applicant understands the aviation knowledge required to operate safely within the National Airspace System.

This means the examination is not primarily about physically controlling a drone.

A person may already be an excellent drone pilot but still need to learn significant amounts of aviation theory before taking the test.

The examination covers subjects including FAA regulations, airspace, weather, aircraft performance, emergency procedures, airport operations and operational decision-making.

This knowledge is important because a professional drone pilot shares airspace with helicopters, general aviation, commercial aircraft and other airspace users.

Understanding Airspace

Airspace is one of the most important subjects for new Part 107 pilots.

The United States contains different classes of controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

Drone pilots need to understand how these airspace classifications affect their operations and when FAA authorisation is required.

Particularly important are operations near airports.

A pilot cannot simply assume that flying below 400 feet means every location is available for drone operations.

Some locations require airspace authorisation, while other restrictions may apply because of temporary flight restrictions, security requirements or other aviation activity.

Learning to read and understand relevant aviation information is therefore an important part of becoming a professional drone pilot.

The 400-Foot Rule

Part 107 operations are generally limited to a maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level, subject to the detailed regulatory provisions and applicable exceptions.

There are provisions allowing certain operations around structures to exceed 400 feet above ground level while remaining within the permitted distance and height relative to the structure.

However, pilots should understand the exact rule rather than treating 400 feet as a universal limit that applies identically in every situation.

Local airspace restrictions can impose additional limitations.

Professional pilots should therefore check the airspace before every mission.

Visual Line of Sight

Part 107 generally requires the drone to remain within Visual Line of Sight.

The remote pilot or appropriate visual observer needs to be able to maintain the required visual awareness of the aircraft during the operation.

A camera feed displayed on the controller does not by itself satisfy the normal visual-line-of-sight requirement.

This is particularly important for long-distance applications such as pipeline, railway, utility and highway inspection.

Operations extending beyond normal Part 107 limitations may require an FAA waiver or another applicable regulatory pathway.

Controlled Airspace and LAANC

One of the most useful systems for professional American drone pilots is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, or LAANC.

LAANC allows eligible drone pilots to request airspace authorisation for operations in controlled airspace around participating airports.

Depending on the location and requested altitude, authorisation can sometimes be provided near real time.

This makes commercial drone operations around many populated areas significantly easier than a system requiring every request to be processed manually.

Pilots should understand that LAANC authorisation does not remove their other responsibilities.

The flight must still comply with Part 107 and any conditions associated with the authorisation.

Where LAANC is not available or where the requested operation cannot be handled automatically, other FAA authorisation procedures may be necessary.

Registering a Drone for Part 107

Obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate and registering the aircraft are separate requirements.

Drones operated under Part 107 must be registered with the FAA.

Registration is completed through FAADroneZone.

Unlike recreational registration, Part 107 aircraft are registered individually.

The FAA currently charges $5 per drone, and Part 107 registration is valid for three years.

The registration number must be displayed on the aircraft in accordance with FAA requirements.

Pilots should also carry the appropriate registration information when conducting operations.

Drones Under 250 Grams

The 250-gram distinction sometimes causes confusion in the United States.

A drone weighing 0.55 pounds or less may be exempt from registration when operated exclusively under the recreational exception, subject to the applicable requirements.

That exemption does not generally mean a sub-250-gram drone used under Part 107 is exempt from registration.

If the aircraft is being operated under Part 107, it must be registered even if it weighs less than 250 grams.

This is an important distinction for professional pilots using very small camera drones.

Remote ID

Remote Identification is now an important part of professional drone operations in the United States.

Drones required to be registered generally need to comply with the FAA's Remote ID requirements.

Remote ID can be thought of as a form of digital identification for drones.

A compliant aircraft can broadcast identification and flight information that can be received by compatible systems nearby.

There are several ways operators can meet Remote ID requirements depending on the aircraft and operation.

Many newer drones contain Standard Remote ID functionality built into the aircraft.

Older aircraft may potentially use an approved Remote ID broadcast module.

