Veterans can often use GI Bill benefits to get reimbursed for the Part 107 knowledge test fee, which is about $175, if VA has approved that test for reimbursement. The FAA's study guide and practice materials are free, so many veterans earn the certificate for little or nothing out of pocket. Some colleges also offer drone programs approved for VA education benefits.
GI Bill reimbursement for the test
VA's licensing and certification benefit can pay you back for tests required for a job that needs a license or certification, up to $2,000 per test, including registration and administrative fees. Key points from VA:
- Approved tests only. VA covers tests approved for the GI Bill. Use VA's search tool for licensing and certification tests to check whether the FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) knowledge test is listed. If it isn't, VA says it may still be a valid test that hasn't been approved yet, and encourages you to apply for reimbursement anyway.
- It uses entitlement. VA charges your entitlement based on the amount it reimburses.
- Paperwork: submit VA's reimbursement form with a copy of the receipt for the testing fee and a copy of your test results.
- Who's eligible: VA lists the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty and Selected Reserve, and other education programs. Check your own benefit.
- Retakes: VA's rules on paying for retests and recertification are on its test fees page.
VA won't pay fees to get the actual certificate document, but the FAA doesn't charge for the Remote Pilot Certificate anyway.
Prep courses
VA can also pay for prep courses tied to approved licensing tests, prorated against your entitlement. That only works if the test itself is approved, so check that first.
Military pilots
If you hold an FAA pilot certificate under Part 61 and have a current flight review, you can skip the knowledge test entirely: take the free online ALC-451 course and apply in IACRA. A military pilot rating alone doesn't automatically count; it has to be an FAA civil certificate. See Part 107 for private pilots.
Free study options
- FAA Remote Pilot study guide and Airman Certification Standards, free on faa.gov.
- The testing supplement with the charts used on the exam, also free.
- FAASafety.gov courses, free for everyone.
- Our own Part 107 study guide and practice test.
Plenty of people pass with free material alone in two to four weeks. See how hard is the Part 107 test.
College programs
Some community colleges and universities run unmanned aircraft programs approved for VA education benefits. Use VA's GI Bill comparison tool to find approved programs and what they cost. A degree or certificate program is a bigger commitment, but it can cover mapping, inspection and data skills employers want.
Where veterans use drone skills
Public safety, utility and infrastructure inspection, mapping and surveying, agriculture, construction and media all hire Part 107 pilots. Many of those jobs also need specific platforms and thermal or mapping experience. See best thermal drone and enterprise drones.
Benefits current as of October 2026. This is general information. VA decides eligibility; check VA's test fees page.
Start with the basics: Part 107 and Part 107 cost.
Related guides
- Free Part 107 practice test: questions like the real exam
- How to renew your Part 107 certificate (recurrent training)
- US drone laws explained: the FAA rules every pilot needs (2026)
- Best drone mapping software (free and paid): DJI Terra, DroneDeploy, Pix4D and more
- Best drone video editing software and apps (free and paid)
- Best thermal drone (2026): DJI options compared
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