Getting your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate involves three distinct phases: setting up your identity with the FAA, passing the aeronautical knowledge test, and completing your application for the certificate. Most people finish the whole process in two to three weeks if they study consistently. Here is exactly what happens at each stage, why it exists, and what to bring with you.
You must be at least 16 years old, able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and not be disqualified from exercising pilot privileges by the FAA. If you already hold a recreational pilot certificate or any other FAA pilot certificate (private, commercial, etc.), you can skip the knowledge test entirely and apply directly for the Remote Pilot Certificate with a lower-level certificate. This is one of the most common shortcuts people miss.
If you do not already hold an FAA pilot certificate, you will need to pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test for the Remote Pilot category. You do not need a student pilot certificate, a medical examination, or any prior flight time. The system is designed so that someone with no aviation background can prepare in a few weeks of study.
You will also need a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are a U.S. citizen, a driver's license or state ID works. If you are a non-citizen, you will need a passport or other acceptable identification that IACRA recognizes. The identification you provide at the testing center must match what you used when you created your IACRA account, so set up the account with the same document you plan to bring on test day.
Your FTN is a unique identifier that links your test result to your certificate application. Without it, the FAA cannot connect the score report from the testing center to the person applying for the certificate. Think of it as the glue between step two and step three of the process.
You create your FTN through IACRA, the FAA's online portal for pilot certificates. The process is free and takes about ten minutes. You will enter your personal information, create a username and password, and the system assigns your FTN immediately. Write it down or save it somewhere you will find it on test day, because you will be asked for it at the check-in counter.
A few practical notes. First, make sure the name on your IACRA account matches your government ID exactly, including middle name or initial. Mismatches are the most common reason a test result gets rejected at check-in. Second, if you are using a name that is different from your legal name (a nickname, a professional name, etc.), use your legal name in IACRA and bring the ID that shows that legal name. Third, the FTN is tied to your identity, not to a specific test, so you can reuse it for multiple attempts or for other certificate applications later.
You can create your FTN at any time before your test. There is no waiting period and no fee. The page where you do this is IACRA.
The knowledge test is administered at FAA-approved testing centers, not by the FAA directly. The FAA sets the content and passing standard; the testing center handles scheduling, the physical location, and the fee. You can find a testing center near you through the FAA's directory of approved locations at FAA: Knowledge Testing Centers.
The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering airspace, weather, operations limitations, regulations, and aeronautical decision-making. You need a 70% score (42 correct answers) to pass. You have two hours to complete it. The questions are drawn from a question bank that the FAA publishes, so you can practice with the actual question set before test day.
The testing center sets its own fee, which typically ranges from about around $175 (centers commonly charge $150 to $200). This is not an FAA fee; it goes to the testing organization. If you fail, you must wait 14 calendar days before you can retake the test, and you will pay the fee again. Some centers allow you to review the questions you missed on the spot, which is the best immediate feedback you will get.
For preparation, the FAA's official study guide and the published question bank are the two documents that matter. Most candidates who study the question bank thoroughly and understand the reasoning behind each answer pass on the first attempt. You do not need a flight instructor or a formal course, though some people find a structured course helpful for organization. The knowledge is straightforward if you give it a few weeks of focused attention.
Arrive at the testing center with your government-issued photo ID and your FTN. You do not need to bring a printed confirmation of your appointment, though it does not hurt. The check-in process typically takes five to fifteen minutes. The proctor will verify your ID, confirm your FTN, and have you sign in. They may ask you to state your full name and date of voice to confirm identity.
Once checked in, you will be seated at a computer. The test is untimed in the sense that you can move through questions at your own pace, but the two-hour clock is running. You can mark questions to review later, change answers before submitting, and see how many questions you have remaining. When you submit, the system tells you immediately whether you passed or failed. If you passed, you receive a temporary operator authorization (a printed or digital document) that is valid for 90 days while you wait for your permanent certificate. If you failed, you can usually review your missed questions right then, which is valuable because it shows you exactly where your gaps are.
The whole visit typically takes 30 to 60 minutes including check-in and the test itself. There is no oral exam, no practical flight, and no additional interview. The knowledge test is the only evaluation for the Remote Pilot Certificate.
Passing the test does not give you a certificate by itself. You must submit a certificate application through IACRA. This is a separate step that many first-time applicants overlook, which means they sit on a 90-day temporary authorization longer than necessary.
