FAA Part 107 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass Your Remote Pilot Exam

If you’re looking for a comprehensive FAA Part 107 study guide to pass your Remote Pilot Knowledge Test in 2026, you’ve come to the right place. This guide walks you through exactly what to study, how to build a study plan, and what to expect on exam day. You’ll learn the key topic areas, free resources to save money, and strategies to avoid the most common mistakes that cause people to fail.

What Is the FAA Part 107 Certificate and Who Needs It?

The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is the legal requirement for anyone flying a drone for commercial, non-hobby purposes in the United States. If you receive any form of compensation — monetary or otherwise — for your drone operations, you must hold this certificate. This includes real estate photography, aerial inspections, mapping, construction site monitoring, and even flying for a non-profit organization. The certificate requires passing a knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center, followed by a background check through the TSA.

FAA Part 107 Exam Questions 2026: What’s on the Test?

The FAA Part 107 exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of about 200 possible questions. You have two hours to complete the test, and you need a score of 70% (42 correct answers) to pass. The questions cover 12 core topic areas, but the distribution is not equal — some areas carry heavier weight than others.

Key Topic Areas on the Part 107 Exam

How to Pass Part 107 Test: Your Study Strategy

Passing the Part 107 test is not about memorizing every regulation — it’s about understanding how to apply rules in real-world scenarios. The FAA designs questions to test your judgment, not just your recall. Here’s a proven study strategy.

Step 1: Start with the FAA’s Free Resources

Before spending any money, complete the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) online course. This free course covers the same material as the exam and is officially endorsed by the FAA. It takes about 8–10 hours to complete and includes interactive modules and quizzes. You can access it through the FAA’s website by searching “FAASTeam Part 107 course.”

Step 2: Master Sectional Charts First

Sectional charts are the most feared topic on the exam. Spend at least 40% of your study time here. Learn to identify airspace classes by their boundaries: Class B is a solid blue line, Class C is solid magenta, Class D is dashed blue, and Class E starts at either 700 or 1,200 feet AGL indicated by shaded magenta or blue. Practice reading chart legends, identifying obstructions (tall towers, buildings), and understanding the altitude values printed on the chart.

Step 3: Understand Weather Reports

You must be able to read METARs (hourly weather reports) and TAFs (terminal aerodrome forecasts). Focus on decoding cloud cover (FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC), visibility values, and wind direction/speed. The FAA will ask you to determine if weather conditions permit VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight. For Part 107, you need at least 3 statute miles visibility and cloud clearance of 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, and 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds.

Part 107 Study Guide Free: Best Free Resources

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on expensive courses. Here are the best free resources to prepare for the Part 107 exam in 2026.

FAA Remote Pilot Certificate Cost: What You’ll Pay

Getting your FAA Remote Pilot Certificate involves several costs. Here’s the breakdown for 2026.

• Exam fee: $175 paid to PSI (the testing service) at the time of scheduling
• FAA registration fee: $5 every 3 years through the Registration Calculator on DroneZone
• TSA background check: Included in the $175 exam fee — no additional cost
• Study materials: $0 to $200 depending on whether you use free resources or buy a course
• Recurrent test (every 24 months): Free online through FAASTeam

The total cost to obtain your certificate is typically between $175 and $375, making it one of the most affordable professional certifications in aviation.

Part 107 Exam Difficulty: How Hard Is It Really?

The Part 107 exam is often described as moderately difficult. The pass rate is approximately 85-90% for first-time test-takers who study adequately. The difficulty comes from the breadth of topics rather than the depth. You don’t need to be a pilot or have aviation experience to pass, but you do need to commit 15–30 hours of focused study. The sectional chart questions are the hardest because they require spatial reasoning and interpretation of complex symbols. Weather questions are also challenging if you’ve never decoded a METAR before.

Part 107 Practice Test: How to Use Them Effectively

Taking practice tests is the single most effective way to prepare. But not all practice tests are equal. Use them strategically.

When to Take Practice Tests

Take your first practice test before studying — this gives you a baseline score and shows your weakest areas. Then study for one week and take a second test. Continue this cycle until you consistently score 80% or higher on multiple tests. The FAA’s official sample questions are the most reliable, but third-party tests from Pilot Institute or Tony Northrup are also excellent.

What to Do After Each Practice Test

Don’t just look at your score. Review every question you got wrong and understand why. Write down the correct rule or concept. If you missed a chart question, go back and study that airspace type again. This targeted review is far more effective than rereading the entire study guide.

