North Carolina no longer has its own drone license. Since December 1, 2024, commercial pilots need only the FAA Part 107 certificate, and recreational pilots need the free TRUST certificate. State law still requires consent to launch or land on state or private property, restricts drone photos of people and private property, bans flying near prisons and limits drones in state parks.
Do you need a drone license in NC?
Not from the state. North Carolina used to require a state permit and the NCDOT UAS Knowledge Test for commercial and government pilots. House Bill 198 (Session Law 2024-15) repealed that program effective December 1, 2024. Now:
- Recreational: take the free TRUST test. Register with the FAA ($5, 3 years) if your drone is 250 g or more.
- Commercial: the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is the only license required. Older contracts that still ask for an NC permit are out of date.
- Airspace: Charlotte Douglas is Class B. Raleigh-Durham and Greensboro are Class C, and military bases such as Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune have restricted airspace. Use LAANC where needed and stay at or below 400 ft.
North Carolina drone laws
- Launch and recovery (G.S. 15A-300.2): you can't launch or recover a drone from any state or private property without consent. A road shoulder or a neighbor's driveway counts. Local governments can set rules for launching from their property.
- Surveillance and photos (G.S. 15A-300.1): drones can't be used to surveil a person, an occupied home or private property without consent, with exceptions for things like news and consented mapping. A person whose photo is published in violation can sue for $5,000 per photo or video.
- Prisons and jails (G.S. 15A-300.3): no drone flight within 500 ft horizontally or 250 ft vertically of a state or federal prison or local jail, unless you have written consent from the facility.
- Hunting: using a drone to take or harass wildlife is prohibited under state wildlife rules.
Where you can fly in North Carolina
- State parks: park rules prohibit launching or landing aircraft, including drones, without a special activity permit from park staff. Ask the park office first.
- National park units: banned at Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, and Wright Brothers National Memorial.
- National forests: Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Croatan generally allow drones outside wilderness areas and TFRs.
- Beaches: many Outer Banks beaches are NPS land, where drones are banned. Town beaches set their own launch rules. See drone fishing in North Carolina for coastal tips.
Hurricane season brings TFRs over recovery areas. Don't fly near rescue or utility aircraft.
Before you fly in North Carolina
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Get the landowner's consent for your launch spot, in writing if you can.
- Keep 500 ft from prisons and jails.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro weigh under 250 g, so recreational pilots don't need to register them. Read the statutes at the North Carolina General Assembly, and compare other states in drone laws by state.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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