FAA Certification Guide · 2026
FAA Part 107
Complete Guide 2026
What Every Commercial Drone Operator Needs to Know — Certification, Operations, and Staying Legal
Wesley Alexander · UAVHQ Senior Test Pilot, 25+ Years uavhq.com
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02 — Overview
What Is Part 107?
The FAA's regulatory framework for commercial small UAS operations in the United States.
  • Federal framework — 14 CFR Part 107 covers all commercial drone operations under 55 lbs in the US
  • Who it applies to — any drone flight for business purposes: photography, inspections, surveys, construction monitoring, agricultural assessments
  • Core requirement — operators must hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (pass knowledge test, 70% minimum, TSA vetting)
  • Not hobby-exempt — recreational flying under Section 44809 is separate; if you're paid or building a business, you need Part 107
  • Mandatory since 2016 — updated regularly; 2023 added Remote ID requirements; 2026 framework continues to evolve
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03 — Applicability
Who Needs a Part 107 Certificate?
Commercial Use Cases
  • Real estate & construction photography/video
  • Infrastructure inspection (bridges, power lines, pipelines)
  • Land surveying & aerial mapping
  • Agricultural assessment & precision ag
  • Film & media production
  • Insurance claims & property assessment
  • Delivery operations & logistics
  • Emergency response & public safety (contract)
The "Business Use" Test
If you receive any compensation — money, trade, exposure, or in-kind — for drone services, you need Part 107. This includes:

• Posting footage to a monetized channel
• Bartering drone work for services
• Flying for your own business (no client needed)
• Charitable work if your organization is for-profit
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04 — Requirements
Remote Pilot Certificate Requirements
16+
Minimum age to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate
English
Must read, speak, write, and understand English
70%
Minimum score on FAA knowledge test (42/60 correct)
TSA
Background vetting via TSA — 2–3 week processing
Physical requirements: Must be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a small UAS. No formal medical certification required — self-certification only. If in doubt, consult an Aviation Medical Examiner.
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05 — Certification Path
The 4-Step Certification Path
01

Study — Focus on High-Weight Topics

Regulations (25%), Operations (20%), Airspace (15%), Weather (15%). Study time: 2–4 weeks. Free resources: FAA study guide, Sporty's Part 107 course, practice tests.

02

Pass the Knowledge Test — $175 at PSI Services

60 questions, 2-hour time limit, 70% (42/60) to pass. Taken at a PSI testing center (nationwide). Temporary certificate valid 120 days upon passing.

03

Apply via IACRA — FAA Form 8710-13 ($5)

Create account at IACRA.faa.gov, complete Form 8710-13. TSA vetting: 2–3 weeks. Permanent certificate mailed afterward (also available digitally).

04

Register Aircraft — FAA DroneZone ($5)

Required for aircraft over 250g (0.55 lbs). Single registration covers all your aircraft. Mark FAA registration number on each aircraft. Register at faadronezone.faa.gov.

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06 — Knowledge Test
Knowledge Test Breakdown
60 questions · 70% to pass (42/60) · 2-hour limit · $175 at PSI Services
Federal Aviation Regulations
25%
Operations
20%
Airspace Classification
15%
Weather Systems
15%
Loading & Performance
10%
Aeronautics & Aircraft Systems
10%
Human Factors
5%
Pro Tip: Regulations (25%) and Operations (20%) together account for nearly half the test. Master these first — understand why rules exist, not just what they say.
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07 — Operational Limits
2026 Operational Limits
400 ft
Max altitude AGL (or 400 ft above a structure within 400 ft)
100 mph
Maximum airspeed (87 knots indicated)
3 mi
Minimum flight visibility (3 statute miles)
Daylight
Daylight + 30 min civil twilight (without waiver)
VLOS
Visual line of sight required — unaided eye (glasses OK)
55 lbs
Maximum takeoff weight including payload
Cloud clearance: 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal. No flight over moving vehicles or people without waiver. Must yield right-of-way to all manned aircraft.
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08 — Remote ID
Remote ID: Now Mandatory
  • Effective since 2023 — all drones subject to registration must broadcast Remote ID signals
  • What it broadcasts — UAS ID, location/altitude, control station location, velocity, time stamp
  • Standard Remote ID — built into the aircraft (most drones manufactured after 2022 have this)
  • Remote ID broadcast module — add-on device for older aircraft without built-in RID
  • FAA-Recognized ID Areas (FRIAs) — limited exception for fixed sites (model clubs, education)
If Your Drone Doesn't Have Remote ID:

You must either:
1. Add a broadcast module (must be FAA-accepted)
2. Fly only at a FRIA
3. Upgrade to an RID-compliant aircraft

No workaround for operations outside a FRIA.
⚠ Enforcement note: Operating without Remote ID when required is a §107.5 violation — civil penalties apply.
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09 — Waivers
Waivers: Flying Beyond Standard Limits
Night Operations
§107.29
  • Anti-collision lighting visible 3 sm
  • Enhanced training documentation
  • Processing: 90 days typical
Operations Over People
§107.39
  • Crowd density analysis required
  • Aircraft reliability documentation
  • Insurance typically required
BVLOS Operations
§107.31
  • DAA systems required
  • Comms backup plan needed
  • 90–120 days processing
Processing times vary widely — submit well in advance. A detailed, well-documented waiver application can cut processing time significantly. UAVHQ offers waiver preparation consulting.
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10 — Resources & Next Steps
Resources & Next Steps

IACRA — Apply for Certificate

iacra.faa.gov — FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application. Create your account and complete Form 8710-13 here after passing the test.

FAA DroneZone — Register Aircraft

faadronezone.faa.gov — Register your UAS ($5, valid 3 years). Required for aircraft over 250g. Mark registration number on all aircraft.

PSI Services — Schedule Your Test

psiexams.com — Find a testing center near you and schedule your Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test ($175). Available nationwide.

FAA WINGS Recurrent Training

faasafety.gov/wings — Free online recurrent training. Certificate valid 24 months; complete recurrent training every 24 months to maintain currency.

Ready to Go Further Than Part 107?

Waiver applications, BVLOS ConOps, enterprise compliance — uavhq.com/services · uavhq.com/contact

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