Part 107 Drone Pilot Certificate Guide
The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is the FAA license required to fly drones (sUAS) for commercial purposes in the US. This guide covers eligibility, the knowledge test, costs, and career options for certified drone pilots.
What is Part 107?
Part 107 of Title 14 CFR is the FAA regulation governing commercial drone operations. The Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) authorizes you to fly drones under 55 lbs for any purpose - including paid work - within the regulation’s operational limits.
Operational limits (Part 107 basics)
- Maximum altitude: 400 ft above ground level (or higher within 400 ft of a structure)
- Maximum airspeed: 100 mph
- Visual line-of-sight required at all times
- Daylight + civil twilight with anti-collision lighting
- Maximum weight: 55 lbs (including payload)
- No flying over people without special waiver or Category 1-4 compliance
- Class B/C/D/E airspace requires LAANC authorization
Eligibility
- Age 16+
- Read, speak, write, and understand English
- Physically and mentally fit to safely operate sUAS
- Pass the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test
No FAA medical, no flight hours, no prior aviation experience required.
The knowledge test
- 60 multiple-choice questions
- 2-hour time limit
- 70% minimum score to pass
- $175 fee at an FAA-approved testing center (PSI)
Topics include:
- Regulations (Part 107 and applicable Part 91)
- Airspace classification (Class A, B, C, D, E, G, Special Use)
- Weather sources, METAR/TAF reading
- Loading and performance
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication procedures
- Emergency procedures
- Aeronautical decision-making
- Effects of drugs/alcohol on performance
Prep options
| Resource | Cost |
|---|---|
| Self-study with FAA materials | Free (PDFs from faa.gov) |
| Online course (Pilot Institute, Drone Pilot Ground School, King Schools) | $50 - $250 |
| Live ground school | $150 - $400 |
Renewing Part 107
Every 24 calendar months, complete a free online recurrent training course on the FAA Safety Team (FAAST) website. No retest required.
Career options
- Aerial real estate photography - $100-$500 per shoot
- Construction monitoring - $200-$2,000 per session
- Agricultural mapping (NDVI, multispectral) - $300-$1,500 per acre survey
- Infrastructure inspection - cell towers, power lines, bridges, wind turbines
- Public safety support - search and rescue, fire reconnaissance
- Wedding and event coverage - $300-$1,500
- Mapping and surveying - $1,000-$10,000+ per project (with photogrammetry skills)
Income varies widely. Full-time drone operators in specialized niches (inspection, mapping) report $60,000-$120,000+. Beginners and part-timers earn $5,000-$30,000 in supplemental income.
See Drone & Part 107 articles for deep-dives on specific jobs and equipment.
Frequently asked questions
What does Part 107 cover?
Commercial operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) weighing less than 55 lbs. Covers aerial photography, surveying, inspection, mapping, agriculture, real estate, and emergency response.
#What are Part 107 requirements?
Age 16+, ability to read/speak/write English, physical and mental condition to safely operate sUAS, pass the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test ($175). No medical certificate or flight hours required.
#How much does it cost to get Part 107?
$175 for the knowledge test plus $50-$200 for prep materials. Total: $225-$375. Much cheaper than PPL or CPL.
#How long does Part 107 take?
2-6 weeks of self-study for most candidates. Some online courses promise 15-20 hours of preparation.
#What jobs are available with Part 107?
Real estate aerial photography, construction site monitoring, agricultural mapping, infrastructure inspection (cell towers, power lines, bridges), wedding/event videography, mapping/surveying, public safety support.
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