Drones without Remote ID equipment may also be operated within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area, known as a FRIA, when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

Professional pilots should verify Remote ID compliance before beginning operations.

Night Operations

Part 107 pilots can conduct qualifying night operations without obtaining the type of waiver that was previously required, provided the applicable FAA requirements are satisfied.

The remote pilot needs the required current aeronautical knowledge, which is addressed through the updated initial knowledge test or recurrent training.

The aircraft must also have anti-collision lighting visible for at least three statute miles and with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision.

Operating at night introduces additional risks.

Depth perception can change, obstacles become more difficult to identify and maintaining orientation can become more challenging.

Professional pilots should therefore obtain practical night-flying experience in suitable environments rather than assuming that regulatory permission alone makes them competent to conduct difficult night missions.

Operations Over People

The FAA allows certain Part 107 operations over people when the aircraft and operation meet the applicable requirements.

The regulations use different categories based on factors including aircraft characteristics and the potential risk presented to people on the ground.

This means holding a Part 107 certificate does not automatically allow unrestricted flight over crowds.

The aircraft itself and the way the operation is conducted must meet the appropriate regulatory requirements.

Professional operators planning events, construction projects, emergency-response operations or work in populated environments should understand these rules carefully before flying.

Operations Over Moving Vehicles

Part 107 also contains provisions allowing certain operations over moving vehicles under defined conditions.

Again, this does not mean a Part 107 pilot can automatically conduct sustained flight over active traffic simply because they hold a certificate.

The aircraft category and operational conditions matter.

This is particularly important for pilots working in road inspection, traffic monitoring, crash mapping and infrastructure assessment.

Flight planning should consider both aviation requirements and the risks associated with operating around moving traffic.

Existing Part 61 Pilots

Pilots who already hold an FAA pilot certificate under Part 61 may have a different route to obtaining their Remote Pilot Certificate.

An eligible Part 61 pilot who has completed a flight review within the previous 24 months can complete the FAA's Part 107 Small UAS Initial online training rather than taking the standard UAG examination at a testing centre.

They still need to complete the Remote Pilot Certificate application process.

This pathway recognises that conventional pilots already possess much of the aviation knowledge covered by the Part 107 examination.

They still need to learn the regulations and operational requirements specifically applicable to unmanned aircraft.

Maintaining Your Part 107 Qualification

Passing the initial test does not mean pilots can ignore recurrent training.

Remote pilots need to maintain their aeronautical knowledge recency.

The FAA currently requires Part 107 certificate holders to complete the appropriate recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months to continue exercising Part 107 privileges.

For most Part 107 pilots, this can be completed through the FAA's free online recurrent training.

This is significantly more convenient than the previous system that required recurrent knowledge testing.

Professional operators should track their training dates carefully.

Is There a Practical Flight Test?

One major difference between Part 107 and conventional pilot certification is that a first-time Part 107 applicant does not currently need to pass an FAA practical drone flight examination.

The certification process focuses primarily on aeronautical knowledge.

This does not mean practical flying ability is unimportant.

A pilot can legally obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate while having relatively little real-world drone flying experience.

Professional pilots should therefore develop their practical skills independently before accepting demanding commercial work.

Developing Practical Flying Skills

A newly certificated pilot should become comfortable with take-off, landing, hovering, orientation changes and accurate positioning.

They should understand how their aircraft behaves in wind and how battery consumption changes under different conditions.

Pilots should also understand Return-to-Home, obstacle avoidance, GNSS positioning and communication-loss procedures.

Practice should include emergency situations in controlled training environments.

The objective is to develop the ability to manage the aircraft confidently without relying entirely on automation.

Pre-Flight Planning

Professional drone pilots should establish a repeatable pre-flight process.

This begins with checking the intended location and airspace.

Weather should then be reviewed, including wind, visibility and any conditions that could affect the aircraft.

The site itself should be assessed for people, vehicles, power lines, buildings, trees, antennas and other hazards.

The aircraft, propellers and batteries should be inspected.

Remote ID status, aircraft registration and any required authorisations should also be confirmed.

Professional operations become considerably safer when these checks are performed systematically rather than informally.

