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FAA Part 107 — Drone Pilot License
Total cost: $225-$275
State Aviation Authority
Colorado Division of Aeronautics (a division of the Colorado Department of Transportation)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
No
State License Required
$175
Knowledge Test Fee
16
Minimum Age
No
Drone-Specific Statutes
24 Months
Renewal Period
$225-$275
Total Initial Fees
All commercial drone pilots in the United States must obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Here's how to get your drone pilot license in Colorado:
You must be at least 16 years old, able to read, speak, and understand English, and be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a drone. No flight hours are required.
Plan for While not required by the FAA, completing a Part 107 test prep course is strongly recommended. Most successful candidates spend 15-20 hours studying. Topics include airspace, weather, regulations, and UAS operations. of study. Key topics: Applicable regulations for small UAS operations (14 CFR Part 107), Airspace classification and operating requirements, Aviation weather sources and effects on small UAS performance, Small UAS loading and performance, Emergency procedures, Crew resource management, and more. Popular training providers: FAA Part 107 knowledge test prep courses (various providers), Drone Pilot Ground School, Pilot Institute.
Knowledge test name is 'Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)'; administered at FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Centers. Specific question count, time limit, and pass score (60 questions, 120 min, 70%) not restated on the FAA page but are consistent with Part 107 standards. Test fee: $175. Schedule your test through PSI Exams or an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center.
TSA security background check is processed automatically when you apply for a Remote Pilot Certificate through IACRA. No separate application or fee required.
Submit your application through the FAA Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. Certificate issuance is free. Issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Timeline: 2-4 weeks from taking the knowledge test to receiving temporary certificate; permanent certificate arrives by mail in 6-8 weeks.
All drones weighing 0.55–55 lbs must be registered with the FAA ($5 per drone, valid for 3 years). Display your registration number on your aircraft. Colorado state registration/business fee: $50-$100.
Your Remote Pilot Certificate must be renewed every every 24 months — recurrent aeronautical knowledge test required. Complete the recurrent knowledge test Online via FAA CATS (Compliance and Approval Tracking System) — free of charge. Available 24/7. No need to visit a testing center.. Recurrent test fee: $0.
Total Part 107 certification & startup costs
FAA Part 107 Test
$175
One-time fee for initial Part 107 knowledge test at PSI testing center
Certificate Issuance
$0
No fee for Remote Pilot Certificate issuance through IACRA
Drone Registration
$5/drone
FAA registration fee, valid for 3 years
Recurrent Test
$0
Free online recurrent test through FAA CATS since April 2021
Colorado State Fee
$50-$100
Approximate range for Colorado business registration (if operating commercially as a business entity)
Includes Part 107 knowledge test ($175) and state business registration (if forming a business entity). FAA certificate issuance is free. Does not include optional insurance or training course costs.
All commercial drone pilots must comply with these federal requirements regardless of state
VerifiedPart 107 Certificate
Required
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial small UAS operations (under 55 lbs). Allows operation during daylight and civil twilight with anti-collision lighting.
Knowledge Test Fee
$175
One-time fee for initial Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test at PSI testing center
Knowledge Test Details
60 Questions, 70% to Pass
Knowledge test name is 'Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)'; administered at FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Centers. Specific question count, time limit, and pass score (60 questions, 120 min, 70%) not restated on the FAA page but are consistent with Part 107 standards.
Minimum Age
16 years old
TSA Background Check
Required
TSA security background check is processed automatically when you apply for a Remote Pilot Certificate through IACRA. No separate application or fee required.
Flight Hours Required
None Required
Unlike manned aircraft, Part 107 has no flight hour prerequisites
The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is the sole federal requirement for commercial drone operations involving small UAS (under 55 lbs). Pilots must be at least 16 years old, pass a 60-question aeronautical knowledge test (70% to pass, $175 at PSI testing centers), and undergo a TSA security background check. No flight hour requirements exist for Part 107. These requirements apply uniformly across all 50 states.
Not sure if you need a drone pilot license? Check whether your state requires one.
State-specific drone laws and restrictions
Mostly verifiedState License Required
Not Required
FAA Part 107 is the only certification needed
VerifiedDrone-Specific Statutes
No
Governed solely by federal Part 107 regulations
VerifiedNo state requires a separate drone pilot license beyond the federal FAA Part 107 certificate. However, many states have enacted drone-specific laws addressing privacy, surveillance, critical infrastructure, and weaponization. Some states preempt local drone ordinances while others allow municipalities to impose additional restrictions. Always check both state and local rules before operating.
Training, Test Prep & Knowledge Test Topics
VerifiedFormal Training Required
No
Recommended Training
While not required by the FAA, completing a Part 107 test prep course is strongly recommended. Most successful candidates spend 15-20 hours studying. Topics include airspace, weather, regulations, and UAS operations.
Part 107 Knowledge Test Topics
Training Providers
There is no formal training requirement for the Part 107 certificate. However, completing a test prep course is strongly recommended. The knowledge test covers airspace classification, weather, regulations, emergency procedures, and UAS operations. Most candidates spend 15-20 hours studying before taking the test.
