FAA Part 107 Drone License: 2026 Knowledge Test Complete Guide
Everything you need to pass the FAA Part 107 drone knowledge test in 2026 — airspace rules, weather, regulations, and how to study efficiently.
What Is the FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test?
The Aeronautical Knowledge Test (AKT) for Part 107 is a proctored, closed-book exam. You have 2 hours to answer 60 multiple-choice questions, and you need a score of 70% or higher — meaning you can miss at most 18 questions. Questions are drawn from the FAA's published knowledge test subject areas, which include airspace classification, weather interpretation, sectional chart reading, flight operations, and emergency procedures. The test is administered at PSI testing centers nationwide. As of 2026, the fee is $175 per attempt. You can retake it after 14 days if you fail. Unlike many trade licensing exams, there is no physical component — it's pure knowledge, all about regulations and airspace awareness. The FAA publishes the complete bank of questions it draws from, which means targeted practice is highly effective.
The 5 Topic Areas That Make Up the Test
Understanding where questions come from lets you allocate study time intelligently. Regulations (Part 107, Part 48, FAA Reauthorization Acts) account for 15–20 questions covering who needs a remote pilot certificate, when waivers are required, registration rules, and operational limits like the 400-foot altitude ceiling and 3-statute-mile visibility minimum. Airspace Classification and Requirements covers Class A through G, special use airspace, MOAs, restricted areas, TFRs, and how LAANC authorizations work. Sectional Chart Reading is where many candidates struggle — the exam tests identification of airports, control towers, airspace boundaries, and chart symbols using the FAA-provided legend. Weather Interpretation covers METARs, TAFs, winds aloft forecasts, density altitude, fog formation, and thunderstorm hazards. Flight Operations and Emergency Procedures rounds out the exam with crew resource management, radio communication, and remote pilot responsibilities.
Where Most People Lose Points
The Part 107 test catches candidates in predictable places. Airspace overlaps trip up many test-takers: real-world airspace stacks and overlaps, and the answer is almost always that the most restrictive airspace governs. METAR decoding under time pressure is another common failure point — a METAR like KORD 101753Z 27012KT 10SM -RA BKN048 15/10 A2987 needs to be parsed quickly for visibility, ceiling, and precipitation. Waiver confusion is also prevalent: candidates mix up which operations require FAA waivers versus those permitted under updated 2024 rules, particularly around night operations and beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights. Finally, chart symbol recognition requires practice with the FAA sectional chart legend — airports, airspace boundaries, obstacles, and nav aids are the most commonly tested symbols.
How to Study Efficiently
You don't need a pilot's background to pass Part 107. Most people without aviation experience can prepare adequately in 2–4 weeks of focused study. In week one, focus entirely on regulations and airspace: read through 14 CFR Part 107 (about 20 pages) and drill regulatory practice questions until you're scoring above 85% on that section. In week two, shift to charts and weather — download FAA sectional chart sample questions and work through METARs daily. This is the skill-building week that requires repetition rather than memorization. In week three, take full 60-question practice tests under timed conditions, identify weak topic areas, and target them specifically. By the end of week three you should be scoring 80%+ consistently. The day before the exam, keep review light — a few METARs and airspace charts to stay sharp, nothing new. The VoltExam Drone Prep app gives you 1,000+ FAA Part 107 practice questions organized by topic area, with an Airspace Reference Tool that works completely offline for studying at the field or between flights.
Test Day Logistics and Renewal
Testing centers are run by PSI. Bring a government-issued photo ID and your registration confirmation. No notes or phones are allowed in the testing room — it's fully closed-book, and the test center provides scratch paper. After passing, your temporary airman certificate is available through the FAA's IACRA system usually within 48 hours; your permanent plastic card arrives in the mail a few weeks later. Your certificate is valid for 24 months, after which you must pass a recurrent knowledge test (also 60 questions, same format) to renew. If you fail the initial exam, you receive a topic-area score report — use it to target your second-attempt study. Most candidates who fail the first time pass on their second attempt.