Part 107 Exam: Key Facts at a Glance
The official test is called the Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG) knowledge test, administered by PSI Exams at hundreds of approved testing centers nationwide. You must bring your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA and a valid government-issued photo ID. There is no U.S. citizenship requirement.
Before You Schedule: Get Your FAA Tracking Number (FTN)
You must create a free account at IACRA (iacra.faa.gov) to get your FAA Tracking Number before scheduling the exam. The FTN is entered when you register at the PSI portal (psiexams.com). Without it, the testing center cannot admit you. Getting the FTN takes about five minutes.
All Part 107 Knowledge Test Topic Areas
Every exam question maps to an FAA Airmen Certification Standards (ACS) task area. The topics below represent the full scope of what is tested:
Applicable Regulations (14 CFR Part 107)
Remote pilot-in-command responsibilities, required crew, visual observers, preflight duties, operating limitations, waivers, and compliance. This is the highest-frequency area.
Airspace Classification & Authorization
Class A, B, C, D, E, and G airspace. LAANC, FAA DroneZone authorization, TFRs, NOTAMs, and special-use airspace (restricted, prohibited, MOAs, MTRs).
Sectional Chart Reading
Interpreting sectional chart symbols, airport diagrams, obstacle heights (MSL vs. AGL), airspace boundaries, CTAF frequencies, and testing supplement figures. Expect multiple figure-based questions.
Aviation Weather (METARs & TAFs)
Decoding METARs and TAFs, ceilings, visibility, density altitude, stable and unstable air, fronts, thunderstorms, wind shear, microbursts, and applying weather data to go/no-go decisions.
Remote ID & Current Rules
Standard Remote ID requirements (mandatory since September 16, 2023), night operations with anti-collision lighting, operations over people (Categories 1-4), and moving vehicle rules.
Loading & Performance
How weight, temperature, humidity, and altitude affect UAS performance. Density altitude effects, battery degradation, payload limits, and center-of-gravity concepts.
Emergency Procedures
Lost link procedures, motor failures, fly-away scenarios, emergency landing decisions, and RPIC responsibilities during in-flight emergencies and equipment failures.
Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM)
ADM framework, five hazardous attitudes (anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, resignation), IMSAFE checklist, risk management, and crew resource management (CRM).
Aviation Physiology
Human factors that affect safe operations: hypoxia, hyperventilation, night vision limits, spatial disorientation, fatigue, medication, alcohol, stress, and IMSAFE.
Airport Operations
Traffic patterns, runway designations, taxiway markings, airport lighting, ATIS, communication procedures, and coordination with ATC and manned aircraft.
Maintenance & Preflight Inspection
Logbook entries, maintenance records, RPIC preflight inspection duties, airworthiness determinations, and what to do when equipment is unairworthy or Remote ID fails.
Part 107 Core Operating Rules - Quick Reference
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum altitude | 400 ft AGL (or within 400 ft of a structure, up to 400 ft above its highest point) |
| Maximum groundspeed | 100 mph (87 knots) |
| Minimum flight visibility | 3 statute miles from the control station |
| Cloud clearance - below | At least 500 ft below clouds |
| Cloud clearance - horizontal | At least 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds |
| Daylight operations | Official sunrise to official sunset (civil twilight with anti-collision lighting) |
| Night operations | Allowed - no waiver needed - with anti-collision lighting visible at 3 statute miles |
| Visual line of sight (VLOS) | RPIC or visual observer must see the UAS unaided (no binoculars) |
| Over people | Restricted - must meet Category 1, 2, 3, or 4 requirements |
| Over moving vehicles | Cannot fly over moving vehicles on public roads in non-participating areas without meeting specific conditions |
| Alcohol / drugs | No operation within 8 hours of alcohol consumption or while impaired |
| Recurrent training | Free online training at FAASafety.gov every 24 calendar months to remain current |
| Remote ID | Required on all flights - drone must broadcast Standard Remote ID or use a broadcast module |
Airspace Authorization Quick Reference
| Airspace Class | Location | Part 107 Authorization Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | 18,000 ft MSL - FL600 | Generally prohibited for UAS |
| Class B | Major airports, surface to ~10,000 ft MSL | Yes - LAANC or FAA DroneZone |
| Class C | Busy airports, ~5 NM radius, ~4,000 ft AGL | Yes - LAANC or FAA DroneZone |
| Class D | Towered airports, ~4 NM radius, ~2,500 ft AGL | Yes - LAANC or FAA DroneZone |
| Class E (surface) | Some non-towered instrument airports | Yes - authorization required |
| Class E (above 700 ft AGL) | Most of the U.S. above transition altitude | No - below 400 ft AGL is generally allowed |
| Class G | Uncontrolled airspace below Class E | No - no authorization needed |
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) provides real-time authorization in most controlled airspace. FAA-approved apps like Aloft (formerly Kittyhawk), AirMap, or B4UFLY support LAANC. Always check TFRs and NOTAMs before every flight.