Browse Drone Pilot study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
VerifiedCertificate Name
Remote Pilot Certificate — Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Rating
Issuing Authority
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Renewal Period
24 months
Recurrent Test Details
Recurrent aeronautical knowledge test required every 24 months. Since April 2021, can be completed online for free through the FAA CATS (Compliance and Approval Tracking System). Covers updated regulations and operational knowledge.
The Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating is issued by the FAA and is valid for 24 months. To maintain currency, pilots must pass a recurrent knowledge test every 24 months. Since April 2021, the recurrent test can be completed online for free through the FAA CATS system.
Insurance Coverage for Commercial Drone Operations
Mostly verifiedFederally Required
No — But Strongly Recommended
Recommended Coverage
Liability insurance is strongly recommended for commercial drone operations. Most clients and contracts require proof of insurance. Coverage typically includes third-party liability, property damage, and bodily injury.
Typical Liability Range
$500,000 to $1,000,000 per occurrence is standard for commercial drone operations. Annual premiums typically range from $500-$2,000 depending on operations and coverage.
Hull Insurance
Optional coverage for the drone itself. Covers repair or replacement cost. Typically costs 5-10% of the drone's value annually.
The FAA does not require liability insurance for Part 107 operations. However, insurance is strongly recommended and often required by clients. Most commercial drone operators carry $500,000 to $1,000,000 in liability coverage. Annual premiums typically range from $500-$2,000 depending on the type of operations and coverage level.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Part 107 Knowledge Test One-time fee for initial Part 107 knowledge test at PSI testing center | $175 |
Certificate Issuance No fee for Remote Pilot Certificate issuance through IACRA | $0 |
Recurrent Test (every 24 months) Free online recurrent test through FAA CATS since April 2021 | $0 |
State Business Registration Approximate range for Colorado business registration (if operating commercially as a business entity) | $50-$100 |
Total Initial Fees Includes Part 107 knowledge test ($175) and state business registration (if forming a business entity). FAA certificate issuance is free. Does not include optional insurance or training course costs. | $225-$275 |
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Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
Verified24 Months
Renewal Period
Required
Recurrent Test
Not Required
Continuing Education
Recurrent Test Method
Online via FAA CATS (Compliance and Approval Tracking System) — free of charge. Available 24/7. No need to visit a testing center.
Regulatory Board
The Remote Pilot Certificate must be renewed every 24 months by passing a recurrent aeronautical knowledge test. Since April 2021, this test can be completed online for free through the FAA CATS (Compliance and Approval Tracking System). There is no continuing education requirement beyond the recurrent test. Failure to renew results in the certificate becoming invalid for commercial operations.
Special operation rules and waiver requirements
VerifiedNight Operations
Night operations are allowed under the 2021 rule change (Operations Over People final rule) without a waiver, provided the drone has anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles.
Operations Over People
Operations over people require compliance with Category 1-4 requirements under the 2021 final rule. Category 1 (under 0.55 lbs) and Category 2 (no exposed rotating parts, injury severity limits) do not require a waiver. Categories 3 and 4 have additional requirements.
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations still require a Part 107 waiver from the FAA. The FAA is developing rules for routine BVLOS operations but they are not yet finalized.
The 2021 Operations Over People final rule significantly expanded Part 107 capabilities. Night operations are now allowed by default with anti-collision lighting. Operations over people are permitted under Category 1-4 compliance. BVLOS operations still require individual waivers from the FAA, though rulemaking for routine BVLOS is in progress.
Colorado has no state-specific drone statutes beyond federal Part 107 rules. The state's mountainous terrain and outdoor recreation economy drive demand for aerial photography and surveying.
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required for all commercial drone operations in the United States. This is a federal requirement that applies uniformly across all states.
The Part 107 knowledge test costs $175 and is administered at PSI testing centers nationwide. The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions with a 70% passing score required.
No flight hour requirements exist for the Part 107 certificate — unlike manned aircraft pilot certificates.
Since April 2021, the recurrent knowledge test can be completed online for free through the FAA CATS system, replacing the previous in-person requirement.
Colorado has no state-specific drone statutes — commercial drone operations are governed by federal Part 107 regulations.
Drone pilot certification is federally regulated by the FAA under Part 107. No state licensing or interstate compact exists.
Drone Pilot requirements in nearby states
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Drone Pilot Schools in Colorado
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Study guides and practice tests for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot exam.
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Official Sources
Drone Pilot requirements in Colorado verified against Colorado Division of Aeronautics (a division of the Colorado Department of Transportation), March 2026.
Accessed 2025-06-15
Accessed 2025-06-15
Accessed 2025-06-15
Accessed 2025-06-15
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Colorado has no state-specific drone statutes — federal Part 107 rules apply. All commercial drone pilots must obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 knowledge test, no flight hour requirements). State aviation information is available through the Colorado Division of Aeronautics (a division of the Colorado Department of Transportation).
Requirements may change. Always verify current requirements with the FAA and your state aviation authority.