How Much Does the Part 107 Test Cost? (2026)
The Part 107 knowledge test costs $175, paid to the testing center. The Remote Pilot Certificate itself is free. Here is what the $175 actually covers, what else you might spend on study materials, and what you never have to pay the FAA for.
The Part 107 initial knowledge test costs $175. You pay that fee directly to the PSI testing center at the time of booking, not to the FAA.
The Remote Pilot Certificate itself is free. After you pass the test, you apply through IACRA (the FAA's online certification system). There is no FAA certificate issuance fee.
What does the $175 actually cover?
| Included in $175 | Not included |
|---|---|
| One attempt at the knowledge test | Study materials (free online) |
| A proctored testing room and computer | A retake (another $175) |
| Your Airman Knowledge Test Report | Your Remote Pilot Certificate (free via IACRA) |
| FAA sectional chart supplement for the test | TSA background check (run during IACRA, no fee) |
If you fail the test, you must pay the full $175 again for each retake. There is a 14-calendar-day waiting period between attempts.
What other costs might I have to budget for?
- Paid study courses: $100 to $400 depending on the provider. The FAA publishes the Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22) for free, so paid courses are optional. They can save time but are not required.
- Practice question banks: free to about $80. Part107Prep is free. Several paid services bundle practice questions with video instruction.
- Sectional chart practice: about $10 for a physical chart from Sporty's or Pilot Mall. Digital versions from the FAA are free at vfrmap.com and aeronav.faa.gov.
- Drone registration: $5 per drone, every 3 years, paid to the FAA at faadronezone.faa.gov. Separate from pilot certification, and applies to every drone you fly commercially.
- Remote ID module: $30 to $120 if your drone does not have built-in Remote ID. Required for most Part 107 operations since March 2024.
Is recurrent training $175 too?
No. Since April 2021, recurrent training is a free online course at FAASafety.gov. You complete it every 24 calendar months to maintain currency. No testing center, no fee, no proctor.
You can still take a proctored recurrent knowledge test at PSI if you prefer (that one does cost a fee), but almost no one does.
How does the Part 107 cost compare to other FAA pilot licenses?
The Part 107 pathway is the cheapest and fastest FAA pilot certification that exists. A Private Pilot Certificate for manned aircraft typically requires 40+ hours of flight training at $150 to $250 per hour, plus written and practical test fees, commonly $10,000 to $15,000 total.
Part 107 is $175 and roughly 2 to 3 weeks of self-study, with no flight hours required.
For context, the FAA Sport Pilot Certificate (the next-cheapest manned-aircraft pilot license) requires about 20 flight hours and still runs $4,000 to $6,000 in training costs.
Part 107 is in a different category entirely. It is an aeronautical knowledge test, not a flight skill assessment.
How do I pay for the Part 107 test?
Bookings are made at faa.psiexams.com. Payment is by credit or debit card at the time of booking. You can reschedule up to 24 hours before the test without penalty. Cancellations inside 24 hours forfeit the full fee.
You will need an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) before you can register for the test. The FTN is created the first time you log into IACRA, takes about 10 minutes, and costs nothing. Do this step first.
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