Test day: booking, what to bring and what's new

You've covered the knowledge. This lesson covers the logistics, so nothing on the day comes as a surprise. To fly under Part 107 you need a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot). For first-time pilots, that means passing the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot). The FAA recorded 73,914 Part 107 knowledge tests in 2025, and 82.96% of them were passed (FAA CY2025 knowledge test report). That is a national figure, so treat preparation as the part you control.

Before you book

• Check you're eligible. You must be at least 16; able to read, speak, write and understand English; and in a physical and mental condition to fly a drone safely (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot).
• Get an FTN first. Create a profile in IACRA (the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) to get an FAA Tracking Number before you register for the test (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot).
• Book the test. Schedule an appointment at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot). The test fee is about $175, set by the testing provider; check the current fee when you book.
• Read the candidate bulletin. The FAA's testing advisory links a Candidate Information Bulletin for the UAG test. Bulletins cover registration and scheduling, reporting to the test site and test content specifications (FAA advisory, August 2026), so check it for current details rather than relying on secondhand advice.

If you already hold a Part 61 pilot certificate and have completed a flight review within the previous 24 months, you can complete the online Part 107 Small UAS Initial course (ALC-451) instead of the test (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot).

What the test covers

Part 107 lists the knowledge areas for the initial test: regulations, airspace and flight restrictions, weather sources and effects, loading, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communication, performance, the effects of drugs and alcohol, decision-making, airport operations, maintenance and preflight inspection, and night operations (14 CFR 107.73). This course's modules follow those areas. Part 107 leaves the minimum passing grade to the FAA (14 CFR 107.67(c)). The FAA lists the UAG test as 60 questions with 2 hours allowed and a passing score of 70% (FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (revised 9/25/26)), and the Remote Pilot ACS says a score of 70% or better is a pass (Remote Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-10B), p. A-2). The test may also include unscored validation questions; they don't count toward your score, and the 2 hours already allow for them (FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (revised 9/25/26)). This course's timed mock exams use the same 60 questions and 2 hours.

On the day

• Bring a government-issued photo ID (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot). Part 107 says your identification must show your photo, signature, date of birth and permanent mailing address, plus a current residential address if your mailing address is a post office box (14 CFR 107.67(b)).
• Bring no outside help. You may not use any material or aid unless it is authorized, or give or receive help during the test. Breaking these rules bars you from applying for any FAA certificate or taking any FAA test for 1 year (14 CFR 107.69).
• Expect the testing supplement. No date has been set for removing printed testing supplements from test centers, and until then you keep access to the supplement for your exam (FAA advisory, August 2026).
• Flag a question you think is wrong. During a knowledge test you can leave feedback on a question you believe has a problem, and FAA subject matter experts review that feedback (FAA advisory, August 2026).

What's new from October 26, 2026

From October 26, 2026, the Part 107 test includes new image-based questions drawn from current FAA charts, and these images aren't in the testing supplement (FAA advisory, August 2026). The images used in active test questions can't be previewed (FAA advisory, August 2026). Where a question needs measuring tools, the FAA says applicants will have them, though it hasn't published details of the tools yet (FAA advisory, August 2026). The FAA also encourages candidates to visit the testing provider's sample question site (FAA advisory, August 2026). The practical response: practice reading chart images you haven't seen before, not just the figures in the supplement.

After the test

If you don't pass, you must wait 14 calendar days before you can reapply (14 CFR 107.71). If you pass:

1. Complete FAA Form 8710-13 in IACRA and enter your 17-digit Knowledge Test Exam ID. Your test may take up to 48 hours to appear in IACRA (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot).
2. After you complete the TSA security background check, you'll get an email explaining how to print your temporary certificate from IACRA (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot). A temporary certificate is issued for up to 120 calendar days (14 CFR 107.64).
3. Your permanent certificate arrives by mail (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot). Whenever you fly, keep it and your identification in your physical possession and readily accessible (14 CFR 107.7(a)(1)).
4. Stay current by completing online recurrent training within every 24 calendar months (14 CFR 107.65). The FAA's courses are ALC-677, or ALC-515 if you also hold a Part 61 certificate with a current flight review, and both are free (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot).

A study plan with this course

• Lessons and quizzes. Work through the modules in order and take every end-of-lesson quiz. Reread any lesson where you miss more than one or two questions.
• Flashcards. Spend a few minutes a day on key numbers and definitions, such as 400 feet above ground level and 87 knots (14 CFR 107.51), and the 10 calendar days you have to report a serious injury (14 CFR 107.9).
• Chart trainer. Practice on crops of current FAA sectional charts, since from October 26, 2026 the test adds image-based questions drawn from current charts (FAA advisory, August 2026).
• Practice exams. Save full practice exams for the final week, then go back over every question you missed and reread the lessons behind them.

Worked example

You decide to take the test in three weeks. Here is how the plan fits together.

1. Today: create your IACRA profile and get your FTN (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot), then book a testing center slot. Check that your ID shows your photo, signature, date of birth and permanent mailing address (14 CFR 107.67(b)).
2. Week 1: the Regulations module and its quizzes, plus daily flashcards.
3. Week 2: Airspace and charts with chart trainer sessions, then Weather.
4. Week 3: Loading and performance and Operations, then practice exams and a final pass through your weakest lessons.
5. Test day: bring your government-issued photo ID (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot), and use the testing supplement when a question refers to it (FAA advisory, August 2026).
6. Afterward: allow up to 48 hours for your result to reach IACRA, file Form 8710-13, wait for the TSA email and print your temporary certificate (FAA: Become a Drone Pilot). Until you hold a certificate, you may not act as remote pilot in command (14 CFR 107.12(b)).

Common mistakes

• Trying to register for the test before creating an IACRA profile and getting an FTN.
• Bringing ID that lacks a required detail, or giving only a post office box with no residential address.
• Bringing notes or other aids into the test room. That can lead to a 1-year ban.
• Studying only the supplement's figures. From October 26, 2026, the test adds chart images from current charts.
• Expecting to find your result in IACRA right away. Allow up to 48 hours.
• Flying as remote pilot in command before holding a certificate. Passing the test alone isn't enough.
• Forgetting recurrent training every 24 calendar months.