Understanding Weather

Weather knowledge forms an important part of Part 107 training because small drones can be significantly affected by atmospheric conditions.

Wind speed at the surface may be very different from conditions at the aircraft's operating altitude.

Temperature can influence battery performance, while rain, fog and reduced visibility can affect both the aircraft and the pilot's ability to maintain situational awareness.

Pilots also need to understand how weather develops rather than simply looking at the current wind speed displayed by a mobile application.

For professional operations, weather assessment should become part of both planning and continuous in-flight decision-making.

Emergency Procedures

Every professional pilot should know what they will do if something goes wrong.

Potential situations include communication loss, GNSS degradation, unexpected low battery, approaching aircraft, sudden weather changes or people entering the operating area.

The pilot should understand the automated failsafe behaviour configured on the drone.

Return-to-Home settings should be appropriate for the operating environment.

Professional operators may also develop written emergency and contingency procedures for more complex projects.

Good pilots prepare for abnormal situations before they occur.

Part 107 Waivers

Some operations fall outside the standard limitations of Part 107.

The FAA provides a waiver process for certain regulations where an operator can demonstrate that the proposed operation can achieve an appropriate level of safety.

Waivers may be relevant to operations such as certain Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights, operations above normal altitude limitations or other activities that cannot be conducted under standard Part 107 provisions.

A waiver is not simply permission to ignore a rule.

The applicant needs to explain how the associated risks will be managed.

The more advanced the operation becomes, the more important formal risk assessment, procedures, equipment reliability and crew training become.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight

BVLOS is one of the most important areas for the future American drone industry.

It can enable long-distance infrastructure inspection, railway monitoring, pipeline inspection, energy applications and automated Drone-in-a-Box operations.

Standard Part 107 rules generally require visual-line-of-sight operation.

Advanced BVLOS operations therefore require an appropriate regulatory pathway, such as an applicable waiver or other FAA authorisation.

Pilots interested in BVLOS should develop knowledge beyond the basic Part 107 examination.

Communications, command-and-control reliability, detect-and-avoid considerations, contingency planning and operational risk management become increasingly important.

Flying Drones Heavier Than 55 Pounds

Part 107 primarily covers small unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds at take-off.

Larger aircraft require a different regulatory approach.

One pathway for certain civil operations involves exemptions under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and associated FAA requirements.

This is particularly relevant for larger industrial drones, heavy payload aircraft and certain delivery or specialist systems.

A standard Part 107 certificate by itself does not automatically authorise operation of every large unmanned aircraft.

Professional operators moving into heavier platforms should determine the applicable FAA certification and operational requirements before purchasing or deploying equipment.

Foreign Drone Pilots Operating in the United States

International operators need to pay particular attention to the American certification system.

The FAA currently states that it does not recognise a foreign Remote Pilot Certificate or equivalent as a substitute for the U.S. Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

A pilot arriving from Europe, the United Kingdom or another country cannot simply use their home-country drone qualification to act as the Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command.

A first-time foreign remote pilot seeking a U.S. Remote Pilot Certificate generally needs to complete the FAA process and take the initial aeronautical knowledge test at an approved testing centre in the United States.

Alternatively, an operation may be conducted under the direct supervision of an appropriately certificated U.S. Remote Pilot in Command where the Part 107 requirements for that arrangement are satisfied.

Foreign operators can also face additional aircraft and Department of Transportation requirements, so international commercial operations should be planned carefully.

Insurance for Professional Drone Pilots

Part 107 certification and insurance are separate matters.

Professional drone operators should consider appropriate aviation liability insurance based on the type of work they perform.

A pilot photographing rural property faces a different risk profile from someone inspecting industrial facilities or operating around expensive infrastructure.

Clients may also specify minimum insurance levels before allowing a drone operator onto a site.

Hull insurance can protect the aircraft itself, while liability coverage can protect against certain third-party claims.

Professional operators should therefore treat insurance as part of their overall risk-management strategy.

Becoming a Commercial Drone Pilot

Part 107 provides the legal aviation foundation, but commercial success requires additional skills.

