Part 107 is the section of the federal aviation regulations (14 CFR Part 107) that covers flying drones under 55 pounds for any non-recreational purpose. Pass one knowledge test and clear a TSA background check, and the FAA issues you a Remote Pilot Certificate — the license that makes it legal to fly for a business, a client, or even a nonprofit you're helping for free. That certificate applies to the pilot, not the drone, which is why the correct phrase is FAA-certified drone pilot.

Here's the part that surprises people: money changing hands is not the dividing line. The FAA's own examples of flying that requires Part 107 include shooting photos that help a property sell, inspecting a roof, and volunteering drone services for a nonprofit — no payment required. The free recreational test (TRUST) does not cover any of that. The FAA's guidance is blunt: when in doubt, assume Part 107.

So if you want to shoot real estate, inspect towers, film weddings, or take aerial photos to sell, this path is for you. And if what you actually need is the footage — someone else doing the flying — skip this path and read the buyer's guide to hiring a drone pilot instead.

Frequently asked questions

The FAA's test is what the flight is for at the moment you fly it, not whether money changes hands. If you launch a drone in order to sell the photos — even a one-off sale — that flight isn't recreational, and it requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for drones under 55 pounds. The free recreational TRUST test doesn't cover any commercial use, and the FAA's Recreational Flyers page spells out the distinction. If you're unsure, the FAA's default answer is Part 107.

No. There is no flight exam, no check ride, and no instructor sign-off. The only hurdle is a computer-based knowledge exam and nothing else. Whether you can fly well is on you, which is worth taking seriously before you accept paid work.

If you hold a Part 61 certificate with a current flight review, the FAA offers an alternate route, and its Become a Drone Pilot page outlines that path. My guide covers the standard first-time route — the one for people starting from zero — since that's the path most new drone pilots are on.

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