The faa part 107 test is the knowledge exam required for anyone who wants to fly a drone commercially in the United States. Officially called the Unmanned Aircraft General — Small (UAG) knowledge test, it covers airspace classification, weather interpretation, sUAS regulations, loading and performance, and emergency procedures. You need a score of 70% or higher — 42 correct out of 60 questions — to earn your Remote Pilot Certificate. The faa part 107 practice test resources on this page mirror the actual exam format so you can build confidence before test day.
Part 107 applies to commercial drone operations: aerial photography, mapping, inspection, delivery, and any other paid or business use of a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) weighing under 55 pounds. Recreational flying under the exception rules is different — but if there's any chance of compensation or business use, Part 107 certification is mandatory. The FAA enforces this aggressively, and flying commercially without a Remote Pilot Certificate carries civil penalties.
The good news: the exam is well-defined, the subject matter is learnable with structured prep, and the free practice tests on this page cover every topic you'll encounter. Whether you're a photographer adding drone services, a real estate agent wanting aerial shots, or a mapping professional, this guide gives you everything you need to pass on your first attempt.
The faa part 107 test is administered at FAA-approved knowledge testing centers across the country — not at FAA offices or airports directly. You'll schedule and sit the exam at a PSI Services testing center (PSI acquired CATS, the previous provider). There are hundreds of locations nationwide, and you can find one by searching the PSI website or using the FAA's testing center locator. When looking for faa part 107 test locations, filter by your state and choose a date at least 1–2 weeks out to give yourself time for focused preparation.
To register, create an account on the PSI website, search for the UAG (Unmanned Aircraft General — Small) exam, and choose your preferred location and date. You'll pay the $175 fee at registration. Bring two forms of ID on test day — one government-issued with a photo. The test is administered on a computer at the testing center; you won't need your own device or internet connection.
Testing center availability varies by location. Urban areas typically have multiple options within 30 minutes. Rural areas may require more travel — plan ahead. Appointment slots fill up, especially in spring and summer when drone demand peaks. If your preferred date isn't available, check back regularly as cancellations open slots. Some test-takers also check centers in adjacent cities if their local options are full.
One practical note: PSI centers don't typically have drone-specific equipment or staff — they're general knowledge testing facilities. Don't expect aviation posters or drone displays; it's a standard computer testing room. That's fine — all the material you need comes from your prep, not the testing environment. Focus on booking a slot that gives you enough runway to complete your preparation comfortably, rather than rushing to the earliest available date without adequate study time.
Free preparation pays off on the Part 107 exam. When you take a faa practice test part 107 before the real thing, you're not just reviewing content — you're also calibrating your confidence. The actual test covers 7 topic areas, and their relative weights vary. Airspace and weather sections together account for a substantial portion of questions. Students who use faa part 107 practice test free resources consistently report that weather interpretation — especially METAR and TAF decoding — is the topic they were least prepared for going in.
METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports) and TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts) use condensed aviation shorthand that isn't intuitive if you've never seen it. The FAA tests your ability to decode real METARs: identify wind speed and direction, visibility, cloud layers, and ceiling height. Practice these until the format becomes automatic. Flash cards work well for the codes; practice problems work better for applying them in context.
The regulations strand — covering Part 107 rule text — is more straightforward. The rules are specific and well-documented in the FAA's aeronautical knowledge test supplement. Read the actual Part 107 regulations, not just summaries. Exam questions often test the precise wording of rules (e.g., the exact altitude limit of 400 feet AGL, the waiver process for controlled airspace), and paraphrased study materials sometimes miss those details.
Two supplemental resources that consistently help: the FAA's official study guide for the UAG exam (free PDF) and Jason Schappert's 107.com practice questions, which mirror FAA question styles closely.
Airspace classification is the backbone of the FAA Part 107 exam. You need to know Classes A through G — their altitude ranges, entry requirements, communication needs, and how they affect drone operations. Class B airspace surrounds major airports and requires LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) authorization or a waiver for drone flight. Class G (uncontrolled) below 400 feet AGL is the primary operating environment for most Part 107 pilots.
The regulations strand covers the core Part 107 rules: maximum altitude (400 feet AGL, or 400 feet above a structure within 400 feet of it), maximum speed (87 knots), daylight-only operations (civil twilight with anti-collision lighting), visual line of sight requirements, and the prohibition on operating over people or moving vehicles unless under a waiver. Waivers are granted by the FAA on a case-by-case basis and are not fast — plan 90+ days for waiver approvals.
Sectional charts are also tested. You need to read VFR sectional charts to identify airspace boundaries, airport reference points, and special-use airspace (restricted, prohibited, MOAs). The FAA provides sample charts in the aeronautical knowledge test supplement — practice reading those alongside your content review.
Weather is the most technically demanding section for most Part 107 candidates. The FAA tests your ability to decode METARs (current conditions reports) and TAFs (terminal forecasts), understand how weather affects sUAS performance, and identify conditions that require flight postponement. METARs report wind (direction in degrees magnetic, speed in knots), visibility (statute miles), sky condition (few/scattered/broken/overcast with cloud layer heights in hundreds of feet AGL), temperature/dew point, and altimeter setting.
