Where Can I Take the FAA Part 107 Test? Complete Guide to Test Locations & Prep 2026 July

If you've been asking yourself where can I take the FAA Part 107 test, the answer starts with the FAA's network of PSI and CATS-approved testing centers spread across all 50 states. These third-party proctored facilities administer the Unmanned Aircraft General — Small (UAG) knowledge test, which is the official exam required to earn your Remote Pilot Certificate.

With hundreds of locations nationwide, most applicants find a center within 50 miles of home, and many metropolitan areas have multiple options to choose from. Start by visiting the FAA's DroneZone portal or the PSI testing website to search available sites and open appointment slots near your ZIP code. An faa part 107 practice test is one of the best ways to gauge your readiness before booking your seat.

The Part 107 knowledge test is not administered at FAA offices, airports, or DMV locations — it lives exclusively inside designated testing centers that hold contracts with the FAA. PSI Services LLC is currently the primary testing vendor, having absorbed the older CATS network. These centers offer standardized computer-based testing environments with individual workstations, scratch paper, a basic calculator, and an aeronautical chart supplement booklet. The exam itself is 60 questions drawn from a large FAA question bank, and you'll have two hours to complete it, though most well-prepared candidates finish in 60 to 90 minutes.

Choosing the right test location matters more than many candidates realize. A center that is close to home reduces travel stress on exam day, but you should also verify that the facility has recent positive reviews for equipment reliability and proctor professionalism. Some urban testing centers process dozens of candidates per day and run like well-oiled machines; smaller suburban sites may feel quieter. Either way, all PSI-affiliated centers deliver the same official FAA exam with identical scoring criteria and the same 70% passing threshold — meaning 42 correct answers out of 60 questions.

Scheduling is straightforward once you know where to look. Visit PSI's scheduling portal, create an account, select the UAG exam code, and enter your city or ZIP code to browse available test dates and times. Appointments can often be booked as little as 24 hours in advance, though popular metropolitan centers sometimes have wait times of one to two weeks. If you need a fast turnaround — say, to land a commercial drone contract — check multiple nearby locations simultaneously, as availability varies center by center even within the same city.

Cost is also worth factoring in when choosing a location. The testing fee is $175, payable at the time of scheduling through the PSI portal. This fee is non-refundable if you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice or fail to appear.

Some testing centers are located inside larger exam facilities that also administer IT certifications and real estate licensing exams, which means parking, lobby procedures, and check-in logistics can differ from a standalone testing suite. Regardless of location, bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID — a driver's license or passport — because testing center staff are required to verify your identity before admitting you.

Preparation is the single biggest variable between passing and failing on your first attempt. The FAA Part 107 exam covers airspace classification, weather interpretation, emergency procedures, radio communication, crew resource management, loading and performance, and operations in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

Understanding each of these domains at a functional level — not just memorizing answers — is what separates candidates who score in the 80s and 90s from those who scrape by at 70%. The sections below will walk you through everything from how to find a test center near you to how to structure your study schedule for maximum retention.

Whether you're a hobbyist drone pilot ready to go commercial, a real estate photographer expanding your services, or an agricultural operator looking to comply with federal regulations, the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is your gateway to legal, paid drone work in the National Airspace System. This guide covers every dimension of the exam — location logistics, test-day procedures, study resources, and the smartest practice strategies — so you walk into that testing center fully prepared to pass on your first attempt.

Developing a solid study plan is just as important as knowing where to take the test. The FAA Part 107 knowledge exam covers nine primary topic areas, and candidates who spread their preparation across all of them consistently outperform those who focus only on drone-specific content. Airspace classification is the heaviest topic — questions about Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace, along with Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and special use airspace, typically account for 15 to 20 of the 60 exam questions.

Reading and interpreting sectional aeronautical charts is a skill you absolutely must develop, because the exam provides a physical chart supplement booklet and expects you to pull data directly from it. A comprehensive faa part 107 study guide should walk you through chart symbols, latitude/longitude reading, and how to identify airports and controlled airspace boundaries on paper charts.

Weather interpretation is the second most tested domain on the Part 107 exam. You'll need to decode METARs, TAFs, and graphical forecasts to determine whether flying conditions are legal and safe. A METAR, for example, is a routine aviation weather observation coded in a specific format: station identifier, date/time, wind direction and speed, visibility, sky condition, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting.