Log into your IACRA account, select the Remote Pilot application, and fill in the required information. You will reference your test result (the system should pull it automatically if your FTN matches). There is no application fee. After you submit, the FAA processes the application and issues your permanent certificate, typically within a few weeks. You will receive it by mail as a physical card.
Until the permanent card arrives, your temporary operator authorization is your proof of eligibility. Carry it with you when you fly, just as you would carry the permanent card. It is legally sufficient for the 90-day window.
You can manage your application, check its status, and view your certificate details at IACRA.
Your Remote Pilot Certificate is valid for two years. After that, you must complete a recurrent training course or pass the knowledge test again to renew it. The FAA has moved toward a two-year recurrent training requirement rather than a full retest, but the exact mechanism and whether a new test is required depends on when your certificate expires and what the FAA has in effect at that time. Check the current requirements on the FAA's official page before your expiration date.
You must also keep your certificate current with respect to any changes in the rules. The FAA periodically issues updates to the knowledge requirements, and if significant changes are made, existing certificate holders may be required to complete an update course. The FAA will notify you, but it is your responsibility to stay current.
One final practical note: your certificate is personal and non-transferable. If you are working for a company, the company does not need its own certificate; you need yours. If you are lending your drone to a friend, they need their own certificate to operate it commercially. The certificate follows the person, not the aircraft.
The most frequent failure pattern: showing up underprepared on the airspace and weather sections. The test draws heavily on reading charts, understanding TFRs, and knowing the operational limits around people and moving vehicles. People who treat it like a trivia quiz fail; people who practice reading NOTAMs and interpreting sectional charts pass. Second mistake: not bringing a valid photo ID. 'Valid' means unexpired and government-issued. A gym membership card or a digital photo on your phone will not work. Third: assuming the FTN is permanent. It expires after 60 days and you have to regenerate it. Fourth: booking a test center that requires you to arrive at a physical location when you could have found one with a more convenient schedule or a lower fee. Compare before you commit.
Do I need a medical examination to get the Part 107 certificate?
No. Unlike a private pilot certificate, the Remote Pilot Certificate does not require a medical exam of any level. You do not need a first-class, second-class, or third-class medical. The only physical requirement is that you are able to read, speak, write, and understand English. This is one of the reasons the Part 107 pathway is accessible to people who might not qualify for a traditional pilot certificate.
How long does the entire process take from start to finish?
If you study the question bank for two to three weeks, book a test within a few days of feeling ready, and submit your IACRA application the day you pass, the whole process typically takes three to five weeks. The longest variable is your study time. The FTN is instant, the test appointment is usually available within a few days to a couple of weeks depending on location, and the permanent certificate arrives by mail within a few weeks of your application. The 90-day temporary authorization covers you in the meantime.
What happens if I fail the knowledge test?
You must wait 14 calendar days before you can retake it. You will pay the testing center's fee again. The most useful thing you can do at the moment of failure is review the questions you missed, because the system shows you which ones you got wrong and what the correct answer was. That immediate feedback is more valuable than any study guide. Most people who fail on the first attempt pass on the second after reviewing their missed questions and studying those specific topics.
Can I fly commercially the day I pass the test?
Yes, but only with your temporary operator authorization. The moment you pass the test and receive the printed or digital temporary authorization, you are legally cleared to conduct commercial operations under Part 107. You do not need to wait for the permanent card to arrive. Just carry the temporary authorization with you and be prepared to show it to a law enforcement officer or FAA inspector if asked.
Do I need to register my drone separately from getting the certificate?
Yes. Drone registration and pilot certification are two separate requirements. The certificate authorizes you to operate; registration identifies the aircraft. If you are flying a drone that weighs more than 0.55 pounds (249 grams) for any purpose, or any drone for commercial operations regardless of weight, the drone must be registered. You do this through the FAA's drone registration system at FAA DroneZone. The registration is tied to the aircraft, not to you, so a company with five drones needs five registrations even if one pilot flies all of them.
How long is my FTN valid?
60 days from the date IACRA generates it. If you don't pass the knowledge test within that window, you need to log back into IACRA and start a new application to get a fresh FTN. The process takes about five minutes.
What's the passing score?
70%. The exam is 60 questions, so you can miss up to 18 and still pass. Most testing centers will tell you your exact score and which topics you missed on the spot.
This page was corrected after review.