How Long Does It Take to Get a Part 107 Drone License?

A realistic timeline, from your first day of studying to flying with your certificate.

You want to start flying drones to earn some money, but you don't have your drone license. How long does it take to get a Part 107 license?

Related article: Do I Need a Part 107 Drone License?

For most people, it takes a few weeks. Here's how long each step usually takes.

How Long to Prepare for the FAA Part 107 Test

1-2 weeks with structured learning, otherwise 2-4 weeks

There's a lot of information on the Part 107 test, some or all of which may be completely foreign to you.

You'll want to really understand this material instead of memorizing answers, since the FAA words its questions in ways that test your understanding.

The time required for this will depend on a variety of factors:

  • Prior knowledge
  • Study habits
  • Learning styles or disabilities
  • Available resources
  • Available time

Some students in my Part 107 Test Prep Course started their studies on a Friday and passed their FAA test the next Monday. This isn't typical, however, and most students require a couple of weeks.

Scheduling Your Part 107 Exam

1-2 weeks

Unfortunately, you can't take your Part 107 test online. You'll need to schedule an appointment at an FAA-approved testing center. 

faa testing center


Availability will depend on your proximity to different testing centers and the number of students those testing centers serve. 

Follow these step-by-step instructions for scheduling your drone test.

FAA Processing and Certificate Delivery

Typical time 1-3 days (temporary certificate)

After you pass your Part 107 test, you'll need to apply for your Remote Pilot certificate. It isn't issued automatically.

You can read about those steps here, but what's important to know is that you need to complete a TSA background check before you can start flying under Part 107. The time required for this can depend on a few factors out of your control, but it's currently taking between 1-3 days.

You'll be issued a temporary certificate electronically after the TSA checks are complete. You can fly under Part 107 with this temporary certificate. Print it out and carry it with you.

Mailing the physical certificate cards takes another 2-4 weeks; your temporary certificate expires after 120 days. You'll need your physical plastic card to fly after that.

part 107 certificate


How to Get Certified Faster

If you need your certificate quickly, these steps help:

  1. Enroll in a structured drone test prep program
  2. Book your test date before finishing study
  3. Be familiar with the scheduling and application processes ahead of time


With these steps and steady studying, you could be ready to fly in one to two weeks.


Looking for more Part 107 resources? Check out this page for answers to more questions.