The exam may present you with a real METAR and ask whether visibility meets the 3 statute mile minimum required for Part 107 operations, or whether cloud ceilings are above the 500-foot-below-cloud rule. Spending two to three hours practicing METAR and TAF decoding will pay dividends on exam day.

Loading, performance, and aerodynamics make up another cluster of exam questions. You don't need to be an aerospace engineer, but you do need to understand concepts like center of gravity, how payload affects battery life and handling, density altitude's effect on rotor performance, and the relationship between wind speed and flight time.

Density altitude is particularly important — high elevation combined with high temperature reduces air density, which means rotors must spin faster to generate the same lift, draining batteries faster and reducing overall performance margins. High-density-altitude environments like Denver in August require pilots to fly more conservatively than they might at sea level on a cool morning.

Radio communications and crew resource management (CRM) round out the non-airspace topics. While drone pilots are not required to hold a radio license or use radios on most recreational flights, Part 107 operations near controlled airspace may require coordination with ATC.

The exam tests whether you understand how to request authorization via the LAANC system, when a waiver is required, and what CRM principles apply when you're operating with a visual observer. CRM questions often present scenario-based situations — for example, your visual observer says traffic is approaching from the east while you're focused on a GPS error notification — and ask what the correct priority sequence should be.

Emergency procedures are tested through scenario questions that ask what a remote pilot should do when the aircraft loses GPS lock, when the battery reaches a critically low level mid-flight, or when a malfunction causes the drone to fly erratically. The correct answers almost always prioritize aircraft control and public safety over mission completion. Knowing the FAA's decision-making framework (DECIDE: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate) is useful not just for exam questions but for building real-world operational judgment as a commercial pilot.

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) specific to Part 107 are tested extensively. You should know the operating limitations cold: maximum altitude of 400 feet AGL (or within 400 feet of a structure), maximum groundspeed of 87 knots, daylight-only operations (or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting), visual line of sight requirements, and the prohibitions against flying over moving vehicles or people.

Waivers are available for some of these restrictions, and exam questions will test whether you know which limitations can be waived versus which are absolute. For example, you can obtain a waiver to fly at night or beyond visual line of sight, but you cannot waive the basic airworthiness requirements of the aircraft.

The most effective study strategy combines video courses, the FAA's own free study materials, and extensive practice testing. The FAA publishes the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (FAA-CT-8080-2H), which is the exact chart supplement booklet given to you at the testing center.

Download it for free from the FAA website and use it during your practice sessions so you're already comfortable navigating its contents on exam day. Plan to spend 15 to 20 total hours in focused study over two to four weeks, and make sure at least 30% of that time is dedicated to answering practice questions under timed conditions.

Building an effective practice test routine is arguably the most important investment you can make in your Part 107 preparation. Practice testing does more than measure what you know — it actively accelerates learning through a cognitive process called retrieval practice, where the act of recalling information from memory strengthens the neural pathways associated with that knowledge.

Studies in educational psychology consistently show that students who test themselves frequently retain information far better than those who spend the same amount of time rereading notes or watching lectures. For the FAA Part 107 exam specifically, this means that an hour spent answering practice questions is worth more than two hours of passive studying.

The most effective practice test strategy for Part 107 candidates involves three phases. First, take a diagnostic full-length practice exam at the start of your study period — before you've done any significant preparation. This establishes a baseline score and immediately shows you which topic areas need the most attention. Many candidates are surprised to find they already score 50-60% on a cold diagnostic, which means they only need to close a 10-15 percentage point gap to reach the 70% passing threshold. Seeing this gap quantified makes the preparation task feel manageable rather than overwhelming.

Second, use topic-specific practice quizzes to drill the areas where your diagnostic score was weakest. If you scored 40% on airspace questions but 75% on regulations, allocate the majority of your study time to airspace until your practice scores in that domain consistently exceed 70%. Topic-by-topic drilling is more efficient than repeatedly taking full-length exams, because it concentrates your repetitions in the areas of highest need rather than spending time re-answering questions you already know well. The quiz sets on PracticeTestGeeks.com are organized exactly this way — by topic area — making targeted drilling straightforward.

