Remote Pilot Certificate: The Complete Part 107 Guide
Everything a serious drone pilot needs to earn an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107 — eligibility, the knowledge test, IACRA, and recurrent training. Built for people who actually want to pass on the first try.
Minimum age
16 years old
Knowledge test
60 questions, 70% to pass
Test fee
$175 at a PSI testing center
Recurrent training
Every 24 calendar months
Certificate validity
Does not expire (currency required)
The Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating is the FAA credential that lets you fly a drone commercially in U.S. airspace under 14 CFR Part 107. If you're getting paid to fly — real estate photos, inspections, mapping, cinematography, public safety contracts — you need this certificate. Recreational flyers operate under a different rule set (49 USC §44809 + TRUST), but the moment money or business value enters the picture, Part 107 applies.
This page walks through the full process: who qualifies, what's on the test, how to apply through IACRA, what it costs, and how to stay current. The numbers and rule citations here come from the regulation itself — verify any of them at FAR 107.61, FAR 107.63, and FAR 107.65.
Who needs a Remote Pilot Certificate?
You need one if you intend to operate a small unmanned aircraft (under 55 lbs) for any non-recreational purpose. That includes:
Aerial photography or videography you sell or use to promote a business
Real estate listings, even a single shot for a brokerage
Roof, tower, solar, or pipeline inspections
Mapping, surveying, and 3D modeling
Public-safety operations (most agencies use Part 107, some use a COA)
Agriculture, including spray operations (additional Part 137 may apply)
Any flight where the data or footage produces business value
If you're flying purely for fun and following the recreational rules, you do not need a Part 107 certificate — but you do need to pass the TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test). Those are two different worlds; don't confuse them.
Eligibility under FAR 107.61
FAR 107.61 lists four eligibility requirements for the Remote Pilot Certificate. To qualify, you must:
Be at least 16 years of age
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English (with limited medical exceptions)
Be in a physical and mental condition that would not interfere with safe operation of a small UAS
Demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by either:
Passing the initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center, or
If you already hold a Part 61 pilot certificate (other than student pilot) and have completed a flight review within the past 24 months, completing the FAA's free online training course (ALC-451) on FAASafety.gov
There is no medical certificate requirement. There is no minimum flight-hour requirement. There is no logbook. The Remote Pilot Certificate is fundamentally a credential — the FAA's bar is that you understand airspace, weather, performance, and the regulations well enough not to hurt anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1How hard is the Part 107 knowledge test?
The test has a national first-attempt pass rate around 90%, but that statistic includes well-prepared candidates. Expect 60 multiple-choice questions with 2 hours to answer them, and a 70% passing score. The hardest area for most test-takers is sectional chart interpretation — identifying airspace classes, floors and ceilings, and obstacle heights. With focused study targeting the UAG ACS, most people are test-ready in 15–25 hours.
Q2Do I need a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly a drone for fun?
No. Recreational flyers operate under 49 USC §44809 and only need to pass TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test), which is free and online. The Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 is required the moment your flight has a commercial purpose — paid work, business marketing, real estate listings, or any flight that produces business value, even indirectly.
Q3How much does the Remote Pilot Certificate cost?
The FAA knowledge test costs $175 at a PSI testing center. Beyond that, costs are study materials only — anywhere from $0 for self-study to $300 for a premium prep course. Drone registration is $5 per aircraft for three years (commercial registration). Total typical out-of-pocket is $175–$475. Pilots already holding a Part 61 certificate with a current flight review can use the free ALC-451 online course instead of testing.
Adaptive questions surface your weak areas. Examiner Reed runs full ACS-coverage oral exams. Mock checkrides predict your DPE pass rate.
5 questions/day • No credit card
knowledge
The Part 107 knowledge test
The Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge test is administered by PSI at hundreds of testing centers nationwide.
Test detail
Value
Questions
60 multiple-choice
Time allowed
2 hours
Passing score
70% (42 of 60 correct)
Cost
$175
Score validity
24 calendar months from pass date
Format
Computer-based at a PSI center
What the test actually covers
The FAA publishes an Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document for the UAG. Roughly, the question bank breaks down like this:
Regulations (~15–25%) — Part 107 limits, waivers, registration, accident reporting
Airspace classification and operating requirements (~15–25%) — Class B/C/D/E/G, special use, NOTAMs, LAANC
Weather and weather sources (~11–16%) — METARs, TAFs, stability, microbursts, density altitude
Loading and performance (~7–11%) — CG, weight effects, performance in heat and altitude
Operations (~35–45%) — crew responsibilities, ADM, physiology, radio communications, airport operations, maintenance, night operations, emergencies
Night-operation questions were added when the rule was updated in 2021. Sectional chart reading is the single highest-failure topic — expect multiple questions where you must identify airspace, ceilings, or obstacle heights from a chart excerpt.
Booking the test
Create an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA — you'll need this when scheduling.
Go to faa.psiexams.com and book a UAG appointment at a nearby center.
Bring a government-issued photo ID on test day. No personal items in the testing room.
After the test, PSI prints your score report immediately. A pass moves you to the IACRA application step; a fail requires a 14-day wait before retesting.
Applying for the certificate (FAR 107.63)
FAR 107.63 governs how the certificate is actually issued. After you pass the knowledge test:
Log into IACRA (iacra.faa.gov) and start a new application for a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Enter your knowledge test exam ID. The system pulls your score from PSI (allow up to 48 hours after testing).
