Getting Your Commercial Drone License for Real Estate in 2025: Step by Step Guide

Do you want to make money with your drone, either directly or through a side hustle? Planning to capture stunning footage for real estate clients, or maybe you’re farming and want to use drones for data collection? 

Whether you’re posting drone videos on YouTube or shooting commercial projects, one thing is clear—you need a commercial drone license for real estate if you plan on flying drones for your real estate drone business. The FAA Remote Pilot Certificate is your ticket to flying legally and professionally.

I’ve helped hundreds of individuals kick-start their drone careers, especially in the real estate sector. Getting licensed is the first step, whether it’s for aerial shots of properties or commercial projects. 

Want to learn more? Check out my guide on the best drones for real estate after you have passed your Part 107 Exam. 

What Is a Commercial Drone License for Real Estate and Why Do You Need One?

So, why do you actually need a commercial drone license for real estate?

If you’re flying for anything more than fun—whether that’s selling footage, collecting data for businesses, or even posting drone content for YouTube ads—you’re technically operating a commercial drone.

Read Also: Ultimate Guide to Real Estate Drone Photography

And the FAA Part 107 license is the legal requirement for anyone making money off drone use. It’s not as intense as getting a manned pilot’s license, but it’s just as important if you’re serious about flying drones for business.

In simple terms, the Remote Pilot Certificate ensures you’re familiar with basic airspace rules, safety practices, and what’s expected of you as a commercial drone pilot. Without it, you could face penalties or fines. Plus, having the certificate gives you that extra professional edge when working with clients—whether they’re real estate agents or farmers looking to use drones for crop management.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Commerical Drone License for Real Estate

First things first, to get your drone license, you’ll need to meet the FAA’s basic eligibility requirements. You must be at least 16 years old, understand English, and pass a background check. Sounds simple enough, right?

Once you meet those criteria, the next step is scheduling your Part 107 test. This is an in-person written exam, similar to the permit test you might have taken before getting your driver’s license—except this time, you won’t need to fly. 

The Part 107 test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, covering everything from weather conditions to airspace classifications and emergency procedures. It’s offered at over 696 FAA-approved testing centers across the U.S.

Don’t stress—this test is designed to make sure you understand the basics of flying drones safely and legally. Once you pass, you’ll get your Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, which allows you to start earning money with your drone.

Best Ways to Prepare for the FAA Part 107 Exam

Preparing for the exam can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to drone flying. The good news is, there are tons of resources out there to help you ace it. I always recommend taking a few practice tests to get familiar with the format and questions. There are online study guides, video tutorials, and even in-person training programs that can walk you through everything from airspace rules to weather patterns.

I highly recommend taking multiple practice tests before taking the full Part 107 exam. 

There are several solid options for online prep courses if you’re serious about passing the Part 107 test. Here are a few popular choices that I highly recommend.

Drone Pilot Ground School

This course is led by Alan Perlman and offers a step-by-step guide to acing the test. You’ll go through quizzes after each lecture, including five full-length practice tests. The format is clean and easy to follow, and you can complete it at your own pace.
Time required: 10-15 hours
Cost: $299

Drone Launch Academy

This self-paced course is taught by instructors with extensive aviation experience. It gives you access to all materials for a full year, so you can study when it’s convenient for you.
Time required: 10-15 hours
Cost: $199

DARTdrones

DARTdrones offers three options: an online self-paced course for $150, an in-person + online course for $670, and a live virtual course for $375. The virtual course is interactive, and while it’s pricier, the live instruction makes it worth the cost.

Cost:
Online: $150
In-Person + Online: $670
Live Virtual: $375

Do I Need a License If I’m Not Flying Drones for Money?

If you’re just flying your drone for fun, do you really need a license?

The answer is no, as long as you stick to recreational flying. However, if you start making money—whether it’s selling your drone footage or monetizing your YouTube channel—you’ll need that Remote Pilot Certificate.

That said, even as a hobbyist and just flying recreationally, you still have to follow some basic FAA guidelines. For example, you must fly under 400 feet, avoid restricted airspace, and keep your drone within visual line-of-sight. There’s also the FAA’s TRUST certification, which is free and helps educate recreational drone pilots on basic safety guidelines. It’s a good idea to complete it, even if you’re not planning to fly commercially.

Gray Areas of Commercial Drone Pilot’s License – Explained

Even if you’re not flying drones for direct pay, your activities may still require a commercial license. For example, if you take photos for a business or provide aerial footage for a nonprofit, the FAA may consider this commercial use, even without monetary compensation.

The distinction between personal and commercial use can get tricky, but the FAA makes it clear that anything benefiting an organization, even unpaid work, is classified as commercial.

It’s essential to understand these gray areas to avoid operating outside the law. When in doubt, consult FAA guidelines or legal advice to ensure you’re flying within regulations.

Renewing Your Drone Pilot License When it Expires

Your drone pilot license is valid for two years. Once that period ends, you’ll need to renew your certification by taking a recurrent knowledge test. Fortunately, the renewal process is straightforward and can be done online. Staying current with your certification ensures you continue flying legally and safely.

The good news is that renewing your license no longer requires an in-person test. You can complete the process from home via the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website, which offers a free online course. This course is broken down into various slides, videos, and mini-quizzes. Set aside about an hour to complete the material and review the necessary updates.

Don’t wait until your license expires—it’s important to stay on top of changing drone regulations. Failing to renew on time means you’ll need to take the full Part 107 test again, which is more time-consuming. By staying proactive, you ensure your license remains valid and avoid the hassle of retesting.

Already Have a Manned Pilots License? – How to Obtain a Drone License

If you already hold a manned pilot’s license, obtaining your drone certification is a little easier. Instead of taking the full Part 107 test, you’ll complete a shorter, more focused course that covers drone-specific regulations. However, having a manned pilot’s license doesn’t automatically qualify you to fly drones; you still need to understand the unique requirements for operating unmanned aircraft.

The FAA offers a free online course for licensed pilots, which takes about two hours to complete. It covers important topics that aren’t typically included in manned flight training, such as weather conditions affecting drones, drone maintenance, and emergency procedures. You’ll also need to have completed a flight review within the past 24 months to be eligible.

Once you finish the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. After that, you can register as an applicant with the FAA by entering your existing pilot information. Your new certification will arrive by mail in a few weeks, and you’ll officially be licensed to fly drones commercially.

How to Check if Someone Has a Drone License

There are situations where you may need to verify whether a drone operator is properly certified. Whether you’re hiring someone for a commercial project or just checking for legal compliance, it’s crucial to ensure they hold a valid drone license. Operating a drone without certification can have legal consequences for both the operator and those who hire them.

To verify someone’s certification, you can use the FAA’s Airmen Inquiry of licensed drone pilots. The process requires you to submit basic information about yourself before gaining access to the database. Once you’re in, you can search for both manned and remote pilots and see their certificates and ratings.

It’s worth noting that not all pilots may appear immediately in the database. Some may choose to opt out of having their personal information displayed, and it can take up to 90 days for updated records to show up. If you’re unsure about a specific operator, make sure to check thoroughly to avoid any issues down the road.

Conclusion

Navigating the process of becoming a certified drone pilot might seem overwhelming at first, but with the right resources, it’s manageable. Staying informed about FAA regulations and knowing when you need a license will keep you flying legally and safely. 

As the drone industry grows, maintaining your certification and staying up-to-date with the latest rules ensures you’ll maximize your drone’s potential without legal complications.