Study Plan: 2-Week Intensive vs 4-Week Casual

Your study timeline depends on your schedule and learning style. Here are two proven plans.

2-Week Intensive Plan (15+ hours per week)

• Week 1, Days 1–2: FAASTeam course — complete all modules and quizzes
• Week 1, Days 3–4: Sectional charts — study airspace classes, boundaries, and legends. Take a practice test on charts only.
• Week 1, Days 5–7: Weather — learn METARs, TAFs, cloud types, and visibility rules. Take a weather-only practice test.
• Week 2, Days 1–3: Regulations, emergency procedures, loading & performance, human factors
• Week 2, Days 4–5: Full-length practice tests — take 3–4 tests and review every mistake
• Week 2, Day 6: Light review of weak areas, rest
• Week 2, Day 7: Exam day

4-Week Casual Plan (7–10 hours per week)

• Week 1: FAASTeam course — complete at your own pace
• Week 2: Sectional charts and weather — study one topic per day
• Week 3: Regulations, emergency procedures, loading & performance, human factors
• Week 4: Practice tests — take 5–6 tests, review mistakes, retake weak areas

What to Expect on Exam Day

Your exam is administered at a PSI testing center. Here’s a checklist of what to bring and what will happen.

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or military ID)
• FAA Tracking Number (FTN) — you’ll receive this after creating an IACRA account
• Calculator — only non-programmable calculators are allowed. The testing center may provide one.
• Scratch paper and pen — the testing center will provide these
• Arrive 15–20 minutes early — late arrivals may forfeit the exam fee

The exam is computer-based. You’ll have two hours to answer 60 questions. You can flag questions to review later. After submitting, you’ll see your score immediately. If you pass, you’ll receive a temporary certificate. The permanent certificate arrives by mail within 6–8 weeks.

Top 10 Questions Most People Get Wrong

Based on data from multiple testing centers, here are the question types that trip up the most candidates.

1. Airspace floor identification: Confusing 700 ft vs 1,200 ft AGL floor for Class E airspace
2. Cloud clearance requirements: Forgetting the specific distances (500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal)
3. METAR decoding: Misreading wind direction (e.g., 23015G25KT means wind from 230° at 15 knots gusting 25)
4. Right-of-way rules: Drones must yield to all manned aircraft — this is absolute
5. Maximum altitude over structures: 400 ft above the structure’s highest point, not above ground level
6. Night operations: Require anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles
7. Weight and balance: Calculating center of gravity shifts when adding or removing payload
8. Emergency procedures: What to do if you lose GPS or link with the controller
9. Radio communication: Understanding phraseology like “negative” (no) and “roger” (received)
10. Human factors: Recognizing symptoms of hypoxia (impaired judgment, euphoria) and fatigue

After Passing: What You Can and Can’t Do with Part 107

Passing the exam is just the beginning. Here’s what your Part 107 certificate allows and restricts.

What You Can Do

• Fly drones for commercial purposes (real estate, inspections, mapping, etc.)
• Fly up to 400 ft AGL (or 400 ft above a structure if within 400 ft of it)
• Fly during daylight and civil twilight (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset) with anti-collision lighting
• Fly over people under certain conditions (Category 1–4 drones based on weight and design)
• Fly at night with proper lighting

What You Can’t Do

• Fly over moving vehicles unless the drone is under 0.55 lbs (250g) or meets Category 2–4 requirements
• Fly from a moving vehicle unless over a sparsely populated area
• Operate in controlled airspace without LAANC authorization
• Fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without a waiver
• Carry hazardous materials

Renewing Your Part 107 Every 24 Months

Your Part 107 certificate is valid for 24 calendar months from the date of issuance. To renew, you must pass the Part 107 Recurrent Knowledge Test. The good news: this test is free and can be taken online through the FAASTeam website. It’s shorter than the initial exam (about 30 questions) and focuses on regulatory updates and common scenarios. You can take it from home, and if you pass, your certificate is extended for another 24 months.

Summary: Your Action Plan for Passing Part 107 in 2026

Passing the FAA Part 107 exam is achievable with the right approach. Start with the free FAASTeam course, spend extra time on sectional charts and weather, and take multiple practice tests until you consistently score above 80%. The total cost is around $175–$375, and the certificate opens the door to commercial drone work across the United States. Use the Registration Calculator to manage your drone’s registration, and the Weight Checker Tool to understand operational limits. Schedule your exam when you’re scoring well on practice tests, and arrive prepared on exam day. You’ve got this.

Frequently Asked Questions