Key weather concepts tested include density altitude (how heat and humidity reduce aircraft performance), wind shear effects on small aircraft, fog formation (radiation fog vs. advection fog), thunderstorm development, and icing conditions. Drones are more sensitive to these factors than manned aircraft — a 30-knot gust can overwhelm a consumer drone's flight controller, and rain degrades both battery performance and electronics.
For the exam, practice reading at least 10–15 METARs before test day. Use free aviation weather resources online to pull real METARs from airports near you and decode them manually. The FAA's aeronautical knowledge test supplement includes sample METARs used in official exam questions — those are required reading.
The loading and performance section covers how weight affects drone operation — battery endurance, climb rate, and maneuverability all degrade as payload increases. The FAA tests conceptual understanding rather than precise calculations, but you need to know that adding weight reduces flight time, decreases climb performance, and raises the risk of motor failure under stress. Center of gravity (CG) balance also affects stability; an unbalanced payload can cause unpredictable flight behavior.
Emergency procedures questions cover what to do when things go wrong: battery failure, GPS signal loss, radio link failure, and fly-away scenarios. The correct response in most emergencies is to use manual/ATTI mode if the autopilot fails, maintain visual contact, land as quickly as safely possible, and avoid overflying people. The FAA also tests understanding of lost-link procedures — what happens when a drone loses its control signal and how to configure return-to-home settings appropriately.
Physiological factors round out this section: fatigue, stress, and medication effects on pilot performance. These questions are straightforward — FAA guidance consistently emphasizes that impaired pilot performance is a real risk even in unmanned operations, and you're expected to know that flying fatigued or under the influence of medication is prohibited regardless of the aircraft being unmanned.
The faa part 107 knowledge test is a closed-book exam — you can't bring notes, reference cards, or devices. But you can bring a plotter and a calculator for any sectional chart questions (the FAA allows basic calculators). The testing center provides scratch paper. The part 107 faa practice test quizzes on this page simulate this closed-book format — work through them without looking up answers to build genuine recall rather than recognition.
Online practice is the most efficient way to identify weak spots before the real exam. Each quiz here covers a specific content strand — operational limitations, regulations, weather, performance — so you can isolate exactly where you're losing points. After completing a timed practice run, sort your wrong answers by topic. If you consistently miss METAR questions, dedicate a full study session to weather decoding. If you struggle with airspace classification, pull up a sectional chart and trace the airspace boundaries manually.
Most test-takers who prepare seriously (10–20 hours of structured study) pass on their first attempt. The exam is challenging but very learnable — the FAA publishes the exact test bank from which questions are drawn. The aeronautical knowledge testing supplement and Part 107 regulations document are both free FAA publications, and together they contain everything the test can ask.
Classes A–G, their altitude ranges, entry requirements, and how LAANC authorization works for drone flights in controlled airspace. Sectional chart reading — identifying airport reference points, MOAs, and restricted zones — is also tested.
The exact rules: 400 feet AGL altitude limit, 87-knot speed limit, daylight and civil twilight operations, visual line of sight, prohibition on overflying people, and the waiver process for restricted operations.
METAR and TAF decoding, density altitude effects, wind shear, fog formation, thunderstorm development, and icing hazards. This is consistently the most underestimated section — practice reading real METARs before your exam.
How payload weight, temperature, and humidity affect battery life and flight performance. Emergency procedures for link loss, GPS failure, and fly-away scenarios. Physiological factors affecting remote pilot judgment.
Finding the right part 107 faa test location is straightforward with PSI's online scheduler, but plan your registration at least two weeks out — popular times fill quickly. When choosing among faa part 107 testing locations, consider not just distance but also appointment availability. A testing center 45 minutes away with a slot next Thursday may be a better choice than one 10 minutes away with a three-week wait. Some test-takers check multiple nearby cities simultaneously to find the earliest slot.
On test day, arrive 15–30 minutes early to complete check-in paperwork, verify your ID, and get settled before the clock starts. The 2-hour time limit is generous for most candidates — most finish in 60–90 minutes. Use any remaining time to review flagged questions rather than rushing through. Flag any question you're uncertain about on your first pass, then return to those after completing the rest of the exam.
If you fail, you can retest after a 14-day waiting period. There's no limit on the number of attempts, and the full $175 fee applies each time. That's another reason to prepare thoroughly before your first attempt — a second test costs as much as the first. Most candidates who prepare seriously pass on attempt one; the retest rate drops significantly with adequate prep.
For candidates who prefer faa part 107 practice test online preparation, this site's free quizzes cover every tested topic — operational limitations, regulations, weather, and performance — without requiring registration or payment. Work through each set progressively: start with regulations and operational limitations (the most rule-based content), then move to weather interpretation (the most technical), then performance and emergencies. That sequence builds a logical knowledge foundation before introducing the harder material.
