FAA Part 107 Certification: Complete Study Guide and Exam Preparation

Introduction to Part 107 Commercial Certification

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 certification establishes the regulatory framework for commercial drone operations in the United States. Whether you’re planning to offer aerial photography services, conduct infrastructure inspections, or pursue agricultural surveying, obtaining your Remote Pilot Certificate represents the essential first step toward legal commercial operation. This comprehensive guide walks through every aspect of the certification process, from eligibility requirements through examination preparation and ongoing compliance responsibilities.

Part 107 replaced the previous Section 333 exemption process in August 2016, creating a standardized pathway for commercial drone pilots. The regulation applies to unmanned aircraft systems weighing less than 55 pounds operating in uncontrolled airspace below 400 feet. Understanding this framework enables pilots to conduct commercial operations confidently while maintaining compliance with federal aviation regulations.

Eligibility Requirements

The FAA establishes several baseline requirements for Part 107 certification. Applicants must be at least 16 years old, though no maximum age limit exists. You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, as all FAA communications occur in English. Physical or mental conditions that could interfere with safe drone operation may require medical evaluation, though Part 107 does not require the medical certificates mandatory for manned aircraft pilots.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background checks screen all Part 107 applicants. This security vetting occurs automatically when you create an account in the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. Most applicants clear this check within 48 hours, though discrepancies may require additional processing time.

Existing Part 61 pilots holding current flight reviews can obtain Part 107 certification through an abbreviated process. Rather than taking the full knowledge test, these pilots complete an online training course covering drone-specific regulations. This streamlined pathway recognizes the aeronautical knowledge manned pilots already possess.

Knowledge Test Overview

The Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) knowledge test evaluates understanding across five major topic areas. Questions draw from published test guides and reference materials, assessing both factual recall and scenario-based application of regulatory knowledge. The computer-administered test presents 60 multiple-choice questions requiring minimum 70% correct responses to pass.

Regulations and airspace comprise the largest testing area, covering Part 107 operational limitations, airspace classifications, and chart interpretation. Expect questions about altitude restrictions, right-of-way rules, preflight requirements, and procedures for various airspace types. Understanding sectional chart symbology proves essential for these questions.

Weather topics address how meteorological conditions affect drone operations. Questions cover cloud types, frontal systems, stability, visibility, and weather reporting formats like METARs and TAFs. The test assumes basic understanding of atmospheric principles and their operational implications.

Loading and performance questions examine how weight, balance, and atmospheric conditions affect aircraft capabilities. While drones differ from manned aircraft in many respects, fundamental aerodynamic principles apply similarly. Expect questions about density altitude effects, wind impacts, and weight distribution considerations.

Operations topics cover practical aspects of conducting drone flights safely and legally. Questions address crew resource management, collision avoidance, emergency procedures, and airport operations. This area tests judgment and decision-making alongside factual knowledge.

Preparation Strategies

Effective preparation begins with obtaining current study materials. The FAA publishes free resources including the Remote Pilot Study Guide and Airman Certification Standards document. These official materials outline exactly what the test covers and provide authoritative reference for regulatory questions.

Commercial preparation courses offer structured learning experiences with practice questions and explanations. Providers like Gold Seal, Pilot Institute, and King Schools offer online courses ranging from basic overviews to comprehensive programs with guaranteed pass rates. Most candidates complete preparation in 10-20 hours depending on prior aviation knowledge.

Sectional chart interpretation requires dedicated practice regardless of other preparation methods. Learn to identify airspace boundaries, controlled airspace floors, and special use airspace on published charts. Practice extracting information from chart legends and supplementary publications.

Weather decoding skills prove valuable beyond the test. Practice reading METAR observations and TAF forecasts until the format becomes familiar. Understanding weather reports enables informed go/no-go decisions for actual operations, making this knowledge practically valuable alongside its test relevance.

Practice tests reveal knowledge gaps and build familiarity with question formats. Take multiple practice exams under timed conditions to build confidence and identify areas requiring additional study. Most commercial courses include extensive practice question banks.

Scheduling and Taking the Test

Knowledge testing occurs at FAA-approved testing centers operated by PSI Services. Locations include pilot training facilities, aviation colleges, and dedicated testing sites. Schedule appointments through the PSI website or by phone, typically with availability within one to two weeks depending on location.

Test fees run approximately $175 and are non-refundable. Payment occurs during scheduling, so ensure adequate preparation before committing to a test date. Some employers reimburse testing costs for employees seeking certification.

Bring government-issued photo identification matching your IACRA registration exactly. Testing centers verify identity before admitting candidates. Arrive 30 minutes early to complete check-in procedures without rushing.

