Can I take the Part 107 test online?

No: the FAA says you take the initial Part 107 knowledge test at an FAA-designated testing center.¹² Part 61 pilots with a current flight review can take a free online course instead, and recurrent training is free and online too.²³

Where the initial test happens

Under 14 CFR 107.67, knowledge tests are given by the people, and in the manner, the FAA designates.⁴ The FAA’s testing vendor is PSI, which offers the Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG) test at its FAA-approved testing centers.¹⁵

The FAA’s order on running knowledge tests defines a testing center as a facility with an FAA-approved computer-based testing environment.⁶ It also says a center can’t be in a private residence, a trailer or a recreational vehicle.⁶

Booking, though, is online.⁵ At faa.psiexams.com you pick a date, time and location, and your confirmation email gives the site’s address and directions.⁵

On test day, the center checks your identification, and the proctor scans the documents you present.⁵⁷ Phones and other personal items stay out of the testing area.⁵ If you leave the testing area without proctor supervision, your test is terminated.⁵

For every step from your FTN to the TSA check, see the Part 107 drone license guide.

If you already hold a pilot certificate

You can complete training instead of the test if you meet two conditions.⁸ You hold a Part 61 pilot certificate other than a student pilot certificate, and you meet the flight review rules in 14 CFR 61.56.⁸ Everyone else, the FAA says, must take and pass the initial knowledge test.⁹

The FAA’s course for this is Part 107 Small UAS Initial (ALC-451), free on FAASafety.gov.²³ If you’d rather, you can still take the knowledge test.¹

The course doesn’t finish your application, though.² After you submit Form 8710-13 in IACRA, you make an appointment to have your identity validated.²¹⁰ That can be a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), a designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative or a flight instructor.²

Bring your Form 8710-13, proof of your current flight review, photo ID and your course completion certificate.² A flight instructor can’t issue a temporary certificate, but can process your application if you don’t want one.²

Recurrent training is online

To act as remote pilot in command, you need the initial test or recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months.¹¹ Since April 6, 2021, the FAA no longer offers a recurrent knowledge test for this.¹² Recurrent training on the FAA Safety Team’s website took its place.¹²

Any Part 107 certificate holder can take Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (ALC-677), at no cost, even if their recency has lapsed.²¹³ Part 61 pilots with a current flight review can take ALC-515 instead.²

The FAA doesn’t issue a new certificate when you finish, and the certificate doesn’t expire.¹⁴ The course renews your recency for 24 calendar months, and you must be able to show a copy of your completion certificate as proof.¹⁴

TRUST is a different test

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is free and online, through FAA-approved test administrators.¹⁵ It’s for people flying purely for fun under the recreational exception, which lets them fly without complying with Part 107.¹⁶

To fly under Part 107, the FAA says you must get a Remote Pilot Certificate.² If you’re not sure which rules apply to your flight, the FAA says to assume Part 107.¹⁶

StudyWren is an independent study tool and isn’t affiliated with the FAA or PSI.

Sources

1. FAA, “Aeronautical Information Manual” (Change 3, effective 7/9/2026; Chapter 11, Section 5, paragraph 11-5-1, “Initial Testing for Certification” and “Registering to take the part 107 sUAS Initial Aeronautical Knowledge Test”). https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap11_section_5.html Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩² ↩³

2. FAA, “Become a Certificated Remote Pilot” (page last updated June 9, 2026). https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹

3. FAA Safety Team, “Part 107 Small UAS Initial - Part 61 Pilots” (ALC-451 course page, FAASafety.gov). https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/CourseLanding.aspx?cID=451 Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩²

4. 14 CFR 107.67(a), eCFR (current as of 2026-10-22). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-107.67 ↩

5. PSI, “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small Applicant Information Bulletin” (PDF, effective September 29, 2025; registration and scheduling, and reporting to the examination site, page 2; security procedures, page 5). https://media.psiexams.com/faa/UAG_Information_Bulletin.pdf Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

6. FAA, Order 8080.6H, “Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests” (effective 9/22/17, status Active, PDF; Chapter 1, paragraph 7m, page 1-3; Chapter 2, paragraph 1a, page 2-1). https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/FAA_Order_8080.6H.pdf Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩²

7. FAA, “FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix” (PDF, revised September 25, 2026; General Guidelines & Recommendations, page 3). https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/testing_matrix Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩

8. 14 CFR 107.61(d), eCFR (current as of 2026-10-22). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-107.61 ↩ ↩²

9. FAA, “I already have a pilot certificate issued under Part 61. Do I need to obtain a remote pilot certificate to fly a UAS or drone under the Small UAS Rule (Part 107)?” (Drones FAQ). https://www.faa.gov/faq/i-already-have-pilot-certificate-issued-under-part-61-do-i-need-obtain-remote-pilot-certificate Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩

10. 14 CFR 107.63(b), eCFR (current as of 2026-10-22). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-107.63 ↩

11. 14 CFR 107.65, eCFR (current as of 2026-10-22). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-107.65 ↩

12. FAA Airman Testing Standards Branch, “Changes to Testing for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Aircraft Rating” (PDF, issued April 5, 2021). https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/uas_testing_information.pdf Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩²

13. FAA Safety Team, “Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent” (ALC-677 course page, FAASafety.gov). https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/CourseLanding.aspx?cID=677 Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩

14. FAA, “After a Part 107 pilot completes the online ALC training course to renew his/her remote pilot currency does the FAA issue a new remote pilot certificate?” (Drones FAQ). https://www.faa.gov/faq/after-part-107-pilot-completes-online-alc-training-course-renew-hisher-remote-pilot-currency Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩²

15. FAA, “The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)” (page last updated August 21, 2026). https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩

16. FAA, “Recreational Flyers & Community-Based Organizations” (page last updated October 14, 2026). https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩ ↩²