FAA Part 107 Drone Certification: Test Prep & Mastery

Part 107 Scope: Who, What, When, and Limitations

Part 107 regulations establish the framework for commercial drone operations in the United States. Understanding the scope of these rules is essential for anyone seeking to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for business purposes. Let's break down the key dimensions of Part 107.

Who Needs Part 107 Certification?

The FAA considers any drone flight that promotes a business in any way or generates income to be a commercial operation. This distinction is crucial. If you're flying a drone to make money—whether directly through paid services or indirectly by supporting business operations—you are conducting a commercial flight and must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. This requirement replaced the older 333 Exemption process, which previously took four to six months to obtain.

What Does Part 107 Cover?

The Part 107 Airman Knowledge Test examines your understanding of critical operational areas:

• Airspace classification and how to navigate different airspace designations
• Weather interpretation to ensure safe flight conditions
• Regulations and operating rules specific to Part 107
• Remote ID requirements and pilot responsibilities
• Flight operations procedures and safety protocols
• Waivers and exemptions for operations that exceed standard limitations

These knowledge areas ensure pilots understand both the rules and the practical considerations for safe, legal drone operations.

When Must You Recertify?

Remote Pilot Certificates remain valid for 24 months. After this period, pilots must complete recurrent training or testing to maintain their certificate privileges. This recertification requirement keeps pilots current with evolving regulations and best practices in the rapidly advancing field of drone operations.

Key Limitations and Scope Boundaries

Part 107 establishes boundaries on when and how you can operate commercially. The test itself is 120 minutes long with 60 questions, and you need to achieve at least 70% to pass, though experienced instructors recommend aiming higher. The exam is administered at local FAA Testing Centers and requires thorough preparation to demonstrate your knowledge across all operational domains.

It's important to understand what Part 107 does not cover: recreational drone flights are governed by different rules. If you're flying for personal enjoyment without any business connection, recreational guidelines apply instead. However, the moment business benefit enters the picture—even indirect benefit—commercial rules take over.

Preparation and Testing

Aspiring commercial drone pilots should prepare by studying comprehensive materials covering all knowledge areas tested. Practice exams are valuable tools that mirror the FAA's actual test format and content, helping you identify knowledge gaps before the real exam.

Understanding Part 107's scope prevents common mistakes: operating commercially without certification, exceeding certificate validity periods, or misunderstanding which flights require certification. Clear comprehension of who needs certification (commercial operators), what knowledge is required (airspace, weather, regulations, operations), when recertification is needed (every 24 months), and the limitations of the certificate creates a strong foundation for both exam success and safe, compliant drone operations in the National Airspace System.