North Dakota 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. State law focuses on police surveillance and wildlife: drones are banned on Game and Fish wildlife management areas without approval, and using one to chase, harass or interfere with hunting is illegal.
Do you need a drone license in North Dakota?
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. Ag, oil field and pipeline work all count.
- Airspace: Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot have controlled airspace, and Grand Forks and Minot Air Force Bases add more. Most of the state is uncontrolled. Stay at or below 400 ft.
North Dakota state drone laws
- Surveillance (NDCC chapter 29-29.4): police drone evidence generally isn't admissible without a warrant or a recognized exception, such as border patrol within 25 miles of the border or disasters like Red River flooding. The law also says no agency may authorize a private person to use a drone to surveil another person without consent. The chapter was updated in 2025.
- Armed drones: police drones can't carry lethal weapons.
- Hunting (NDCC 20.1-01-11 and 20.1-01-31): you can't use an aircraft, drones included, to kill, chase or harass wild animals or birds. A separate law bans using an unmanned aircraft to interfere with a lawful hunt or to harass, drive or disturb wildlife.
- Critical infrastructure: North Dakota has no drone-specific overflight ban, but tampering with or damaging pipelines, plants and other critical sites is a crime.
Where you can fly in North Dakota
- Wildlife management areas: Game and Fish prohibits drones on its more than 200 WMAs unless the director authorizes it.
- State parks: drone rules are set park by park and can change with the season. Call the park office first.
- National park units: banned at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and other NPS sites.
- National grasslands: the Little Missouri and Sheyenne grasslands generally allow drones outside TFRs.
- Farmland: get the landowner's permission before launching on private land.
Before you fly in North Dakota
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Confirm you're not on a WMA.
- Keep drones away from hunters and wildlife.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
Wind and cold are the real challenges here, so keep a battery reserve and warm batteries in winter. A sub-250 g drone like the DJI Mini 5 Pro or Mini 4 Pro needs no recreational registration. See flying in cold weather, and read the statutes at the North Dakota Legislature.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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