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Part 107 study · Certbound

How to get a drone license under Part 107

For most non-recreational small-drone flying in the U.S., the "drone license" is the FAA's Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. The FAA's recreational-flyer guidance distinguishes this from flying purely for personal enjoyment. First-time applicants pass the UAG knowledge test, apply through IACRA and complete TSA vetting before receiving a temporary certificate, as the FAA certification instructions explain.

Who needs a Part 107 license?

Part 107 is the path for most non-recreational flying with a small drone. The FAA lists property-sale photography, roof inspections and photographs for a school's website as examples. Payment is not the only deciding factor; volunteer work can also be non-recreational.

For flights purely for fun, read Do you need a drone license? before booking the UAG test. The FAA has a separate recreational exception with its own requirements. Specialized operations may use other rules, as the same FAA page explains.

What are the eligibility requirements?

The FAA's first-time pilot instructions require you to:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Be able to read, speak, write and understand English.
  • Be in a physical and mental condition to fly a drone safely.
  • Pass the initial Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge test.

Already hold a Part 61 pilot certificate? Check the separate path below before paying for a UAG appointment.

How do you get an FTN through IACRA?

Create a profile in the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system to obtain your FAA Tracking Number (FTN). The FAA instructions put this before knowledge-test registration. The PSI UAG bulletin, page 2, gives the same instruction for applicants who do not already have an FTN.

Use the cost and booking guide for the booking sequence and identification requirements.

Where do you book the test, and what does it cost?

Book Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) through the PSI FAA portal. Its FAQ lists the Airman Knowledge Test fee as $175, checked October 20, 2026. The UAG bulletin, page 2, explains how to choose a testing location, date and time.

The $175 is the examination fee. Confirm the current total with PSI before paying. See Part 107 test cost and booking for test-center, ID and rescheduling details. For preparation, use the Part 107 study guide and Certbound's free Part 107 practice test.

What score do you need to pass?

The PSI UAG bulletin, page 4, specifies 60 scored questions plus 5 unscored validation questions, 2 hours (120 minutes) and a 70% passing score. After a failed test, the same page requires a 14-day wait before retesting.

A result on a practice set is not a passing examination result. The practice page separates the FAA's published sample questions from Certbound's answers and explanations.

How do you apply after passing the test?

Follow the FAA's IACRA application instructions to complete FAA Form 8710-13:

  1. Sign in to IACRA and choose Start New Application.
  2. Choose application type Pilot and certification Remote Pilot, then follow the application prompts.
  3. Enter the 17-digit Knowledge Test Exam ID when prompted. FAA says the test result may take up to 48 hours to appear in IACRA.
  4. Sign electronically and submit the application for processing.

Passing the test comes before this application; it does not itself issue the certificate.

What happens during TSA vetting and certificate issuance?

The FAA instructions say you will receive a confirmation email after completing the TSA security background check. That email explains how to print your temporary remote pilot certificate from IACRA.

FAA mails the permanent certificate after its remaining processing is complete. AC 107-2A, Appendix D.1.1 identifies the permanent remote pilot certificate as a plastic card. Keep your certificate available whenever you fly, as the FAA instructions require.

How long does it take to get a drone license?

Allow for studying, finding a test appointment and application processing. The FAA instructions say the test result may take up to 48 hours to reach IACRA. TSA vetting must then finish before the temporary-certificate email, and the permanent card follows after FAA processing.

Those are separate steps, not a promise of a certificate within 48 hours. Use the temporary-certificate instructions you receive from FAA rather than treating your test report as a license.

What do you need to do every 24 calendar months?

The FAA requires recurrent training every 24 calendar months to maintain aeronautical knowledge recency. It lists Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (ALC-677) as a no-cost online course for Part 107 certificate holders, regardless of their current recency.

Read Part 107 renewal and recurrent training for the FAA course link and the distinction between the certificate and knowledge recency. Certbound practice does not complete the FAA course.

Is there a different path for Part 61 pilots?

Yes. The FAA's Part 61 instructions describe a training path for pilots with a flight review completed within the previous 24 months. AC 107-2A, section 6.4.2 excludes student pilot certificates from this path.

Eligible pilots complete Part 107 Small UAS Initial (ALC-451), apply through IACRA using Form 8710-13, and have their identity and documents validated by an FAA-authorized representative. FAA lists the eligible representatives and required documents in its instructions; a flight instructor can process the application but cannot issue a temporary certificate.

The ALC-451 course page confirms that this is initial training for eligible Part 61 pilots. It is different from ALC-677 recurrent training.

FAA and PSI primary sources checked October 20, 2026. Certbound is a practice tool, not an FAA affiliate, testing center or certificate issuer.

Practice in Certbound

Start with the 46 published FAA sample questions. Certbound supplies the answers, explanations and cited sources. The app is not affiliated with the FAA.