You passed the test. Now what? This page covers the exact sequence from the moment you walk out of the testing center to the day your permanent card lands in your mailbox, including the 90-day window, what TSA vetting actually is, and what to do if things stall.
The moment you pass the Part 107 knowledge test, you are eligible to operate under Part 107 — but you do not yet have a physical card in your pocket. What you have is a temporary Remote Pilot Certificate, which is a PDF document you download from your IACRA account. It carries your name, your Remote Pilot number (the same number that will appear on your permanent card), and an expiration date exactly 90 days from the day you passed the test.
This is not a placeholder or a waiting room. The temporary certificate is a fully valid operating document. If an FAA inspector, a law enforcement officer, or a client asks to see your authorization, you show them this PDF on your phone. It has the same privileges as the permanent card for the 90 days it is valid.
The most common mistake people make is thinking they need to wait for the physical card before they can fly. They do not. The day you pass the test, you can legally operate under Part 107, provided all other requirements (registration, Remote ID, airspace authorization where needed) are met.
The sequence is short but specific:
1. You complete the knowledge test at an approved testing center (or via the online option if available for your exam). The testing center submits your result to the FAA on the spot. 2. Within a few hours to a couple of days, log into your IACRA account at the FAA's Integrated Airman Certificate and Rating Application portal. Your account is the same one you used to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) before the test. 3. You will see your passed test result reflected in the account. From there, you can download the temporary Remote Pilot Certificate as a PDF. 4. Save it to your phone and your computer. Print a copy if you want a paper backup.
If you do not see the result in your IACRA account within 48 hours, contact the testing center first — occasionally a submission glitch means the result was not transmitted. If the center confirms it was sent, the FAA's processing queue is the next bottleneck.
One thing to verify: make sure your name, date of birth, and address on the IACRA record match your government-issued ID exactly. A mismatch here is a common and easily avoided cause of delay, because TSA vetting cross-references these details.
While you are flying (or not flying) on your temporary certificate, two things are happening behind the scenes:
**TSA vetting.** The Transportation Security Administration runs a background check on you. This is not a criminal background check in the way a security clearance works — it is a vetting process to confirm your identity and screen against known threat indicators. You do not submit anything for this step. It is triggered automatically when the FAA processes your application. You will not receive a letter asking you to provide fingerprints or documents. If you get a letter asking for additional information, treat it seriously and respond promptly, but it is rare.
**FAA certificate issuance.** After TSA vetting clears, the FAA's airmen records system generates your permanent Remote Pilot Certificate and sends it to the mailing address on file in IACRA.
The entire process typically completes within 60 to 90 days. In practice, most people receive their permanent card in 4 to 8 weeks. The 90-day validity of the temporary certificate is designed to cover this window with a small buffer.
Why does it take this long? The FAA processes thousands of Part 107 applications daily. The TSA vetting step is automated but still moves through a queue. There is no expedited option for this step.
Your permanent card is a physical plastic card, similar in size to a driver's license. It includes your name, photo, Remote Pilot number, issue date, and expiration date. Part 107 certificates expire after 24 months, at which point you must complete a recurrent training course (or re-pass the knowledge test) to renew.
A few practical notes:
- The card is mailed to the address you have on file in IACRA. If you moved after applying, update your address in IACRA immediately. The card will go to the old address and you will lose time finding it. - You should carry the card (or a photo of it) whenever you are operating under Part 107. You do not need to carry it in the cockpit of a fixed-wing aircraft the way a pilot must carry a physical certificate in a helicopter, but you should be able to produce it on request. - The Remote Pilot number on the card is the same number that was on your temporary certificate. If a client or insurer asks for it, it is consistent across both documents.
The card does not replace your drone registration. Those are separate requirements. You still need your drone registered in the FAA's drone registration system, and you still need Remote ID compliance if your aircraft is required to broadcast it. The certificate authorizes you to operate; it does not authorize the aircraft.
This is rare but it happens. The temporary certificate expires on a fixed date — it does not auto-extend. If the 90 days elapse before your permanent card arrives, you are technically no longer holding a valid certificate, even though the delay is not your fault.
What to do:
1. Log into IACRA and check the status of your application. If it still shows as 'in process,' note the date and any status text. 2. Contact the FAA's Airmen Certification Branch. You can reach them through the contact information on the IACRA portal. Provide your FTN and the date you passed the test. 3. In most cases the FAA will issue a new temporary certificate or confirm in writing that your application is still pending, which you can carry as proof of good standing.
Prevention is easier than remediation. The single best thing you can do is make sure your IACRA address is current before you pass the test, and again in the first week after. A card sent to a wrong address is a card you cannot find, and the 90-day clock does not pause for postal delays.
- **Not downloading the temporary certificate immediately.** Some testing centers tell you 'you'll get it in the mail.' You will not, at least not right away. The temporary certificate is only available as a PDF from IACRA. Download it the same day or the next.
- **Assuming the permanent card will arrive at your work address.** It goes to the address on file in IACRA. If that is your home address and you are traveling for work, plan accordingly.
- **Letting the drone registration lapse during the 90-day window.** Your drone registration is separate and has its own expiration. If your registration expires before your permanent card arrives, you are not in compliance even if your pilot certificate is valid.
- **Forgetting that the certificate does not exempt you from airspace restrictions.** You still need an LAANC authorization or a traditional Part 107 airspace authorization to fly in controlled airspace. The certificate gets you through the door; it does not open the airspace.
How long is the Part 107 temporary certificate valid?
90 days from the date you passed the knowledge test. It is a fully valid operating document for that entire period. After it expires, you must be holding the permanent card (or a new temporary certificate issued by the FAA) to legally operate under Part 107.
Can I legally fly with just the temporary certificate?
Yes. The temporary Remote Pilot Certificate carries the same legal authority as the permanent card for the 90 days it is valid. An FAA inspector or law enforcement officer must accept it. You do not need to wait for the physical card to begin operating.
What is TSA vetting and do I need to do anything for it?
TSA vetting is a background screening the Transportation Security Administration runs as part of the FAA's certificate issuance process. It is triggered automatically when your test result is submitted. You do not submit fingerprints, documents, or forms for this step. In the vast majority of cases it completes without any action on your part. If the TSA flags something, you will receive a letter with specific instructions.
How long does the permanent card take to arrive after passing the test?
Most applicants receive it within 4 to 8 weeks. The 90-day validity of the temporary certificate is designed to cover the full processing window. If it has not arrived by day 60, check your IACRA account status and confirm your mailing address. If it has not arrived by day 85, contact the FAA's Airmen Certification Branch with your FTN.
Does the temporary certificate have a photo?
No. The temporary certificate is a PDF with your name, Remote Pilot number, issue date, and expiration date. It does not include a photograph. If someone asks for photo ID along with your certificate, show your government-issued ID separately. This is normal and expected.
This page was corrected after review.