Mississippi has no state drone license. Recreational pilots need the free FAA TRUST certificate and commercial pilots need a Part 107 certificate, plus FAA registration for drones of 250 g or more. Mississippi's 2021 drone law bans recording critical infrastructure and prisons without written consent, makes drone contraband drops a felony, and its voyeurism law names drones. State parks require written permission.
Do you need a drone license in Mississippi?
Not from the state. FAA rules apply:
- Recreational: pass the free TRUST test. Register with the FAA ($5, 3 years) if your drone weighs 250 g or more.
- Commercial: a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and a registered drone.
- Airspace: Jackson and Gulfport have controlled airspace, and Keesler and Columbus Air Force Bases add military airspace. Use LAANC where needed and stay at or below 400 ft.
Mississippi state drone laws
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems Protection Act (Miss. Code 97-47-1 to 97-47-9, 2021): knowingly using a drone to surveil, collect data from, or photograph or record critical infrastructure or a correctional facility without the owner's written consent is a misdemeanor. Critical infrastructure includes refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, power plants and substations, water plants, telecom sites, ports and rail facilities.
- Contraband: delivering or trying to deliver contraband to a prison by drone is a felony with 3 to 15 years in prison.
- Voyeurism (Miss. Code 97-29-61): the law names drones among the devices you can't use to look into a bedroom, bathroom or other private space for a lewd purpose. It's a felony.
- Hunting: using aircraft to harass wildlife is prohibited, and you can't use a drone to scout or locate live game for a hunt. State rules allow drones to recover game that's already down.
- Government drones: state and local agencies must buy drones from domestic makers. This doesn't affect private pilots.
Where you can fly in Mississippi
- State parks: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks rules prohibit operating aircraft on park land or water without the Executive Director's written permission. Ask the park about a special use permit.
- Wildlife management areas: MDWFP also restricts drones on WMAs. Contact the area first.
- National park units: banned at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Vicksburg National Military Park, the Natchez Trace Parkway and other NPS sites.
- National forests: De Soto, Homochitto, Bienville, Holly Springs, Tombigbee and Delta generally allow drones outside wilderness areas and TFRs.
- Coast: many beaches along the Gulf Coast are county-managed. Check local rules.
Before you fly in Mississippi
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Get written consent before photographing plants, pipelines or prisons.
- Get permission before flying in state parks or WMAs.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro weigh under 250 g and need no recreational registration. Read the statutes at the Mississippi Legislature, and see drone laws by state for neighbors.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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