How to Get Your FAA Part 107 Drone License in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

Updated July 2026 · Part 107 Quiz editorial team

If you plan to fly a drone for anything beyond personal fun — real estate listing photos, roof or cell-tower inspections, paid videography, mapping a job site, or even a monetized YouTube channel — the FAA requires a remote pilot certificate with a small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) rating. This is the credential created by 14 CFR Part 107, the FAA's rule set covering commercial and other non-recreational drone operations under 55 pounds. In plain terms: any flying that isn't purely for personal enjoyment needs this certificate.

The process itself is fully defined in advance. There's no in-air flight test and no examiner watching you fly — you study, pass a knowledge test, submit an application, and register your aircraft. This guide walks through each step in the order you'll actually do them, from your first FAA account to the card that eventually arrives in your mailbox.

Eligibility Requirements

Before you book a knowledge test, confirm you meet the FAA's basic requirements for a remote pilot certificate:

• At least 16 years old
• Able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• In a physical and mental condition that allows you to safely operate a small unmanned aircraft system
• Ready to pass the FAA's initial aeronautical knowledge test (commonly called the "UAG" exam) at an approved PSI testing center

If you only ever plan to fly for recreation, you don't need Part 107 at all — recreational-only flyers instead take the free TRUST test. TRUST is quicker, but it does not authorize any commercial use. If there's any paid, business, or monetized angle to your flying, Part 107 is the certificate you need.

The 7 Steps to Your Part 107 Certificate

Step 1: Create an FAA Tracking Number (FTN)

Start at IACRA (iacra.faa.gov), the FAA's online certification system. Creating an account is free, and it generates your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) — a number you'll need on hand when you register for the knowledge test. Set this up before you try to book an exam date.

Step 2: Study for the Knowledge Test

The exam draws from five general areas: regulations, airspace, weather, loading and performance, and operations. Part 107 Quiz's mock exam and topic tests on regulations, airspace, and weather are a free way to work through each area and see where you're weak. If you'd rather study away from a screen, our free 50-question practice PDF covers the same ground on paper.

Step 3: Schedule Your Exam at a PSI Testing Center

The knowledge test is given at approved PSI testing centers nationwide. The fee is set by the testing vendor, not the FAA, and currently runs around $175 — confirm the exact current price when you book, since vendor fees can change.

Step 4: Take the Knowledge Test

The test itself is 60 multiple-choice questions with a 120-minute time limit. You need a score of 70% to pass, meaning you can miss up to 18 questions and still earn your certificate. Expect questions across all five topic areas, so don't skip studying any single one of them.

Step 5: Apply with FAA Form 8710-13

Once you have a passing score, log back into IACRA and complete FAA Form 8710-13. This is the formal application that links your test result to a certificate request.

Step 6: TSA Vetting and Your Certificate

After you submit your application, TSA security vetting runs automatically in the background — there's nothing extra for you to do. You'll typically receive a temporary certificate by email within days to a couple of weeks, with the permanent plastic card following by mail sometime after that, which can take several weeks longer. Keep the temporary certificate accessible (printed or saved to your phone) as your proof of certification in the meantime.

Step 7: Register Your Drone at FAA DroneZone

Before you fly commercially, register each aircraft at FAA DroneZone. Registration costs $5 per aircraft and is valid for 3 years. Once you have a registration number, mark it on the outside of the drone somewhere it's visible.

What It Costs

Here's the full cost picture, step by step:

Requirements and fees can change, so check current details directly with the FAA before you book anything.

After You Pass: Staying Current

Your remote pilot certificate does not expire, but you do need to complete free recurrent training every 24 calendar months to keep it valid. That training is available online through the FAA Safety Team site (faasafety.gov). Night operations are covered by your current initial knowledge test or recurrent training, so there's no separate night rating you need to add.

If You Don't Pass the Knowledge Test

If you score below 70%, you can retake the exam after waiting 14 calendar days, and you'll need to pay the exam fee again. Use that waiting period well: go back through regulations, airspace, and weather practice by topic so you can target exactly what tripped you up, rather than restudying everything from scratch.

For a topic-by-topic breakdown of everything on the exam, browse the full study guide.

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