What the "license" is

People say Part 107 license; the FAA calls it a remote pilot certificate. You need it to fly a drone under the Small UAS Rule, which covers commercial work such as mapping, inspections, real estate photos and paid video. You must carry the certificate whenever you fly (FAA).

Can you apply?

Under 14 CFR 107.61 you must:

be at least 16 years old;
read, speak, write and understand English;
not know of any physical or mental condition that would stop you flying safely;
pass the initial knowledge test (or, if you already hold a Part 61 pilot certificate with a current flight review, complete the FAA's online course instead).

Seven steps for first-time pilots

Step	What you do	Where
1	Create an IACRA profile to get an FAA Tracking Number (FTN)	IACRA
2	Book the knowledge test, bring government photo ID	An FAA-approved testing center, booked through PSI
3	Pass the "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small" (UAG) test	Testing center
4	Fill in FAA Form 8710-13 with your 17-digit exam ID	IACRA (the FAA says the test can take up to 48 hours to appear there)
5	Pass the TSA security background check	Automatic after you apply
6	Print the temporary certificate from IACRA	Email tells you when
7	Receive the permanent card by mail	After FAA processing

Source for all steps: FAA, become a drone pilot. The FAA's testing matrix (revised 24 April 2023) lists the UAG test at 60 questions, 2 hours and a minimum passing score of 70, and a minimum age of 14 to take it, even though the certificate itself needs you to be 16. Topics are on Part 107 test.

What it costs

Item	Cost
Knowledge test	Paid to the testing vendor when you book. The FAA pages we read list no fee; test-prep sites widely report $175, so confirm the price when booking
FAA application, TSA check, certificate	No FAA fee listed on the FAA page
Drone registration under Part 107	$5 per drone, valid 3 years (FAA)
Recurrent training every 24 months	Free online course

A study course is optional. You can study from the FAA's free sample questions and the regulation; a paid course adds structure and full practice exams.

Already a manned-aircraft pilot?

If you hold a Part 61 pilot certificate and have had a flight review in the previous 24 calendar months, you skip the test. You take the free online course ALC-451 on FAASafety.gov, complete Form 8710-13 in IACRA, and have your identity checked by a FSDO, a designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative or a flight instructor. Instructors cannot issue the temporary certificate; the others can.

After you have it

Register each drone you fly commercially, and label it with the registration number before flying.
Remote ID: the drone must broadcast it, by itself or through a module; see Remote ID.
Stay current: the certificate does not expire, but your knowledge must be refreshed every 24 calendar months. The calculator above gives your date; details on Part 107 renewal.
Know the limits: Part 107 rules at a glance.

Flying beyond visual line of sight is not allowed under Part 107 without a waiver; the planned Part 108 changes that (status).