Sign the application electronically. This kicks off a TSA security background check, which typically clears in days but can take longer.
Once TSA clears you, the FAA emails a temporary certificate valid for 120 days. The permanent plastic card arrives by mail in 6–8 weeks.
You may operate commercially the moment your temporary certificate is issued. Carry it (digital or paper) any time you fly under Part 107.
Pilots already holding a Part 61 certificate
If you already hold a private, commercial, or ATP certificate and have a current flight review, the path is shorter and free:
Complete ALC-451 ("Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems") on FAASafety.gov
Print the completion certificate
Apply via IACRA, then visit a CFI, FSDO, DPE, or ACR in person to validate your identity and sign the application
This path skips the $175 test entirely, which is one of the genuine advantages of holding a manned-aircraft certificate.
Cost breakdown
Item
Typical cost
Knowledge test (PSI)
$175
Study materials (self-study)
$0–$150
Online prep course
$50–$300
Drone registration (per aircraft, commercial)
$5 every 3 years
Recurrent training (every 24 months)
$0 (free online ALC-677)
Total to certificate
~$175–$475
For pilots with a current Part 61 certificate using ALC-451, the cost is effectively $0.
Staying current: FAR 107.65
The Remote Pilot Certificate itself does not expire, but to exercise its privileges you must stay current under FAR 107.65. Within the previous 24 calendar months, you must complete recurrent aeronautical knowledge training.
Since 2021, recurrent training is delivered as a free online course on FAASafety.gov:
ALC-677 — Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent
Takes most pilots 1–2 hours
No proctored test, no fee
Save the completion certificate; you must present it on FAA request
Flying commercially without current recurrent training is a violation even if your plastic card is in your wallet. Set a calendar reminder for month 22 — don't let it lapse.
Operating limits you'll be tested on
Once certificated, your day-to-day operations are bounded by Part 107's operational rules. The big ones:
Max altitude: 400 ft AGL (or within 400 ft of a structure)
Max groundspeed: 87 knots (100 mph)
Minimum visibility: 3 statute miles from the control station
Cloud clearance: 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal
Daylight or civil twilight, plus night operations with anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles
One remote pilot may not control more than one aircraft at a time
No operations over people unless your aircraft and operation meet the Category 1–4 rules in Subpart D
No operations from a moving vehicle over a populated area
Controlled airspace requires LAANC authorization or a Part 107 airspace waiver
All of these are waivable under FAR 107.200 if you can demonstrate equivalent safety, but waivers take real time and a real safety case.
How GroundScholar helps with this
The Part 107 knowledge test is well-defined, which means it's beatable with focused study — and brutal if you study the wrong things. GroundScholar runs an adaptive drilling engine keyed to the UAG ACS: every question you miss feeds back into your weak areas, and sectional-chart questions get extra weight because that's where most failures happen.
When you're close to test-ready, the AI examiner runs a Part 107 mock oral that mirrors the way the FAA actually frames scenarios — airspace decisions, weather minimums, loading edge cases, and night-ops lighting requirements. Every regulatory citation it gives you is verified against the live FAR, so you're not memorizing yesterday's rule. If you pass our mock at the threshold, our pass-prediction model is calibrated against real first-attempt outcomes.
Ready to start?
The Remote Pilot Certificate is the cheapest, fastest FAA credential to earn — but only if you study the right material. Skip the 14-hour YouTube playlists. Drill the question types the FAA actually asks, in the order the ACS prioritizes them, and walk into PSI knowing you'll pass.
The certificate itself does not expire. However, under FAR 107.65 you must complete recurrent aeronautical knowledge training within the previous 24 calendar months to exercise its privileges. Since 2021, recurrent training is delivered as the free online ALC-677 course on FAASafety.gov — no proctored test, no fee. Flying commercially without current recurrent training is a violation, even if your plastic certificate looks valid.
Q5Can I get a Part 107 certificate at age 16?
Yes. FAR 107.61 sets the minimum age at 16. There is no medical certificate requirement, no flight-hour minimum, and no in-person practical test. A 16-year-old who passes the UAG knowledge test, clears the TSA security background check, and submits an IACRA application is fully eligible. This makes it one of the most accessible FAA airman certificates available.
Q6How long does it take to get the certificate after passing the test?
After passing the knowledge test, you complete the IACRA application, which triggers a TSA security background check. Most applicants receive a temporary airman certificate by email within a few days to two weeks. The temporary certificate is valid for 120 days and grants full Part 107 privileges immediately. The permanent plastic card typically arrives in the mail 6–8 weeks later.
Q7What happens if I fail the Part 107 test?
You must wait 14 calendar days before retesting, and you must pay the $175 test fee again. PSI gives you an immediate score report identifying the ACS subject areas where you missed questions, which tells you exactly what to restudy. There is no limit on the number of retake attempts. Most candidates who fail were under-prepared on sectional charts or airspace — focused remediation on those areas usually clears the second attempt.
Q8Can I fly drones commercially with my private pilot license alone?
No. Holding a Part 61 pilot certificate does not by itself authorize commercial drone operations. You still need a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. The advantage is the path: instead of paying $175 and taking the proctored test, Part 61 pilots with a current flight review can complete the free ALC-451 online course on FAASafety.gov, then apply through IACRA with an in-person identity verification by a CFI, DPE, FSDO inspector, or ACR.
Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) Guide | GroundScholar