If you want faa part 107 practice test answers pdf format for offline review, the FAA's aeronautical knowledge test supplement is available as a free PDF download from the FAA website. It includes the actual figures, charts, and METARs used in official exam questions. Print or download this document and use it alongside the online quizzes here — the supplement is the closest thing to an official study guide for the Part 107 exam.
Answer explanations matter as much as the questions themselves. After each practice session, review the explanation for every wrong answer — and for any correct answer you weren't fully confident about. The goal isn't to memorize question-answer pairs. It's to understand the underlying rule or principle well enough to answer any variation of the question. That flexibility is what the adaptive difficulty of real exam questions tests.
The faa part 107 drone license test is officially known as the Unmanned Aircraft General — Small (UAG) knowledge test. Once you pass, you apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA's IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) system online. The certificate typically arrives by mail within 6–8 weeks, but you can download a temporary certificate from IACRA immediately after your application is accepted. You're authorized to fly commercially as soon as your application is approved — you don't have to wait for the physical card.
Each faa part 107 test center is operated by PSI Services, a private testing company contracted by the FAA. Centers are located inside office buildings, testing suites, and educational facilities — not at airports. You'll sit at a computer workstation in a supervised room with other test-takers. Scratch paper, a calculator, and a plotter are provided. The interface is straightforward: read each question, select your answer from four choices, and flag any you want to revisit before submitting.
After submitting, you receive your pass/fail result immediately. If you pass, the proctor provides a printed copy of your test results — keep this for your IACRA application. If you fail, you receive a topic-by-topic breakdown showing which areas you missed, which guides your preparation for the required 14-day retest wait.
Your Remote Pilot Certificate doesn't expire — but your privilege to fly commercially does if you don't complete the faa part 107 recurrent test every 24 months. The recurrent test was previously an online course through the FAA WINGS program, but the FAA updated the requirement: as of 2021, certified remote pilots must retake the full UAG knowledge test at a PSI testing center every 24 months to maintain currency.
The faa part 107 practice tests on this page work just as well for recurrent prep as for initial certification. The core content doesn't change dramatically between cycles, but the FAA does update regulations — review any Part 107 regulatory changes issued in the two years since your last test before your recurrent exam. FAA Safety (FAASafety.gov) publishes update summaries that highlight what's new.
When planning your prep timeline, budget for faa part 107 testing centers scheduling lead time. PSI slots can fill 2–3 weeks out in busy markets. Use that buffer productively: schedule your test date first (it creates a deadline), then work backward to plan your study sessions. Most candidates need 10–20 hours of structured preparation — 2 hours per day for 1–2 weeks gets most people to a passing score.
For faa part 107 test prep, prioritize the content areas with the most exam weight: airspace, regulations, and weather together account for roughly 60–70% of questions. Performance, loading, and emergency procedures are important but less heavily tested. If your time is limited, weight your practice sessions accordingly — heavy on airspace and weather, lighter on physiology and loading.
Many candidates also find it helpful to join online Part 107 communities (Facebook groups, Reddit r/drones) where people share current test experiences. The FAA rotates questions within the test bank — recent test-takers often note which topic areas seemed most emphasized in their sitting. This real-time intel supplements formal study materials and can help you calibrate your final week of prep.
All faa part 107 testing happens at PSI-contracted knowledge testing centers. There are approximately 700+ locations across the US, so most candidates have several options within a reasonable drive. To find the nearest faa part 107 test center near me, visit the PSI website (psiexams.com) and search for the UAG exam by ZIP code. The scheduler shows available dates, times, and seat counts at each location.
Some larger cities have multiple PSI centers — downtown testing suites, university testing facilities, and suburban office centers. Check all options in your metropolitan area, not just the first result. Slot availability and pricing don't vary by location (the $175 fee is fixed), so the only differentiating factors are distance, available appointment times, and facility comfort.
If you fail the exam, you must wait 14 calendar days before retesting. Use that time well — the PSI fail report tells you exactly which topic areas you missed. Focused prep on those specific topics in the two-week window is more effective than re-reading everything. Most candidates who fail once and then prepare specifically for their weak areas pass on the second attempt.
The drone industry continues to grow rapidly — commercial drone pilots are in demand across real estate, agriculture, construction, film, and infrastructure inspection. Earning your Part 107 certification positions you for both freelance and full-time drone work. Many certified pilots report recovering the $175 exam fee on their first commercial job. The investment in prep time and the exam fee is small relative to the earning potential the certificate unlocks.
After certification, consider specializing. Part 107 is a baseline credential — adding FAA waivers for specific operations (night flying, flights over people, beyond visual line of sight), logging flight hours, and building a portfolio of commercial work all strengthen your position. Many Part 107 pilots start with real estate photography and expand into higher-value inspection and mapping services over time.
Whatever your goal, the path starts with passing the Part 107 knowledge test. Use the free practice quizzes on this page to build the subject-matter depth the exam requires, schedule your PSI appointment with enough lead time for proper preparation, and approach test day knowing you've covered every topic the FAA can test. That combination — comprehensive practice plus scheduled accountability — is what separates first-attempt passers from those who need a second try.