Last Updated: September 22, 2026
For most first-time U.S. drone pilots, the Part 107 exam cost is approximately $175. That is the Knowledge Testing Center charge for the initial FAA Unmanned Aircraft General—Small (UAG) knowledge test, not the price of a drone, a business, or optional exam prep. Add $5 per aircraft when you are ready to register a drone for Part 107 operations. FAA FAQ FAA registration guidance
TL;DR: Plan on about $175 to earn the certificate through the first-time UAG path. Plan on about $180 to earn it and register one drone for Part 107 flying. Study materials range from free FAA resources to optional paid prep; Drone Launch Academy’s course is listed at $199 at this update. Verify the test-center amount when you book because the FAA describes it as approximate.
The phrase “drone license cost” can make the answer sound murky. It is clearer to separate the required certification path, the operational cost of registering an aircraft, and the optional costs of learning or building a business. That is the breakdown below.
Key Takeaways
In 2026, a first-time applicant’s unavoidable FAA knowledge-test expense is approximately $175, while a $5-per-drone registration applies when operating under Part 107. The certificate process itself does not turn the cost of a camera drone, insurance, or a business launch into a certification fee. Your study choice is separate.
- Initial test: FAA Knowledge Testing Centers charge approximately $175 for the first UAG test. Confirm the displayed amount in the PSI FAA scheduling portal before payment. FAA cost FAQ
- Minimum certificate path: A first-time applicant who self-studies can generally budget the approximate testing fee, assuming eligibility and no retest.
- Operating under Part 107: Register each drone for $5, valid for three years; the recreational under-250-gram exception does not apply to Part 107 operations. FAA registration guidance
- Staying current: FAA ALC-677 recurrent training is no-cost and must be completed within the previous 24 calendar months to operate under Part 107. FAA pilot-certification guidance
- Preparation: Free study is a real option. A paid course may add structure, practice, and support, but it is not an FAA requirement.
How much does the Part 107 exam cost in 2026?
The Part 107 exam costs approximately $175 for a first-time applicant in 2026, according to the FAA’s current FAQ. That figure is the testing-center charge for taking the initial aeronautical knowledge test, often called the UAG test. It is not a fee the FAA describes as fixed nationwide, so verify your amount during booking. FAA cost FAQ
This is the number most people mean by “FAA drone license cost,” but it does not include optional prep or aircraft registration.
| Cost layer | Typical 2026 amount | Is it required for a first-time certificate? | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial UAG knowledge test | Approximately $175 | Yes, for the standard first-time path | The in-person FAA knowledge test at an approved center FAA cost FAQ |
| FAA Remote Pilot Certificate application / TSA check | No separate fee stated in the FAA process | Required steps | IACRA application and security review after a passing test FAA pilot-certification guidance |
| Part 107 drone registration | $5 per drone / 3 years | Required to operate a drone under Part 107, not to earn the certificate | Aircraft registration in FAA DroneZone FAA registration guidance |
| Study materials | $0 to paid options | No | FAA self-study resources or optional third-party preparation |
| Business setup and equipment | Varies | No | Drone, insurance, software, marketing, and other operating choices |
The minimum certification cost is therefore different from the minimum ready-to-fly cost. Keep those labels separate when comparing offers or setting a budget.
What is the minimum cost to get a Part 107 certificate?
For a qualifying first-time pilot who uses free study materials and passes on the first attempt, the practical minimum cost to get a Part 107 certificate is approximately $175. That is the initial UAG testing charge; a drone registration becomes a separate $5 cost when you operate a specific aircraft under Part 107. FAA registration guidance
Applicants must be at least 16, obtain an FAA Tracking Number through IACRA, pass UAG, submit Form 8710-13, and complete the TSA security-check process. The FAA then provides temporary-certificate instructions before mailing the permanent card. FAA pilot-certification guidance
That estimate assumes no paid course, retest, or aircraft purchase. To certify and register one Part 107 drone, use about $180, then add any equipment you choose.
Which Part 107 costs are required, optional, or business expenses?
The UAG test is the core required cash expense for the normal first-time path; registration is required for each drone you actually fly under Part 107; prep and business spending are optional or situational. Sorting costs this way prevents a $175 certification question from becoming a vague, inflated startup total.
Required for the first-time certificate: complete the FAA process and pass UAG; no first-attempt instructor endorsement is needed. FAA testing matrix Required to operate an aircraft under Part 107: register that aircraft for $5. The under-250-gram exception applies only to qualifying recreational operations. FAA registration guidance
Optional preparation: FAA references, charts, a practice exam, or a structured course. The Drone Launch Academy Part 107 study guide can support a free self-study plan. Business expenses—equipment, insurance, software, and marketing—are separate from certification.