Part 107 Weather Minimums
Before every flight, verify weather is at or above all three of these minimums from your control station:
- Flight visibility: 3 statute miles or more
- Vertical distance below clouds: At least 500 ft
- Horizontal distance from clouds: At least 2,000 ft
These are legal minimums. Good aeronautical decision-making usually means staying well above minimums, especially for commercial work. See the Weather & METAR Guide for how to read METARs and TAFs.
Remote ID - Required Since September 16, 2023
All drones flown under Part 107 must comply with Remote ID. A Standard Remote ID drone continuously broadcasts the drone's GPS position, altitude, velocity, and control station location during the entire flight.
- Standard Remote ID: Built-in broadcast (most drones manufactured after 2022)
- Broadcast Module: Add-on device for older drones without built-in Remote ID
- If Remote ID fails mid-flight: Land as soon as practicable
- FRIAs: FAA-Recognized Identification Areas allow flying drones without Remote ID, but only at approved sites - not applicable for most commercial Part 107 operations
Full details: Remote ID & Night Operations Guide
Recommended 7-Day Part 107 Study Plan
- Day 1 - Regulations: Read 14 CFR Part 107 (Sections 107.1-107.205). Know RPIC responsibilities, crew, preflight duties, waivers, operating limitations, and recurrent training rules.
- Day 2 - Airspace & Charts: Study all airspace classes, LAANC, TFRs, NOTAMs, and special-use airspace. Drill sectional chart symbols and testing supplement figure practice until you can identify airspace class from a chart excerpt.
- Day 3 - Weather: Decode METARs and TAFs. Understand ceilings, visibility, density altitude, fronts, thunderstorms, wind shear, and microbursts. Practice applying weather data to a go/no-go decision.
- Day 4 - Loading, Performance & Emergencies: Study how weight, heat, and humidity affect UAS performance. Learn density altitude effects, lost link procedures, and fly-away response.
- Day 5 - Airport Ops & Human Factors: Traffic patterns, runway markings, ATIS, radio communication, ADM framework, five hazardous attitudes, IMSAFE checklist, CRM, and fatigue effects.
- Day 6 - Current Rules & Review: Remote ID requirements, night operations lighting, operations over people (Categories 1-4), moving vehicle rules. Revisit any missed topics and review supplement figures.
- Day 7 - Practice Quiz & Logistics: Take a full practice quiz and review every miss. Confirm your testing center location, required documents, and arrival time. Keep review light - no new topics on Day 7.
Use the Launch107 interactive planner to track daily progress, access FAA PDFs, and take a graded sample quiz at the end of your study week.
Official FAA Study Resources (Free)
- FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide: The FAA's own free PDF guide covering all knowledge test areas - the best starting point for structured study.
- UAG Airmen Certification Standards (ACS): Lists every knowledge, risk management, and skill element tested. Use this as a checklist to confirm full coverage.
- FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide: Visual reference for every sectional chart symbol - essential for the chart questions.
- FAA Testing Supplement CT-8080-2H: The exact figure booklet provided during your test. Practice finding chart details, airport data, and legend entries before exam day.
- 14 CFR Part 107: The actual federal regulation - worth reading fully at least once for complete context.
- FAASafety.gov: Where you take the free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months after earning your certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the FAA Part 107 exam?
60 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 42 correct (70%) to pass.
What is the passing score for the Part 107 knowledge test?
70%, which means 42 out of 60 questions answered correctly.
How much does the Part 107 knowledge test cost?
$175 per attempt, paid to PSI when you schedule. There is no separate FAA fee for the certificate application itself.
Can I take the Part 107 test online?
No. The UAG knowledge test must be taken in person at an approved PSI testing center. Online practice tests can help you prepare, but the official exam is in-person only.
How long does it take to get the certificate after passing the test?
After passing, apply through IACRA within 60 days. The FAA typically issues a temporary certificate quickly upon application approval. The plastic card arrives by mail within a few weeks to a few months depending on processing times.
How often do I need to renew or recertify?
Your Remote Pilot Certificate does not expire, but you must complete the free online recurrent training at FAASafety.gov every 24 calendar months to remain legally current for commercial operations.
Is the Part 107 exam the same as the TRUST test?
No. TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) is a free, untimed, online-only test for recreational flyers. Part 107 is the in-person, $175, 60-question commercial drone exam. They are completely separate and serve different purposes.
What do I bring to the Part 107 test?
A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA. The PSI testing center provides all other materials, including the testing supplement figure booklet.
What is the minimum age for Part 107?
16 years old. You must also be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. There is no U.S. citizenship requirement.
More Part 107 Study Resources on Launch107
Disclaimer: Launch107 is an independent study tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. FAA rules and testing requirements change over time. Always verify current certification steps, operating rules, and regulations at FAA.gov before flying commercially.