The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) test is good for two years from the date of issuance. The document has an expiration date that falls on the last day of the month the license was issued.
Hello, fellow drone enthusiasts! My name is Lavelle and I am a professional drone pilot and a long-time drone enthusiast. I obtained my pilot license in 2018 after several years of recreational flying and already have experience renewing it.
In this article, I will cover the renewal process for the Part 107 license and go over the requirements for obtaining the license. I will also provide some helpful tips for preparing for the test.
Key Takeaways
- The Part 107 license does not actually expire, but you must take training courses to renew the license every 2 years.
- You must pass the UAS knowledge test to obtain the license every two years from the date of issuance.
- Make sure to check the basic regulations and airspace and operational requirements before passing the test.
How to Renew a Part 107 License
To renew your Part 107 license, you can go to the FAA website to enroll in the training course. You need to be aware of any changes made to the requirements (which are typically minimal) and ensure that you continue to follow all the regulations.
Some of the items to pay particular attention to are:
- Night flying rules
- Collision avoidance techniques
- Anti-collision light requirements for night flying
- The reduction of depth perception topics
The registration process for the recurrent training requirements is the same as when you first applied for the license. There have been no significant changes to the regulations since March 2021 when the FAA relaxed the requirements for night flying.
1. Prepare for a Recurrent Test
As a licensed drone pilot, you are probably already familiar with everything that is on the recurring training test. Some of the items to pay particular attention to include refreshing yourself with the basic regulations which account for approximately 40% of the test.
Additionally, another approximately 40% of the test is made up of airspace requirements. The last 20% of the test covers operational requirements.
While there are some good training sources on the web for preparing for the test, I’ve found that it is just as easy to go onto the FAA site and go over the regulations.
2. Create an Account at FAA Website
You will need to log in to the FAA website or create an account if you do not have one. To log in, go to the FAA Drone Zone login page and look for the Login button near the top right corner of the page. After clicking there, you will see options to log in, forget your password, or create a new account.
3. Sign Up for the ALC-677 Training
For non-Part 61 (ALC-677) pilots, you can sign up for the free training course on the FAA site. The recurrent training course primarily covers regulations regarding flying over people. You will note that there are three available courses to sign up for, but the other two are for current Part 61 holders and for Part 107 remote pilots.
4. Have Around 90 Minutes to Finish the Test
It is estimated that there are between 40-50 questions on the test. It is a multiple-choice test and you have 90 minutes to complete it.
FAQs
Here are some answers to a few of the frequently asked questions about the Part 107 test.
Does a Part 107 Expire?
Technically, Part 107 does not expire. However, you are required to take recurring training courses and a test to renew the license every 24 months.
How Do I Renew My FAA Part 107 License?
You renew your FAA Part 107 license by going to the FAA site and enrolling in the recurring training course.
How Long Is My FAA Drone License Good For?
Your FAA drone license is good for 2-years from the issuance date.
Final Thoughts
The Part 107 license is technically good for life. However, license holders must renew their licenses every 24 months by enrolling in the recurrent training course and passing the training test. License holders should continue to follow all applicable FAA, state, and local rules pertaining to drone operations.
Do you have a Part 107 License? Was it hard to renew it? Feel welcome to share your tips below, with those who will do it for the first time.
