If you want to fly drones commercially in the United States, there is one non-negotiable requirement: an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. No loopholes, no shortcuts. Whether you are shooting real estate, inspecting infrastructure, mapping construction sites, or providing any drone service for compensation, this certification is your legal entry point into the professional drone industry.

The encouraging part is that Part 107 is entirely achievable with proper preparation. The challenge is that the FAA treats this exam like real aviation, not a hobby quiz. You are expected to understand airspace, weather, regulations, and operational decision-making. Memorization alone is not enough. The pilots who pass consistently are the ones who study with intention and understand why the rules exist.

What Part 107 Actually Is

Part 107 refers to Part 107 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which governs small unmanned aircraft systems. These rules define how drones may be operated for non-recreational purposes and establish the standards the FAA uses to keep the national airspace safe.

Under §107.12, any commercial drone operation must be conducted by a certificated remote pilot or under their direct supervision. This requirement exists to ensure that anyone flying drones for work understands airspace structure, weather risk, emergency procedures, and operational limitations.

Holding a Remote Pilot Certificate allows you to operate drones under 55 pounds, fly during daylight or civil twilight with proper lighting, and conduct operations in controlled airspace with authorization. It also enables access to waivers for advanced operations when you can demonstrate equivalent safety.

Eligibility Requirements

Before studying, make sure you qualify. The requirements are simple but strict. You must be at least 16 years old, able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and not have any physical or mental condition that interferes with safe operation.

Language proficiency matters because you must be able to interpret weather reports, read NOTAMs, and understand regulatory guidance. Hearing or speaking impairments do not automatically disqualify you, but limitations may be placed on your certificate if safety requires it.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents. Foreign nationals can still apply but must provide additional documentation.

Unlike manned pilots, Part 107 does not require an FAA medical exam. However, you are responsible for self-assessing fitness before every flight. If medication, fatigue, illness, or impaired vision could affect safety, you must ground yourself.

Understanding the Knowledge Test

The Part 107 knowledge test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions administered at FAA-approved testing centers. You have two hours to complete it and must score at least 70 percent, meaning 42 correct answers.

The exam fee is approximately $175 and is non-refundable. If you fail, you must wait 14 days before retesting and pay the fee again. While the national pass rate sits around the high 80 percent range, many pilots pass by slim margins. Preparation quality makes the difference.

The exam follows the FAA Airman Certification Standards and focuses on five core areas:

Regulations:
This is the largest section. You must know Part 107 rules in detail, including altitude limits, visual line-of-sight requirements, operations over people, accident reporting, and certificate responsibilities.

Airspace:
You will be tested on airspace classifications, how to read sectional charts, and when authorization is required. Expect questions that require identifying Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace and understanding how airports and airspace boundaries are depicted.

Weather:
Weather questions are fewer but often challenging. You must decode METARs and TAFs, understand visibility and cloud clearance requirements, and recognize hazardous conditions that affect drone performance.

Loading and Performance:
These questions cover weight, balance, and how performance limitations affect flight. The principles apply even though drones differ from manned aircraft.

Operations:
This category includes crew resource management, emergency procedures, airport operations, radio communications, and maintenance responsibilities. Many questions are scenario-based and test judgment rather than memorization.

How to Study Effectively

For pilots without an aviation background, this exam requires real study time. Cramming is not enough. Most successful candidates spend 15 to 20 hours preparing.

Structured learning works best. The FAA provides free study guides, but they are dense and technical. Many pilots benefit from structured prep courses that break topics into manageable segments using visuals, practice questions, and explanations. High-quality programs consistently produce pass rates well above the national average.

Regardless of the resources you choose, certain study priorities are critical.

Learn Sectional Charts Early:
Chart reading is one of the most difficult topics for new pilots. These charts are dense with symbols and color codes that are unfamiliar at first. Do not save this for last. Study charts regularly and keep the FAA Chart User’s Guide nearby while practicing.

Practice Weather Interpretation Daily:
METARs and TAFs compress a large amount of information into coded strings. You must be able to extract wind, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dew point, and altimeter settings quickly. Use real-world reports from FAA weather sources to build familiarity.

Take Practice Exams Seriously:
Practice tests reveal weaknesses and prepare you for exam pacing. Take one early to establish a baseline, then use additional exams to track improvement. When your practice scores consistently exceed 85 percent, you are likely ready.

Prioritize High-Value Topics:
Regulations, airspace, and weather make up a large portion of the exam. Focus your deepest effort here before spending time on less frequently tested material.

The Certification Process

Once you are ready, the certification process follows a clear sequence.

First, create an account in the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system and obtain your FAA Tracking Number. This number stays with you throughout your aviation career.

Next, schedule your exam through an FAA-approved testing center operated by PSI. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

On test day, bring valid government-issued photo ID that exactly matches your IACRA profile. The test is computer-based, includes digital reference materials, and allows ample time. Read carefully, mark difficult questions for review, and do not rush.

You receive your score immediately. Keep the Airman Knowledge Test Report provided by the testing center.

After passing, log back into IACRA and submit your Remote Pilot Certificate application using Form 8710-13. Enter your knowledge test ID and submit the application with the required processing fee.

The TSA will conduct a background check automatically. This usually takes two to four weeks. Once approved, you will receive a temporary certificate valid for 120 days, followed by your permanent certificate in the mail.

Maintaining Your Certification

Your certificate does not expire, but your privileges do. Every 24 months, you must complete the FAA’s online recurrent training to remain current. This training is free, takes a few hours, and covers regulatory updates, weather, operations, and safety practices.

Failing to complete recurrent training means you are no longer authorized to fly commercially.

Operating Under Part 107

Certification is only the beginning. To operate legally, you must also register your drone, comply with Remote ID requirements, and follow all Part 107 operating limitations.

Drone registration costs $5 and is valid for three years. Remote ID compliance is mandatory unless flying within a recognized identification area.

Operational rules include a 400-foot altitude limit, visual line-of-sight requirements, minimum visibility and cloud clearance, yielding to manned aircraft, and restrictions on operations from moving vehicles. Certain missions require FAA waivers.

Maintaining flight logs, registration records, and copies of your certificate is not required, but it is strongly recommended. Professional record-keeping protects you and demonstrates credibility.

Final Thoughts

The FAA Part 107 certificate opens the door to a rapidly expanding industry. But the real value of the certification is not the piece of plastic. It is the judgment framework it gives you. The airspace rules, weather interpretation skills, and operational limitations you study are tools you will use on every flight.

Approach your preparation seriously. Invest the time to understand the material rather than barely passing. The effort you put in now pays off across your entire career as a professional drone pilot.

Welcome to professional aviation. Fly safely, fly legally, and build something that lasts.