A professional pilot should understand the industry in which they intend to operate.

A photographer needs camera and editing skills.

An inspection pilot needs to understand how to capture useful imagery of infrastructure.

A mapping pilot should understand photogrammetry, Ground Sampling Distance, coordinate systems, RTK and PPK.

A thermal operator should understand thermal measurement principles rather than simply owning a thermal camera.

Agricultural operators may need knowledge of multispectral imaging and crop analysis.

The strongest professional drone pilots combine aviation knowledge with a specialist industry skill.

Choosing a Drone Specialisation

Once Part 107 certification has been obtained, pilots can begin developing expertise in specific markets.

Commercial photography and real estate can provide an accessible starting point, although these markets can be competitive.

Infrastructure inspection provides opportunities across power lines, telecom towers, bridges, solar farms, wind turbines and industrial facilities.

Mapping and surveying applications use photogrammetry, LiDAR and precision positioning.

Agriculture can involve crop mapping, multispectral imaging and vegetation analysis.

Construction companies use drones for progress monitoring, volumetric calculations and site documentation.

Public-safety applications include search and rescue, crash scene mapping, emergency response and Drone as First Responder programmes.

Each market requires additional knowledge beyond Part 107.

A Recommended USA Drone Pilot Pathway

Someone beginning a professional drone career in the United States can follow a relatively straightforward progression.

Start by learning to fly a small drone in a safe and legal environment.

Create an IACRA account and obtain an FAA Tracking Number.

Study the Part 107 knowledge areas and prepare for the UAG examination.

Schedule the examination through an FAA-approved testing centre and pass the test.

Complete the IACRA application and obtain your Remote Pilot Certificate.

Register each drone you intend to operate under Part 107 and confirm Remote ID compliance.

Develop practical flight experience.

Learn how to obtain controlled-airspace authorisations through LAANC.

Then choose a commercial specialisation and develop the technical skills required for that industry.

Pilots interested in more advanced operations can subsequently develop experience with waivers, BVLOS, automated operations and larger aircraft.

The pathway can therefore be considered:

Learn to fly → Study Part 107 → Pass UAG → Obtain Remote Pilot Certificate → Register aircraft → Build experience → Choose a specialisation → Develop advanced operational capability.

The Future of Drone Pilot Certification in the USA

American drone regulation continues to evolve as unmanned aircraft become increasingly autonomous and integrated into the National Airspace System.

Traditional manual piloting will remain important, but many professional pilots will increasingly supervise automated missions.

Drone-in-a-Box systems can already conduct repeatable inspection and public-safety missions, while AI can assist with navigation, object detection and mission planning.

BVLOS operations will become increasingly important for utilities, railways, pipelines, logistics and emergency services.

This means the professional role will gradually change.

The future drone pilot may be responsible for supervising several automated systems, managing airspace interaction, monitoring command-and-control links and responding to abnormal conditions rather than manually controlling every movement of the aircraft.

Part 107 therefore represents the beginning of professional drone education rather than the final level.

Conclusion

For most people who want to fly drones professionally in the United States, the starting qualification is the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107.

A first-time applicant must normally be at least 16 years old, meet the FAA's English and fitness requirements and pass the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) aeronautical knowledge examination.

After passing, the applicant completes the certification process through IACRA and receives a Remote Pilot Certificate following FAA processing.

Professional pilots must also register the drones they operate under Part 107, comply with Remote ID requirements and understand airspace restrictions, LAANC, Visual Line of Sight, operating limitations and the requirements for operations at night or over people.

Aeronautical knowledge recency must be maintained through the applicable FAA recurrent training every 24 calendar months.

There is currently no FAA practical drone flight test for the standard first-time Part 107 certification pathway. This makes practical self-development particularly important.

Passing Part 107 proves that a pilot has met an important regulatory knowledge standard. Becoming a professional drone pilot requires considerably more: practical flying experience, risk management, airspace awareness and specialist knowledge of the industry in which the drone will be used.

For someone wanting to build a career in the American drone industry, Part 107 is the foundation upon which those professional skills can be built.