What does the approximately $175 exam fee include?
The approximately $175 fee is for the initial in-person UAG aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. It is not tuition, an aircraft registration, a remote pilot certificate purchase, or a bundled business license. The FAA deliberately says “approximately,” so view the booking screen as the final price check. FAA cost FAQ
The UAG is a computer-based knowledge test. FAA’s testing matrix lists 60 questions, two hours of allotted time, and a passing score of 70. It also says first-time UAG applicants need no instructor endorsement or other written authorization. FAA testing matrix
You will need an FTN before registering for the test. Start in IACRA, then use the FAA-approved PSI scheduling route. The PSI portal requires an FTN and a multifactor-authentication account. Bring a government-issued photo ID to the appointment. FAA pilot-certification guidance
What happens if you fail the Part 107 test?
A failed UAG test does not end your path to a Remote Pilot Certificate, but it requires a 14-day wait before you retest and you must present the failed Airman Knowledge Test Report. Unlike many other FAA tests, UAG retests after failure do not require an instructor endorsement. FAA testing matrix
Use the score report’s Airman Certification Standards codes to focus your review. Check the current fee before scheduling another appointment. A reset can be free: revisit FAA material and work through chart and weather questions. Drone Launch Academy’s free 60-question practice test provides a score report and repeat attempts.
Can current Part 61 pilots avoid the initial knowledge test?
Some current Part 61 certificate holders can follow a different path and may not need the first-time UAG testing-center exam, but only if they meet the FAA’s stated conditions. They must hold a Part 61 pilot certificate and have completed a flight review within the preceding 24 months. FAA pilot-certification guidance
The FAA directs qualifying pilots to complete no-cost Part 107 Small UAS Initial (ALC-451) training, apply in IACRA, and have their identity and documents validated by an eligible FAA representative. FAA pilot-certification guidance Do not assume this path from flying experience alone; confirm your own credentials and the validating party’s appointment policies.
| Applicant path | Core learning / test step | Testing-center fee | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-time applicant | In-person UAG knowledge test | Approximately $175 | Must meet first-time eligibility and pass UAG FAA pilot-certification guidance |
| Current Part 61 holder | No-cost ALC-451 online course plus identity validation | No UAG testing-center appointment in this FAA path | Part 61 certificate and flight review completed within 24 months FAA pilot-certification guidance |
Is Part 107 recurrent training really free?
Yes. The FAA lists Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent training, ALC-677, as a no-cost online course for Remote Pilot Certificate holders. To operate under Part 107, you need to have completed an approved recurrent-training option within the previous 24 calendar months, so set a reminder rather than treating the certificate as one-and-done. FAA pilot-certification guidance
This recency course does not renew aircraft registration, which remains $5 per Part 107 drone for three years. See this Part 107 renewal guide alongside FAA instructions. FAA registration guidance Part 61 pilots with a current flight review have a separate ALC-515 option.
Is the FAA Part 107 test hard?
The Part 107 test is manageable with focused study, but it can feel difficult for first-time pilots because it tests aviation knowledge rather than joystick skill. You need 70 percent on 60 questions in two hours, with topics that include airspace, weather, regulations, airport operations, decision-making, and nighttime operations. FAA testing matrix
Difficulty is personal. The useful measure is whether you can explain an answer and apply it to a chart, weather report, or scenario. Start with a baseline practice test, then use missed concepts to direct FAA study rather than memorizing a question pattern.
How long does the FAA Part 107 exam take?
The FAA allots two hours for the Part 107 UAG exam, which contains 60 questions and requires a 70 percent passing score. Most candidates should still reserve extra time around the appointment for check-in, identification, instructions, and travel, especially at an unfamiliar testing center. FAA testing matrix
The two-hour window is test time, not a study-time estimate. Book when your practice results show the topic areas are holding together. For format detail, see how many questions are on the Part 107 test.
Is the FAA Part 107 test worth taking?
Part 107 is worth taking when you plan to fly a drone for work or another operation that does not qualify as limited recreational flying, because it creates the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate path for those operations. It is less about collecting a credential and more about learning the operating rules that apply to your intended flights. FAA pilot-certification guidance
Use FAA flyer guidance to distinguish recreational flying from work. A paid shoot, inspection, mapping assignment, or business-supporting flight commonly changes the question to what rules govern the operation. The certificate does not supply customers or flight skills, but it provides a regulatory foundation for work that requires it.
How much money can you make with a Part 107 license?
A Part 107 certificate enables legal commercial drone work, but it does not set or guarantee income. Earnings depend on the service you sell, practical flight and editing skills, location, client demand, competition, equipment and insurance costs, sales effort, and how you communicate value to prospective clients.