The testing environment prohibits personal electronics, notes, and most calculators. Testing centers provide basic calculators and scratch paper for calculations. Sectional chart excerpts appear with relevant questions, so memorizing specific charts is unnecessary.

You have two hours to complete 60 questions, providing ample time for most candidates. Mark uncertain questions for review and return after answering confident items. Change answers only when you have specific reason to believe your initial response was incorrect.

Post-Test Procedures

Test results appear immediately upon completion. Passing candidates receive score reports showing performance by topic area. Failing candidates receive diagnostic information identifying knowledge areas requiring additional study before retesting.

Within 48 hours of passing, complete your certificate application through the IACRA system. This online portal guides applicants through required information and disclosures. Have your test report number available when creating the application.

TSA security screening occurs during application processing. Most applicants receive approval within days, though some cases require extended review. You cannot exercise remote pilot privileges until receiving TSA approval notification.

Upon approval, print your temporary certificate from IACRA. This document authorizes commercial drone operations while awaiting your permanent plastic certificate. The permanent certificate typically arrives within 6-8 weeks.

Operational Limitations

Part 107 establishes standard limitations applicable to most commercial operations. Understanding these constraints helps pilots conduct legal operations and identify situations requiring waivers or authorizations.

Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level applies throughout uncontrolled airspace. This limit ensures separation from manned aircraft operating under visual flight rules. Within 400 feet of structures, operations may occur above this altitude while remaining within 400 feet of the structure itself.

Daylight operations limit flights to 30 minutes before official sunrise through 30 minutes after official sunset. Civil twilight operations require anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles. Night operations beyond twilight require specific waiver approval.

Visual line of sight must be maintained without visual aids other than corrective lenses. The remote pilot or visual observer must see the aircraft well enough to maintain control and avoid other aircraft. Binoculars and first-person view systems cannot substitute for unaided visual contact.

Operations over people and moving vehicles are prohibited unless the persons are directly participating in the operation or protected by overhead cover. Recent rule changes create categories of drones certified for operations over people under specific conditions.

Single drone per pilot rules prevent simultaneous control of multiple aircraft. Each drone requires its own certificated remote pilot during operations. This limitation prevents attention division that could compromise safety.

Airspace Authorization

Operations in controlled airspace require prior authorization from air traffic control. The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system provides near-real-time approval for operations within published altitude grids. Most controlled airspace requests process automatically through LAANC-enabled applications.

DroneZone provides an alternative authorization pathway for operations outside LAANC-supported areas or above published grid altitudes. Manual authorization requests require additional lead time and detailed operational information. Plan extended timelines when DroneZone applications are necessary.

Temporary flight restrictions, stadium events, and other special airspace situations create additional authorization requirements. Check NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) before every flight to identify temporary restrictions affecting your operational area.

Recurrent Training Requirements

Part 107 certificates remain valid indefinitely but require recurrent training every 24 calendar months to exercise commercial privileges. Recurrent training occurs online through the FAA’s training portal at no cost. The training reviews regulatory updates and reinforces key knowledge areas.

Complete recurrent training before your currency expiration date to avoid gaps in authorization. The FAA system tracks completion and updates your certificate status automatically. Maintain records of completed training for documentation purposes.

Regulatory changes may introduce new requirements between recurrent training cycles. Stay informed about Part 107 updates through FAA publications, industry associations, and aviation news sources. Operating under outdated understanding of regulations creates compliance risk.

Waivers and Exemptions

Waiver applications enable operations outside standard Part 107 limitations when safety can be demonstrated through alternative means. Common waiver topics include night operations, flights over people, beyond visual line of sight, and increased altitude authorizations.

Successful waiver applications describe specific operational scenarios with detailed risk mitigations addressing FAA safety concerns. Generic applications without scenario-specific detail typically face rejection. Study granted waivers published on the FAA website to understand successful application strategies.

Waiver processing times vary significantly based on complexity and FAA workload. Simple night waivers may process within weeks while complex BVLOS applications can require months of review and revision. Build waiver timelines into project planning when non-standard operations are anticipated.

Conclusion

Part 107 certification opens the door to commercial drone operations across countless industries and applications. The knowledge test validates understanding of regulations, airspace, weather, and operations essential for safe flight. Thorough preparation using quality materials ensures examination success while building practical knowledge applicable to actual operations. Beyond initial certification, maintaining currency through recurrent training and staying informed about regulatory developments ensures ongoing compliance throughout your commercial drone career. The investment in proper certification protects both your business interests and the broader aviation community that shares the national airspace system.