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How to become a licensed drone pilot in Idaho. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required ($175 knowledge test). State has drone-specific statutes. State privacy restrictions apply. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Drone Pilot — Part 107
Most information on this page has been verified.
83% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
No
State License Required
$175
Knowledge Test Fee
16
Minimum Age
Yes
Drone-Specific Statutes
24 Months
Renewal Period
$275-$375
Total Initial Fees
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
60 multiple-choice questions, 120-minute time limit, 70% (42 correct) required to pass. Covers airspace, weather, regulations, operations, and emergency procedures.
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.
State-specific drone laws and restrictions
VerifiedState License Required
Not Required
FAA Part 107 is the only certification needed
VerifiedDrone-Specific Statutes
Yes
State has enacted drone-specific legislation
VerifiedPrivacy Restrictions
Idaho Code § 21-213 restricts drone surveillance of individuals or private property without consent.
Law Enforcement Restrictions
Warrant required for law enforcement drone surveillance per Idaho Code § 21-213.
No 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.
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 Idaho business registration (if operating commercially as a business entity) | $100-$200 |
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. | $275-$375 |
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.
Idaho's agricultural and natural resource sectors are major drivers of commercial drone use for crop monitoring, irrigation management, and forestry surveys.
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.
Idaho has enacted state-specific drone legislation. Operators should review state laws in addition to federal Part 107 regulations.
Privacy restriction: Idaho Code § 21-213 restricts drone surveillance of individuals or private property without consent.
Drone pilot certification is federally regulated by the FAA under Part 107. No state licensing or interstate compact exists.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Idaho.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#42 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Commercial Pilots (SOC 53-2012)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$46,800
-10% vs. national avg ($52,000)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Note: SOC 53-2012 (Commercial Pilots) used as closest BLS proxy for commercial drone pilots. Actual drone pilot compensation may vary.
Source: BLS OEWS – Commercial Pilots (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+6%
Very High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: FAA — Become a Drone Pilot
Estimated total: 2–4 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–4 weeks to temporary certificate; 6–8 weeks for permanent
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot exam.
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Accessed 2025-06-15
Accessed 2025-06-15
Accessed 2025-06-15
Accessed 2025-06-15
Idaho has enacted drone-specific statutes that operators must follow. State privacy restrictions apply to drone surveillance. 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 Idaho Transportation Department — Division of Aeronautics.
Requirements may change. Always verify current requirements with the FAA and your state aviation authority.