Flying a drone for fun and flying one for money are two different legal worlds in the United States. The moment you accept payment, even for a single photo, the Federal Aviation Administration treats you as a commercial pilot, and the licence you need is the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. It is not a difficult licence to earn, but it is a real exam with real rules, and failing to hold it can mean fines and a grounded business. This guide explains the whole process in 2026, from eligibility to the first paid job.

Who Needs Part 107 and What It Covers

You need a Part 107 certificate if you fly a drone for any commercial purpose: real estate photos, wedding videos, inspections, mapping, agriculture, or any work where money changes hands. You do not need it for purely recreational flying, which falls under the TRUST test and the recreational rules instead. The certificate covers drones under 55 pounds, flown below 400 feet, within visual line of sight, in daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting, and not over people or moving vehicles without a waiver. It is valid for two years, after which you renew with a free online recurrent training course. The certificate belongs to you, not to your employer, so it follows you between jobs and clients.

How to Pass the Exam

The exam is a 60-question multiple-choice test taken at an FAA-approved testing centre, and you need 70 percent to pass. It covers airspace classification, weather theory, airport operations, radio communication, drone performance, regulations and crew resource management. Most people study for ten to twenty hours using a free FAA study guide or a paid prep course, and the pass rate is high for anyone who actually prepares. The test costs around $175, and you must be at least 16 years old and able to read, write and understand English. Book the test through the FAA's testing provider, bring a government ID, and expect the result the same day. If you fail, you can retake it after a short waiting period.

After the Certificate: Flying Legally for Clients

Study Tips That Actually Work

Most people who fail the Part 107 exam fail on the same two topics: airspace and weather. Airspace is the hardest part, because it requires reading sectional charts and understanding where controlled airspace begins and ends, so spend half your study time on charts alone and practise with real chart examples until the symbols feel familiar. Weather is the second trap, because the exam asks about density altitude, stable and unstable air, and the weather reports pilots actually use, which is not the forecast on your phone. Use the FAA's free study guide as the backbone, add a practice test app, and take at least three full practice exams before booking the real one. Study in short sessions over two weeks rather than cramming in a weekend, because the exam rewards recognition more than memorisation. If you score above 85 percent on practice tests, you are ready.

Passing the exam is the start, not the finish. Register every drone you fly commercially with the FAA, mark the registration number on the aircraft, and carry your certificate whenever you fly. Check airspace before every job with the FAA's B4UFLY app or a LAANC authorisation for controlled airspace near airports, which is usually approved in seconds. Get liability insurance before your first paid job, because a crash into a car or a person without insurance can end a freelance career. Keep a simple flight log with the date, location and purpose of each flight, and renew your knowledge every two years. The certificate is the cheapest business licence in aviation, and it turns a hobby drone into a real income stream.