No. Part 107 doesn't require an FAA medical certificate or a medical exam. Instead, the rule is self-certification: under 14 CFR 107.17, you may not act as remote pilot, operate the controls, or serve as a visual observer if you know or have reason to know you have a physical or mental condition that would interfere with safe operation. You also need to be able to see the drone with your own eyes, corrective lenses allowed.
What the rules actually require
- Eligibility (107.61): you must not know or have reason to know of a physical or mental condition that would interfere with safe drone operation. You also need to be at least 16 and able to read, speak, write and understand English.
- Every flight (107.17): the same standard applies before each operation, to the remote pilot in command, the person on the controls, and any visual observer.
- Vision (107.31): the pilot or a visual observer must see the drone throughout the flight with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses. Glasses and contacts are fine; binoculars or the camera feed don't count for line of sight.
- Alcohol and drugs (107.27): Part 107 applies the manned-aircraft rules in 91.17 and 91.19. That means no flying within 8 hours of drinking alcohol, while under the influence, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more, or while using any drug that affects your faculties in a way contrary to safety.
Common questions
Can I fly with a condition the FAA would disqualify a private pilot for? Possibly. There's no list of disqualifying conditions for Part 107. The question is whether your condition would interfere with safe operation of a small drone. Be honest with yourself; the responsibility is yours.
Do I need perfect hearing? No hearing standard exists in Part 107, but you should be able to stay aware of the airspace around you, including approaching helicopters.
What about color vision? There's no color vision standard in Part 107. Sectional charts and drone lights use color, so know your limits and use a visual observer if needed.
Can someone with a disability get a certificate? Yes. If a medical reason prevents meeting the English language requirement, the FAA may place limitations on the certificate. Many pilots with physical disabilities fly drones; adaptive controllers and a visual observer can help.
Medications? Read the label and talk to your doctor. If a medication makes you drowsy or affects judgment, don't fly.
IMSAFE: the self-check
The Part 107 test expects you to know this checklist, and it's a good habit before every flight:
- Illness
- Medication
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Fatigue
- Emotion (or eating)
More on what the test covers in the Part 107 study guide.
Private pilots
If you're using the Part 61 path to a remote pilot certificate, you don't need a current medical for that either; you need a current flight review. See Part 107 for private pilots.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Ready to start? See Part 107 testing centers and Part 107.
Related guides
- How to look up or verify a Part 107 certificate
- How to renew your Part 107 certificate (recurrent training)
- How to update your address on your Part 107 certificate
- Flying for money: the Part 107 guide
- Free Part 107 practice test: questions like the real exam
- How hard is the Part 107 test (and how to pass the first time)?
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