How much does the Part 107 drone license cost?
The Part 107 test fee, what the certificate itself costs, recurrent training, drone registration and the costs people forget, with the steps in order.
Checked against the rules in force on 2026-10-01Getting a remote pilot certificate is cheaper than most people expect. The one fee you cannot avoid is the knowledge test. Everything else is either free or optional.
The knowledge test: about $175
The initial test (called UAG, Unmanned Aircraft General) is given at an FAA-approved testing center run by PSI. The fee is paid to PSI when you book and is about $175. PSI sets the price, so check the current amount when you schedule.
If you fail, you pay the fee again, and you must wait 14 calendar days before you can retake the test. That makes a failed attempt the biggest hidden cost: a second fee plus at least two weeks of delay.
The certificate: free
There is no FAA charge to apply. After you pass, you apply online in IACRA with the knowledge test ID from your score report. The TSA runs a security check, and then you can print a temporary certificate valid for up to 120 days until the plastic card arrives by mail.
You do not need an FAA medical certificate, so there is no medical exam to pay for.
Staying current: free
Your knowledge must be current within the previous 24 calendar months. The FAA's recurrent training is an online course on FAASafety.gov and costs nothing. There is no recurrent test to book.
Registering the drone: $5
Any drone flown under Part 107 must be registered with the FAA, whatever its weight. Registration is done online through FAADroneZone, costs $5 per drone, and lasts three years. The registration number must be marked on the outside of the aircraft. The drone also needs Remote ID, built in or added with a broadcast module, unless you fly only inside an FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA).
Optional costs
- Study material. The FAA's own study guide, the ACS and the figure supplement are free downloads. Paid courses and practice apps are optional.
- Travel to a testing center, and possibly time off work.
- Insurance is not required by the FAA, but clients often ask for it.
- Waivers and airspace authorizations (DroneZone, LAANC) are free.
The steps in order
- Create an IACRA profile to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
- Book the UAG test with PSI using your FTN.
- Pass the test (70%), then apply in IACRA.
- Print the temporary certificate after the TSA check.
- Register your drone and set up Remote ID.
AeroPass is a study tool and does not handle any of these steps. Check fees and procedures with the FAA and PSI before you book.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.61 · 14 CFR 107.64 · 14 CFR 107.65 · 14 CFR 107.71 · 14 CFR Part 48
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Free sample questions with a debrief for each answer.
What is the minimum age to be issued a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating?
Under Part 107, a small unmanned aircraft is one that weighs
Under 14 CFR Part 107, what is the maximum altitude for a small UA that is NOT within a 400-foot radius of a structure?
To keep exercising the privileges of your remote pilot certificate, what must you complete?
Your drone weighs 0.5 pounds (about 230 g). You use it for paid photography under Part 107. Does it need to be registered?
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