On July 26, 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reached a cumulative total of over 100,000 Remote Pilot Certifications issued for commercial and recreational use since the small drone rule (Part 107) went into effect on August 29, 2016.

Under Part 107, the person flying the drone, or unmanned aircraft system, must have a Remote Pilot Certificate, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate.

To receive the certification, you must be at least 16 years old, pass an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge-testing center and undergo Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) security screening. The FAA reports that the exam success rate is 92 percent.

Once the test is passed, the credential is valid for two years, meaning that anyone who passed the test when the program was created will be due to retake the test soon.

In order to register for the class, you'll need: email address, credit or debit card, physical address and mailing address (if different from physical address) and make and model of your unmanned aircraft.

To learn more about becoming certified to fly a drone or about drone operating rules under Part 107, visit the FAA webpage linked HERE.