A photographer, inspector, mapper, and event operator may use Part 107 yet have different pricing and workload. Treat online revenue claims as examples, not forecasts. Pick a service, identify buyers, and calculate costs; this guide to starting a drone business can help.
Should you use free FAA study resources or a paid prep course?
Free FAA resources can be enough for a motivated self-studier, while a paid prep course can be useful if you value a structured sequence, guided explanations, practice exams, and instructor access. Neither option changes the FAA’s UAG requirement or guarantees a particular outcome; choose the approach that helps you learn the tested material thoroughly.
A free path can use FAA knowledge areas, charts, weather resources, and repeatable practice. Start with the free 60-question practice test for a score-report baseline.
As of September 22, 2026, Drone Launch Academy lists its Part 107 course at $199 with lifetime access, five full-length practice tests, 300-plus practice questions, a 75-plus-page guide, and instructor support. Founder and chief instructor David Young is an FAA-Certified Advanced Ground Instructor, FAA-Certified Remote Pilot, and private pilot. Choose what suits your budget and learning style.
The course page also states pass-guarantee conditions, including completion of all modules, a score of at least 85 percent on a final practice exam within seven days before the FAA exam, and a refund request within 90 days. Read the current terms before relying on that offer, since program details can change. current course terms
How do you schedule the Part 107 exam?
To schedule the standard first-time Part 107 exam, create an IACRA profile for an FTN, then book the UAG test through the FAA-approved PSI system and bring government-issued photo identification. After a passing result posts to IACRA, submit the Remote Pilot application and await the TSA security check. FAA pilot-certification guidance
- Create or log in to IACRA and obtain your FTN.
- Open the PSI FAA scheduling portal, create the required MFA-enabled account, and select an approved testing appointment.
- Verify the displayed test fee before finalizing the booking; the FAA’s public FAQ says the initial fee is approximately $175. FAA cost FAQ
- Take the UAG test, then allow up to 48 hours for the 17-digit exam ID to appear in IACRA before completing Form 8710-13.
- Follow the IACRA instructions after the TSA background-check confirmation for your temporary certificate, then keep your certificate accessible when operating. FAA pilot-certification guidance
FAQ
The short answers below address the cost and scheduling questions that most often come up after a first-time pilot sees the $175 estimate. They do not replace the FAA’s official instructions, especially if your citizenship, Part 61 status, operation type, or registration situation has unusual details. Check the linked FAA pages before acting.
Is there an FAA fee to apply for the Remote Pilot Certificate after I pass?
The FAA’s first-time process describes submitting Form 8710-13 in IACRA and completing a TSA security background check after the UAG pass. It does not state a separate certificate-application charge in that process. The testing-center fee is the clearly identified initial cash cost; confirm any current transaction details with the FAA. FAA pilot-certification guidance
Do I have to register a drone before taking the Part 107 test?
No. Registration is not listed as a prerequisite to take the UAG test or apply for the certificate. However, before you fly a drone under Part 107, register that aircraft for $5. The registration lasts three years and applies even to a drone under 250 grams when it is used for Part 107 operations. FAA registration guidance
Can I take the Part 107 test online from home?
The first-time UAG knowledge test is scheduled at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center through the PSI route; it is not the same as the FAA’s online recurrent training. Plan for an in-person appointment, identification, and the testing-center procedures described by FAA and PSI. FAA pilot-certification guidance
How many questions can I miss on the Part 107 test?
The FAA matrix gives the test 60 questions and a 70 percent passing score. Because scoring details and question treatment are controlled by the FAA, do not build a plan around a precise number of misses. Aim to understand the entire tested outline and use your practice results to identify weak areas. FAA testing matrix
Do I need a paid Part 107 course to pass?
No. The FAA requires the knowledge test for first-time applicants, not a paid course or instructor endorsement. Free self-study can work well when you follow a plan and check comprehension. A paid course is an optional organizational tool, not an FAA requirement. FAA testing matrix
Does Part 107 let me fly any mission anywhere?
No. The certificate is an important qualification, but your flight must still comply with Part 107 and other applicable requirements. Airspace rules, temporary flight restrictions, registration, Remote ID where applicable, weather, location restrictions, and the details of the operation still matter. Check the FAA before each type of flight.
Sources and price-check notes
This page was checked on September 22, 2026, using the FAA pages below and Drone Launch Academy’s current course page. FAA calls the initial test fee “approximately” $175, and testing-center pricing or third-party course terms can change. Treat the booking screen and current terms as the last check before you spend money.
The FAA’s “Become a Drone Pilot” page was last updated June 9, 2026. The test matrix and registration guidance support the format, retest, and registration details above. All dollar amounts in this article are U.S. dollars.
Article By:
Share this post