Third, finish your preparation with two to three full-length timed practice exams in the final 48 to 72 hours before your real test. These simulate the actual exam experience and serve several purposes: they confirm that your topic-specific improvements have translated to overall score gains, they help you identify any remaining weak spots that need last-minute attention, and they build the mental stamina required to maintain focus for 60+ questions under time pressure. Aim to complete these final practice exams in exam conditions — quiet room, timed, no interruptions, using a printed copy of the FAA chart supplement.

When reviewing your practice test results, spend more time analyzing wrong answers than celebrating right ones. For every question you missed, read the full rationale explaining the correct answer, then find the corresponding section in the FAA study guide or regulations and read it in context.

This closes the loop between practice testing and conceptual understanding, ensuring you're not just pattern-matching answers but actually internalizing the regulatory logic behind them. This approach is especially valuable for airspace and weather questions, where multiple similar-looking scenarios have different correct answers depending on subtle details like altitude, distance from an airport, or specific visibility readings.

One of the most common mistakes candidates make is focusing exclusively on memorizing the FAA's published question bank without developing genuine understanding. The FAA periodically rotates questions, and if a new question appears with a slightly different scenario than what you memorized, a memorized-answer approach will fail you. Understanding the underlying principle — why Class B airspace requires ATC clearance, or why density altitude reduces aircraft performance — allows you to reason through novel questions rather than being stumped by unfamiliar phrasing. Building this conceptual foundation takes more time upfront but dramatically increases your confidence and score ceiling.

Finally, use the faa part 107 exam scheduling process itself as a motivational deadline. Once you've consistently scored 80% or higher on full-length practice tests, book your exam appointment. Having a real test date on the calendar creates accountability and prevents the common trap of perpetual preparation without ever actually sitting for the exam. Most well-prepared candidates who follow a structured study plan and use quality practice resources pass on their first attempt — and you will too if you approach the preparation with the same professionalism you intend to bring to your commercial drone operations.

After you pass the Part 107 knowledge test, the process of officially becoming a certified Remote Pilot in Command has several additional steps that candidates sometimes overlook. Your passing Airman Knowledge Test Report — the document the PSI center prints for you or makes available digitally — is a critical piece of paper you must retain.

It contains your knowledge test exam ID number, which is required to complete your IACRA application. You have 24 months from the date of your knowledge test to submit your IACRA application, so while there's no need to rush, don't lose track of the deadline either.

The Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system is the FAA's online platform for processing airman certificate applications. Creating an IACRA account is free, and the Remote Pilot Certificate application is straightforward — you'll enter your personal information, your knowledge test ID number, and certify that you meet the eligibility requirements. You do not need a flight review or an in-person evaluation with an FAA examiner to get your Part 107 certificate; the knowledge test plus the IACRA application is all that's required for initial certification.

Once your IACRA application is processed — which typically takes two to three weeks — the FAA will mail your plastic Remote Pilot Certificate to the address on your application. In the meantime, you can print a temporary certificate directly from IACRA, which is legally valid for operations under Part 107 while you wait for the permanent card. Many commercial drone operators start building their client portfolio and conducting paid flights within days of passing the exam using their printed temporary certificate, so there's no reason to delay monetizing your new credentials.

If you're planning to fly in controlled airspace — Class B, C, D, or within the lateral boundaries of Class E airspace designated for surface operations — you'll need authorization from ATC before each flight. The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system makes this process nearly instantaneous in most areas.

LAANC is integrated into popular apps like AirMap, Kittyhawk, and DroneDeploy, and it can grant authorization for operations up to the approved altitude grid ceiling in seconds. For flights that exceed LAANC grid ceilings or in airspace not covered by LAANC, you'll need to file a manual waiver request through the FAA DroneZone portal, which can take weeks to process.

For drone pilots who want to explore the complete document set in a portable format, the FAA publishes a comprehensive faa part 107 test resource that includes regulatory text, advisory circulars, and supplementary guidance documents. Keeping digital copies of these resources on your tablet or phone means you can review regulations in the field and quickly look up specific rule provisions when a client or landowner asks a detailed question about operational limits. Professionalism in the field starts with knowing your regulations cold, and having reference materials accessible reinforces that professionalism.

