You need an FAA Part 107 certificate if you fly a drone commercially, but recreational flying has different rules

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires different licenses depending on how you use your drone. If you fly recreationally — for fun, not for money — you register your drone and pass a knowledge test but do not need a pilot certificate. If you fly commercially — for delivery, photography, inspection, or any work that generates income — you must obtain a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.

The distinction matters because the rules, costs, and time investment differ significantly. A recreational registration takes minutes and costs $5. A Part 107 certificate requires studying, passing a written exam at an FAA-approved testing center, and costs around $175 for the exam plus study materials. Both paths start with understanding which category you fall into.

Key Takeaways

  • Recreational drone flying requires FAA registration ($5) and passing the TRUST test online, but no pilot certificate.
  • Commercial drone work requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, which involves studying the FAA test, passing an exam at an approved testing center, and paying an exam fee of around $175.
  • The Part 107 exam covers airspace rules, weather, drone mechanics, and safety — not how to fly, but how to operate legally.
  • Your Part 107 certificate lasts two years, then you renew by retaking the exam or taking a recurrent training course.
  • Some states and cities add local rules on top of FAA rules, so check your area before you fly.

Recreational drone registration and the TRUST test

If you fly a drone under 55 pounds purely for hobby or personal use, you register it with the FAA and pass the TRUST test. TRUST stands for The Recreational UAS Safety Test, and it is a free online exam you take through the FAA website or approved third-party sites like Drone Launch Academy or KnowBeforeyouFly.org.

To register your drone, go to faadronezone.faa.gov, create an account, and pay $5. The FAA issues you a registration number that you must mark on your drone with a permanent marker or label. The TRUST test takes about 30 minutes and covers airspace awareness, weather, battery safety, and where you can and cannot fly. You do not need to study — the test is designed to be passable if you read the questions carefully — but reviewing the FAA's educational materials beforehand reduces the chance of failing and having to retake it.

Once you pass TRUST, you receive a certificate you can print or save to your phone. You do not need to renew it, but your drone registration expires after three years and costs $5 to renew.

Part 107 certificate for commercial drone work

Commercial use includes any flight where you are paid, even indirectly — aerial photography for a real estate listing, inspecting a roof for an insurance company, or delivering a package all require a Part 107 certificate. You cannot legally accept payment for drone work without one, and the FAA enforces this with fines up to $27,500 for violations.

To obtain a Part 107 certificate, you must be at least 16 years old, pass a background check, and pass the FAA's written exam. The exam is called the Remote Pilot Knowledge Test, and you take it at an FAA-approved testing center — usually a local flight school, community college, or testing service like Pearson VUE. The exam costs around $175, though some testing centers charge slightly more.

You study using FAA materials or third-party study guides. The FAA publishes the Remote Pilot Study Guide for free on its website, covering airspace, weather, drone systems, regulations, and safety. Many people also use paid study apps like Drone Pilot Ground School or Prepware, which cost $20 to $60 and include practice tests. Most people spend 20 to 40 hours studying before taking the exam.

What the Part 107 exam covers and how to prepare

The Remote Pilot Knowledge Test has 60 multiple-choice questions and you have two hours to complete it. You need a score of 70 percent or higher to pass. The exam tests your knowledge of regulations, airspace, weather, drone mechanics, and safety — not your ability to fly a drone, but your understanding of the rules and conditions under which you can legally operate one.

The exam covers seven main topics: regulations and airspace (how high you can fly, where you cannot fly, what airspace requires permission), weather and atmospheric conditions, drone systems and components, performance and limitations, loading and balance, aerodynamics, and emergency procedures. You do not need to be a pilot or have any flying experience — the exam assumes you know nothing about aviation and teaches you what you need to know.

Study the FAA's Remote Pilot Study Guide chapter by chapter, take practice tests, and review any topics where you score below 80 percent. Most testing centers allow you to schedule your exam online and take it within a few days. Bring a valid government-issued ID and arrive 15 minutes early. You cannot bring notes, phones, or study materials into the testing room.

After you pass: getting your certificate and understanding the rules

Once you pass the exam, the FAA issues your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate within a few days. You can read it from the FAA's website and print it or save it to your phone. You must carry it with you whenever you fly commercially.

Your certificate lasts two years. To renew, you can either retake the full exam or take a one-time recurrent training course, which is shorter and costs less than studying for the full exam again. Many flight schools and online providers offer recurrent training courses for $50 to $150.

With your Part 107 certificate, you can fly commercially under specific rules: you must keep your drone in sight at all times, you cannot fly higher than 400 feet above ground, you cannot fly over people or moving vehicles, you cannot fly at night without a waiver, and you must follow all local airspace rules. If you want to do something outside these rules — fly at night, fly beyond visual line of sight, or fly over people — you must request a waiver from the FAA, which takes weeks and is not always granted.

State and local rules that add to FAA rules

The FAA sets the federal baseline, but your state, county, or city may have additional restrictions. Some states require a state-level drone license on top of your Part 107 certificate. Some cities prohibit drones in parks or over certain neighborhoods. Some property owners have sued to prevent drones from flying over their land, and the legal status of that right is still being decided in different states.

Before you fly, check your local government's website for drone ordinances, call your city or county planning department, and ask whether your intended flight location has any local restrictions. The FAA's B4UFLY app shows airspace restrictions and no-fly zones, but it does not show local rules — you have to research those separately. Ignoring local rules can result in fines or confiscation of your drone, even if you have a valid Part 107 certificate.

Cost breakdown and timeline

Recreational registration and testing costs $5 for registration and $0 for the TRUST test, taking about an hour total. Commercial certification costs $175 for the exam plus $20 to $60 for study materials, and takes 20 to 40 hours of study time plus the two-hour exam. Some people also pay for in-person training courses, which range from $300 to $1,000 but are optional.

The timeline for commercial certification is flexible. You can register for the exam as soon as you are ready and take it within days at most testing centers. The entire process from deciding to pursue Part 107 to holding your certificate typically takes two to four weeks if you study consistently, or longer if you study part-time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Part 107 certificate if I fly my drone at home for fun?

No. Recreational flying requires only FAA registration ($5) and passing the TRUST test (free, online). You do not need a Part 107 certificate unless you are paid for the flight or the footage, even if someone asks you to fly their drone.

What happens if I fly commercially without a Part 107 certificate?

The FAA can fine you up to $27,500 for operating a commercial drone without certification. They enforce this through reports from the public, complaints from competitors, or discovery during an accident investigation. The fine applies even if you were paid indirectly — for example, if you flew a drone to create content for a business's social media.

Can I take the Part 107 exam online from home?

No. You must take the exam at an FAA-approved testing center in person. You cannot use your own computer or proctor. Testing centers are located in most cities and allow you to schedule an exam within days.

How long does a Part 107 certificate last?

Your certificate is valid for two years. You renew by retaking the full exam or completing a recurrent training course, which is shorter and less expensive than the initial certification.

Can I fly my drone at night with a Part 107 certificate?

Not without a waiver. Part 107 rules prohibit night flying by default. You must request a waiver from the FAA, which requires submitting a detailed flight plan and safety case. Waivers take weeks to process and are not always granted.