Requirements to become a Drone Pilot

Flying your own drone for fun or education is not an offense in the United States. You do not require a license to fly your personal drone from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

What all you need is to get your drone registered only if it weighs more than 250 grams (0.55 pounds).

Whether you are flying a drone for commercial purpose, and it is between 250 grams to 25 Kgs (55 pounds) then it is mandatory to possess a Remote Drone Pilot Certificate issued by FAA. Here are some points to note before applying for the certificate:

• No flying experience: The FAA will not ask for any prior flying experience of any type of aircraft  or drone.
  

• No need to demonstrate: FAA will not ask the applicant to give a demonstration to show the ability of flying a drone or any other aircraft.
  

• Past or present ownership: Even if you do not own a drone, you can still apply for the drone pilot license.
  

• Current pilots: Incase you have an FAA pilot certification, can still take an online test to achieve a Remote Pilot Certificate. The pilot should should have cleared a flight review in past 2 years before applying. While current pilots can take the test on the FAA FAASTeam website.
  

• Different test for others: There is a different and more extensive test for the pilots who already own FAA certification but not currently flying.
  

• No medical test: The applicant just have to attest themselves that they are mentally and physically fit. The can operate the drone safely and securely without harming any human or public/private property. They do not need a medical test to prove their fitness to avail the drone certification.
  

• Free study resources: You can avail free study material from free study resources from FAA. The study and course material includes practical tests which are helpful to clear the exam for the pilot. The test questions are generally asked from the same study resources provided by the FAA during the course content.