How do I get a Part 107 drone license?
I want to start doing paid drone photography work and I know I need the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Can someone walk me through exactly what is involved, how hard the test is, how long it takes to prepare, and what happens after I pass?
5 Answers
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CertifiedPilot_Ron
Best Answer
The Part 107 process has three distinct phases. First, you study the required FAA knowledge areas: airspace classification, weather interpretation, sectional chart reading, regulations, emergency procedures, and radio communications. Second, you schedule and pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at any approved PSI or CATS testing center. The test costs $175, consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and requires a minimum score of 70 percent to pass. Most questions focus on airspace and weather. Third, you submit your application through the FAA's IACRA system online and receive a temporary certificate that is legally valid for commercial drone work immediately.
Preparation time varies. If you have no aviation background, plan for 3 to 4 weeks of focused study at around an hour a day. If you are already a manned aircraft pilot, you may only need a week. The most effective study approach is to read the FAA Remote Pilot study guide, take practice tests until you consistently score above 80 percent, then book your exam slot.
Check Part 107 Study Guides on Amazon
AirspacePro_Dana
The sections that trip up most first-time test takers are airspace classification and weather. Airspace questions require you to read sectional charts and correctly identify controlled versus uncontrolled airspace, surface areas, special use airspace, and altitude limits. Weather questions cover density altitude, wind effects, fronts, and visibility minimums.
Spend at least half your study time on these two topics. Free YouTube channels dedicated to Part 107 prep walk through sectional chart reading in a very digestible way. Supplement with the FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide PDF, which is free on the FAA website. Once airspace and weather click for you, the rest of the exam material is fairly straightforward.
SelfStudy_Kevin
I passed my Part 107 exam on the first attempt using only free resources, so paid courses are not required. The FAA Remote Pilot Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide is available as a free PDF download. Combine it with free practice tests on sites like Dauntless Aviation and you have everything you need.
I spent about 25 hours total over three weeks and scored an 88. The key is to do practice tests repeatedly and, for every wrong answer, go back to the relevant section in the study guide and understand why you got it wrong. Do not just memorize answers, understand the reasoning, because the real exam will phrase questions differently than the practice tests.
DetailOriented_Mia
One step people commonly miss: after you pass the written test, you must complete your IACRA application online within 90 days or your test results expire. Log into IACRA, create an applicant account, fill out the Remote Pilot Certificate application, and a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) or FSDO representative will review it. The process is straightforward but takes a few minutes to navigate if you have never used the system before.
Once your application is processed, you receive a temporary airman certificate by email as a PDF. That document is legally valid for commercial drone operations immediately. Your permanent plastic certificate arrives by mail about 6 to 8 weeks later. Keep the PDF saved somewhere accessible in case you are asked to show credentials on a job.
LicensedFlyer_Amy
Do not overlook the renewal requirement. Part 107 certificates must be renewed every 24 calendar months. The good news is that renewal no longer requires retaking the proctored exam. Instead, you complete a free online recurrent training course through the FAA Safety Team website. It takes about an hour and keeps your certificate current.
Set a calendar reminder for 23 months after your original test date so you have a full month to complete renewal before your certificate lapses. If your certificate expires in the middle of a commercial contract it can cause real headaches. The recurrent training is painless but it does require you to remember to do it.