How to Get Your Part 107 License (Step-by-Step)

Getting your Part 107 license is not complicated but the process has a few moving pieces and it helps to know what order everything happens in before you start. Here is the whole thing from beginning to end.

Step 1: Make Sure You Meet the Basic Requirements

Before anything else, check the boxes. To get a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate you need to be at least 16 years old, be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and be in a physical and mental condition that does not interfere with safe drone operation. That last one is pretty broad but it basically means no conditions that would make you a danger in the air.

There is no medical exam required. You self-certify on the application.

Step 2: Create an FAA IACRA Account

IACRA stands for Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application. It is the FAA's online system for pilot certifications. Go to iacra.faa.gov and create an account. You will need your account information when you apply for your certificate after passing the test, so set it up now and write down your login.

You will also get a tracking number called an FTN (FAA Tracking Number) when you register. You will need this when you schedule your exam, so grab it from your IACRA profile before you move to the next step.

Step 3: Study for the Knowledge Test

The Part 107 aeronautical knowledge test is 60 multiple choice questions and you need a 70% to pass. The topics it covers include airspace classification, weather interpretation, reading sectional charts, Part 107 regulations, radio communications, and emergency procedures.

Most people who pass on the first try study for two to three weeks, a few hours at a time. Weather and sectional charts are the areas that trip people up most so give those extra time. Practice questions are the best way to prepare because they force you to actually apply the material instead of just reading it.

Step 4: Schedule and Pay for the Exam

The exam is administered by PSI, an FAA-approved testing company. Go to psiexams.com to find a testing center near you and book a time. The fee is $175 and you pay when you schedule. You will need your FTN from your IACRA account when you register.

Testing centers are in most cities and towns. Some are standalone testing facilities, others are inside colleges or training centers. Check a couple of locations to find the most convenient one.

Step 5: Take the Test

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the test center. You are not allowed to bring notes, your phone, or any reference materials into the exam room. The test is on a computer, it is 60 questions, and you have two hours. Most people finish well before time is up.

When you finish you get a score report immediately. If you passed it will show your score and the topic areas where you got questions right and wrong. Hold onto this report because you will need it for the next step.

Step 6: Apply Through IACRA

Log back into your IACRA account and start a new application for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS rating. You will enter your test information and submit the application. The FAA reviews it and issues a temporary certificate electronically, usually within a few days. The physical certificate comes in the mail a few weeks later.

Your temporary certificate is valid and you can start flying commercially as soon as you have it. You do not need to wait for the physical card.

Step 7: Keep It Current

Your Part 107 certificate does not expire but you need to pass a recurrent knowledge test every 24 months to stay current. The recurrent test is free, shorter than the original, and you can take it online. Set a reminder so you do not let it lapse.

Total Time and Cost

From starting to study to holding your certificate, most people are done in three to four weeks. The exam fee is $175. Everything else, IACRA registration, the certificate itself, the recurrent test, is free. It is honestly one of the more accessible professional certifications out there.

---