A Part 107 drone license costs about $175 in required fees: the FAA knowledge test fee charged by the testing center. Registering your drone adds $5 for 3 years. The Remote Pilot Certificate itself, the FAA study materials and the recurrent training every 24 months are free. An optional prep course is the only other common cost.
The required costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unmanned Aircraft General knowledge test | About $175 | Paid to the testing provider when you book. Confirm the current fee when you schedule. |
| Remote Pilot Certificate (via IACRA) | Free | Apply online after you pass. |
| TSA security check | Free | Runs automatically after your IACRA application. |
| Drone registration (Part 107) | $5 per drone, 3 years | Required for every drone flown commercially, even under 250 g. See FAA registration. |
| Recurrent training | Free | Online, every 24 calendar months. See Part 107 renewal. |
So most new pilots pay about $180 in required fees: the test plus one drone registration.
Optional costs
- Prep course: online courses range from free videos to paid programs. You don't need one; plenty of people pass with the FAA's free study guide and practice questions. See our Part 107 study guide and practice test.
- Retake fee: if you fail, you pay the testing fee again for the retake.
- Travel: testing centers are mostly at airports and flight schools. See Part 107 testing centers.
- Insurance: not required by the FAA, but most clients ask for it. See drone insurance cost.
Already a manned-aircraft pilot?
If you hold a pilot certificate under Part 61 and have a current flight review, you don't take the knowledge test. You complete a free online course from the FAA Safety Team and then apply through IACRA. That makes the license effectively free. More in Part 107 for private pilots.
Is it worth it?
If you'll ever be paid for drone work, yes. Real estate photos, roof inspections, wedding video and content made for a business all require Part 107, and one job usually covers the cost. Flying without it when you need it can bring FAA penalties. See what happens if you fly without a license.
Flying only for fun? You don't need Part 107 at all, just the free TRUST test.
Summary of steps
- Create an IACRA profile to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
- Book and pay for the knowledge test at an approved center.
- Pass with 70% or better.
- Apply for the certificate in IACRA, free.
- Register your drone for $5.
Fees and rules current as of October 2026. Testing fees are set by the testing provider and can change, so confirm when you book. This is general information, not legal advice.
Need a drone for paid work? See our Part 107 guide or browse enterprise drones.
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