Building a sustainable commercial drone business after certification requires more than just a valid certificate. You'll need liability insurance — most clients, particularly in real estate, construction, and film production, require a minimum of $1 million in general liability coverage before signing a contract. Drone-specific insurance policies are available from providers like Verifly, SkyWatch, and Global Aerospace at rates ranging from $25 per day for on-demand coverage to $500-$1,500 annually for dedicated policies. Keep your aircraft registered with the FAA (required for all drones over 0.55 pounds operated commercially), maintain a maintenance log, and conduct pre-flight inspections before every mission.

The commercial drone industry continues to grow rapidly, with the FAA projecting the commercial UAS fleet to expand significantly through 2028. Industries including precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, emergency response, cinematography, surveying, and package delivery are all creating sustained demand for certified Part 107 pilots. Starting your certification journey today — with a structured study plan, quality practice resources, and a clear understanding of where and how to take the FAA Part 107 test — positions you to capitalize on one of the most dynamic growth sectors in aviation history.

As you enter the final stretch of your Part 107 preparation, focus on three high-leverage activities: reviewing airspace diagrams until you can instantly identify airspace classes from sectional chart depictions, practicing METAR decoding until you can extract weather minimums in under 30 seconds, and working through at least 200 unique practice questions so you've seen a wide variety of phrasings and scenarios. These three activities address the topics most likely to determine whether you pass or fail, and they are skills that compound quickly with focused repetition.

Time management during the actual exam matters more than most candidates expect. With 60 questions and 120 minutes, you have an average of two minutes per question — which sounds generous until you encounter a sectional chart question that requires finding a specific airport, reading its elevation and traffic pattern altitude, and cross-referencing with airspace boundaries. Develop a habit of flagging difficult questions during practice tests and returning to them after answering easier ones first. This ensures you don't burn disproportionate time on one hard question at the expense of easy points elsewhere in the exam.

On the morning of your exam, resist the urge to do a last-minute cramming session. Candidates who spend the hours before an exam frantically reviewing material often perform worse than those who spend that time in light review followed by a calm routine. Eat a nutritious breakfast, review your cheat sheet of METAR abbreviations and airspace VFR minimums one final time, and then put your study materials away. Trust the preparation you've done. Cognitive fatigue and test anxiety are real factors that degrade performance, and arriving at the testing center in a calm, rested state is a genuine competitive advantage.

Inside the testing center, use your scratch paper actively from the very first question. For airspace questions, sketching a quick diagram of the airspace structure described in the question can prevent misreading the scenario. For METAR questions, write out the decoded weather conditions in plain language before selecting your answer. For performance and loading questions, write out the given values and the formula you're applying. This process slows you down by 15-20 seconds per question but dramatically reduces careless errors caused by trying to hold multiple pieces of information in working memory simultaneously.

After submitting your answers and receiving your score, take a moment to review the score report regardless of whether you passed or failed. If you passed — congratulations — the score report will show your performance by knowledge area, and seeing where you were strongest and weakest provides useful feedback for your future growth as a commercial pilot. If you did not pass, the score report becomes your personalized study guide for your second attempt: it identifies exactly which topic areas pulled your score below 70%, allowing you to concentrate your additional study time precisely where it's needed.

For pilots who are retesting after a failed first attempt, the 14-day waiting period is not wasted time — it's an opportunity. Use the score report's topic breakdown to design a targeted study sprint focused exclusively on your weak areas. Candidates who approach their second attempt with this kind of data-driven specificity typically see score improvements of 10-20 percentage points, turning a failed first attempt into a successful second one. The pass rate for second-attempt candidates who study strategically is significantly higher than the overall first-attempt pass rate.

Remember that earning your Remote Pilot Certificate is the beginning of your aviation career, not the end goal. The knowledge you build while preparing for the Part 107 exam — airspace classification, weather interpretation, safety decision-making — is knowledge you'll use on every single flight you conduct commercially. The exam is designed to ensure that pilots who enter the National Airspace System have a genuine baseline of knowledge to operate safely alongside manned aircraft. Take that responsibility seriously, and let it motivate you to prepare thoroughly rather than looking for shortcuts to a passing score.