This fact sheet is the first in a five-part series introducing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and related core curriculum topics. Upcoming fact sheets will cover airspace, weather, safety regulations, and career opportunities in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
What Is the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate?
The certificate, issued by the FAA in the United States, allows individuals to operate small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS)—commonly known as drones—for commercial purposes. The applications for a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (which may vary in name, e.g., Part 107 Certificate, Remote Pilot Certificate, Small Unmanned Aircraft General (sUAS) Certification, FAA Part 107, or 107 License) are incredibly broad, spanning nearly every sector of the workforce. Agriculture, construction, public safety, real estate, media, and environmental monitoring are a few examples of the industries that are finding new and innovative ways to integrate drones into their operations.
The certificate serves as proof of compliance with federal regulations and opens a wide range of opportunities in the rapidly expanding field of professional drone work. This fact sheet provides a comprehensive understanding of the certificate, its importance, and the various benefits it provides to drone-based professionals.
Who Is Eligible to Take the Exam?
Individuals must meet specific criteria to be eligible to take the Part 107 exam and obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate:
- Be at least 16 years of age to receive a certificate.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and comprehend the English language.
- Be in sound physical and mental condition to safely operate a drone.
- Pass the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test, also known as the Part 107 test or the Part 107 exam.
(Code of Federal Regulations, 2025)
More importantly, aspiring pilots who are under the age of 16 can begin their studies immediately to prepare for and take the exam but then will need to wait to receive their certificate after they turn 16 years of age (Code of Federal Regulations, 2025).
What Does the Test Cover?
The Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test is a 60-question, multiple-choice exam. Each question has three answer choices (A, B, or C). The individual taking the exam needs at least a 70% score to pass, which means answering at least 42 questions correctly. The questions fall into a number of specific topic areas:
- UAS regulations and airspace classification
- weather effects and reading aviation forecasts
- drone performance and loading
- emergency procedures and crew resource management (CRM)
- safe drone operations
- interpreting aeronautical charts
- radio communication procedures
- physiological effects
- aeronautical decision-making
- maintenance/preflight inspections
- UAS regulations, airspace classification, and airport operations
- drone operations, night operations, and safety best practices
(Federal Aviation Administration, 2025)
Test prep usually takes 15–25 hours, depending on your background and study method.
How to Register for the Exam?
- Create an account and obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN)
Register on the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website (iacra.faa.gov), as “applicant.” This creates an account and an FAA tracking number (FTN), which is essential for the following steps.
- Schedule your Exam
- Find a Testing Center: Locate an FAA-approved testing center (faa.gov/faq/how-can-i-find-closest-faa-approved-knowledge-testing-center-me) in your area. The exam can be scheduled either online or by phone. The exam fee is approximately $175.
- Schedule Online: Visit faa.psiexams.com to schedule your exam. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours before the desired exam date; or
- Schedule by Phone: Alternatively, call Prometric Testing Services (PSI) at (844) 704-1487 to schedule the exam. Phone reservations also require at least 24-hours-notice. PSI registrars are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST), and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST) (Ohio Department of Insurance, n.d.).
- Exam Day
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (faa.gov/training_testing/testing/testing_matrix) to the testing center. Identification must contain a signature, date of birth, and permanent mailing address. Calculators and sectional charts are usually provided at the testing center. No other materials are allowed.
- Certification
After passing the exam, complete the remote pilot application on the IACRA website. A temporary certificate will be provided while the permanent Remote Pilot Certificate is processed.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether a student, hobbyist, or aspiring professional, learning more about drones makes sense. To find out more about drone education resources, consider connecting with local or online drone communities, and explore additional training opportunities. These opportunities can help you build hands-on skills, prepare for the FAA Part 107 exam, and connect to exciting careers in aviation, technology, and STEM. The sky is not the limit for drone operators—it is at least under 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
Resources
- The Ohio State University Westfall Drone Club, commercial remote pilot prep
(U.osu.edu/westfalldroneclub) - Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/acs/uas_acs.pdf) - Airman Testing
(faa.gov/training_testing/testing) - Become a Certificated Remote Pilot
(faa.gov/uas) - FAA Part 107 Study Guide
(faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf) - IACRA Registration
(iacra.faa.gov) - Online Sample Test Questions
(faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/test_questions/uag_questions.pdf) - PSI Test Scheduling
(faa.psiexams.com)
References
Code of Federal Regulations. (2025). § 107.61 Eligibility. National Archives and Records Administration.
ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107/subpart-C/section-107.61
Federal Aviation Administration. (2025). Become a certificated remote pilot. United States Department of Transportation.
faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot
Ohio Department of Insurance. (n.d.). Exam reservation and scheduling.
insurance.ohio.gov/agents-and-agencies/agent-education/exam-reservation-scheduling