The Part 107 Guide
Everything you need to know before sitting for FAA Part 107 / 14 CFR Part 107
Why Part 107 matters in 2026
FAA Part 107 / 14 CFR Part 107 is one of the most recognized credentials issued by FAA, and 2026 hiring data continues to show Part 107 on job postings as either required or strongly preferred for the roles it targets. The certification validates that you can apply real working knowledge, not just recall facts, across 9 distinct exam domains, with the largest weight on Airspace Classification and Operational Requirements. For candidates competing in the FAA ecosystem, Part 107 is a clear signal to a hiring manager that you have invested in measurable, third-party-verified competence.
Who should take Part 107
Part 107 is most useful for professionals working in or moving toward the FAA ecosystem. In short: The 14 CFR Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for commercial drone operations. If you are early in your career, Part 107 is one of the fastest credentials to add to a résumé that recruiters actively screen for. If you are mid-career, it formalizes the skills you already use day-to-day and unlocks roles that gate on it. If you are switching tracks, it gives you a structured curriculum that tells you exactly what to study, in what order, weighted by what the real exam tests.
Exam structure and difficulty
The FAA Part 107 / 14 CFR Part 107 exam is organized into 9 domains, each weighted by the official FAA exam guide. The heaviest weighting is Airspace Classification and Operational Requirements at 20% of the exam, so that is where you should spend the most preparation time. The lightest is Remote Identification at 3%, meaning you can dedicate roughly proportional review time without over-investing.
Format details: 60 multiple-choice items · 2 hours · Pass score 70% · 9 study domains anchored on FAA-S-ACS-10B · Recurrency via free ALC-677 every 24 months. Following the domain weights is the single biggest leverage point candidates miss, because many over-study lower-weighted material that feels comfortable.
How to prepare
A practical four-step plan for Part 107:
- Read the official FAA exam guide for Part 107 and write down every sub-objective. This becomes your study checklist.
- Use the domain practice quizzes on this page in weight order (heaviest first). Aim for 80% on each domain before moving on.
- When you miss a question, read the explanation for every wrong answer, because that contrastive learning is where understanding compounds.
- Once every domain is at 80%+, take the Mix Quiz repeatedly to simulate real exam conditions across all topics.
Career outcomes and salary
Holders of Part 107 in the US currently see compensation in the range of $42k to $110k per year, with median around $68k. Commercial drone pilot; often contract / hybrid Salary varies by region, employer size, and complementary skills, but the Part 107 credential consistently lifts the floor of what you can negotiate against. Source: ZipRecruiter, BLS (Commercial Pilots), 2026.
Common pitfalls
The three traps that kill Part 107 candidates: (1) over-memorizing acronyms instead of practicing the application of concepts in scenarios, when the exam is scenario-driven, not a vocab quiz. (2) Skipping the heaviest-weighted domain because it feels less interesting, which can fail the whole exam by neglecting Airspace Classification and Operational Requirements. (3) Not timing practice sessions, when the exam has a real clock and pacing is its own skill. Build timing into your last two weeks of prep.
Part 107 questions, answered
Is the Part 107 test multiple choice?
Yes. All 60 questions on the FAA Part 107 UAG knowledge test are multiple choice, with 3 answer options each.
How many questions are on the Part 107 exam?
60 multiple-choice questions in a 2-hour window.
What is the passing score for Part 107?
You need 70%, or 42 of 60 questions correct.
How do you renew a Part 107 certificate?
Since August 2024, you renew by completing the free FAA online recurrent training course (ALC-677) every 24 months, no in-person retest required.
Is the Part 107 test hard?
Most people find the airspace classification and weather sections the hardest, since they require reading sectional charts and METARs rather than pure memorization. With focused study, most candidates pass on the first attempt.
How much does the Part 107 test cost?
The knowledge test fee is $175, paid to PSI when you schedule at an FAA-approved testing center. It is non-refundable, and a retake costs the same again. The IACRA application, TSA vetting, and the certificate itself are free.
What happens if you fail the Part 107 test?
You must wait 14 calendar days before retaking it and pay the $175 fee again. Your score report shows which knowledge areas you missed, so drill those domains here before rescheduling.
Is this Part 107 practice test free?
Yes. All 300+ Part 107 practice questions on QuizBuffet are free, organized by the same study areas as the FAA test, with an explanation for every answer and no signup.