Regulations
How to Get a Drone License in 2026: Every Step, Cost and Timeline
There is no flight test and no medical. There is one knowledge exam, one online form, and a set of steps most people finish inside a month.
Key takeaway
You need to be 16, able to read and speak English, and pass a 60-question knowledge test. The test costs about $175 at a PSI testing centre, and the certificate itself costs nothing.
There is no flight test, no medical certificate and no minimum flight hours. To fly a drone commercially in the United States you need one thing: an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, obtained by passing a single 60-question knowledge test. Most people finish the whole process inside a month, and the only unavoidable cost is the $175 test fee.
| Minimum age | 16 |
| Test | Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG), 60 questions, 120 minutes, 70% to pass |
| Test fee | $175, paid to the testing center, non-refundable |
| Certificate fee | None |
| Typical total time | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Medical certificate | Not required |
| Flight test | None |
Do you actually need one?
You need a Part 107 certificate if you fly a drone in furtherance of a business — which is broader than most people assume. It covers being paid, but it also covers flying to promote your own company, to inspect your own property for a commercial purpose, or to produce content that carries advertising.
You do not need one if you fly purely for fun under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations in 49 U.S.C. 44809. That route requires passing TRUST, a free online test that is not a certificate and confers no commercial privileges. If there is any commercial purpose at all, TRUST does not cover it.
Step 1 — Confirm you are eligible
14 CFR 107.61 requires that you:
- Are at least 16 years old
- Can read, speak, write and understand English (the FAA may add operating limitations if a medical reason prevents one of these)
- Do not know, or have reason to know, that you have a physical or mental condition that would interfere with safe operation
- Demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by passing the initial test — or, if you already hold a part 61 pilot certificate other than student and are current on your flight review, by completing the online training course instead
There is no citizenship requirement and no residency requirement.
Step 2 — Get an FTN through IACRA
Before you can register for the test you need an FAA Tracking Number. You get one by creating a profile in IACRA, the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system.
This takes about ten minutes and costs nothing. Write the FTN down — you need it to book the test, and again to file the application afterward.
Step 3 — Schedule the knowledge test
Tests are administered by PSI at FAA-approved knowledge testing centers. Book at faa.psiexams.com, where you can also find a free official sample test under "Exam Resources".
Practical details worth knowing before you go:
- No instructor endorsement is required. Unlike most FAA knowledge tests, you can simply book it.
- Bring government-issued photo ID. Your name must match your IACRA profile.
- The $175 is non-refundable, pass or fail.
- Availability varies enormously. Metropolitan areas often have slots within a week; rural centers can be a month out. Book before you finish studying, not after.
Step 4 — Pass the test
The UAG test is 60 scored questions plus 5 unscored validation questions, with 120 minutes and a 70 percent pass mark. You can miss 18 and still pass.
Since 29 September 2025 the subject weighting is:
| Content area | Share of the exam |
|---|---|
| Regulations | 48% |
| Operations | 25% |
| Airspace Classification and Operating Requirements | 20% |
| Weather | 5% |
| Loading and Performance | 2% |
That blueprint replaced the percentage bands published in FAA-S-ACS-10B, which the FAA has stated are now obsolete. A lot of study material has not caught up — see what changed and what it means, and the 14-day study plan built on the current numbers.
If you fail, there is a 14-day waiting period before you can retest, and you pay the fee again.
You leave with an Airman Knowledge Test Report showing your score. Keep it.
Step 5 — File FAA Form 8710-13 in IACRA
Log back into IACRA, start a new application, and complete Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate. You will need your FTN and your knowledge test details.
Submitting the application triggers TSA security vetting. This happens in the background and typically completes within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Step 6 — Print the temporary certificate, wait for the permanent one
Once vetting clears, IACRA issues a temporary remote pilot certificate you can download and print immediately. You may legally exercise the full privileges of the certificate from that moment.
The permanent plastic certificate arrives by mail, usually within six to eight weeks.
14 CFR 107.7 requires the certificate to be easily accessible during all operations. A photo on your phone is not the same as having it available; carry the temporary printout or the plastic card.
Step 7 — Register the aircraft, separately
Your certificate and your aircraft are two different registrations, and having one does not give you the other.
Every drone flown under Part 107 must be registered at FAADroneZone, regardless of weight. The under-250-gram exemption applies only to recreational flying under 44809, and a drone registered on the recreational route cannot legally be flown under Part 107.
- $5 per aircraft, valid for 3 years
- Registration is per aircraft, not per pilot — three drones means three registrations
- The registration number must be marked on the exterior surface of the aircraft
- You will need the Remote ID serial number from the manufacturer where applicable
What it actually costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test | $175 |
| Remote pilot certificate | $0 |
| Aircraft registration | $5 per aircraft, per 3 years |
| Study material | $0 to $300 depending on route |
| Minimum realistic total | $180 |
The commonly quoted "$150 to $500" range is almost entirely training cost. The regulatory cost is $180.
Keeping it
The certificate does not expire. What expires is your recency: you must complete online recurrent training every 24 calendar months to keep exercising its privileges. That training is free and takes about an hour. See what actually expires.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a drone license?
Obtain an FAA Tracking Number through IACRA, schedule and pass the Unmanned Aircraft General knowledge test at a PSI testing center, then file FAA Form 8710-13 in IACRA. After TSA vetting you can print a temporary certificate immediately, with the permanent card arriving by mail.
How much does a Part 107 license cost?
The knowledge test costs $175 and the certificate itself is free. Aircraft registration is a separate $5 per drone for three years, so the minimum realistic total is about $180 plus whatever you spend on study material.
How long does it take to get a Part 107 certificate?
Two to six weeks is typical. Studying takes most people 15 to 20 hours, testing center availability ranges from days to a month, and TSA vetting after you file the application usually clears within a few days to two weeks.
Do you need a drone license to fly for fun?
No. Recreational flying is covered by the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations, which requires passing the free TRUST test. TRUST is not a certificate and does not permit any commercial operation.
Is there a flight test for Part 107?
No. There is no practical test, no minimum flight hours and no medical certificate requirement. The entire certification is based on the knowledge test.
What is the minimum age for a Part 107 certificate?
Sixteen years old, under 14 CFR 107.61. There is no upper age limit and no citizenship requirement.
Before you book the test, find out where you actually stand. The free readiness assessment takes about fifteen minutes and breaks your score down by knowledge area — no account required.
Sources
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