How to Get a Drone License in 2026: FAA Part 107 + Transport Canada

Quick Answer: For U.S. flyers, pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test and complete TSA background checks to get a Remote Pilot Certificate. For Canadian flyers, pass the Small Basic or Advanced exam through Transport Canada. Both countries require a registered drone for most operations. Commercial work always needs the correct certificate before paid flights. Getting a drone license in 2026 depends on where and how you fly. In the United States, the FAA oversees most airspace. Commercial pilots need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. In Canada, Transport Canada issues a Pilot Certificate for Basic or Advanced Operations. Both countries have changed small drone rules in recent years. Drone laws USA covers U.S. specifics. Drone laws Canada covers Canadian rules. You must understand local requirements before you book an exam. Do not assume a small drone is exempt from every rule. ...

August 13, 2026 · 10 min · Jarrod Gravison

Drone Laws in the USA 2026: FAA Part 107, Remote ID & TRUST

Quick Answer: Most U.S. drone flights in 2026 follow either recreational rules or Part 107 commercial rules. Recreational pilots must pass the free TRUST test and fly a registered drone. Commercial pilots need a Remote Pilot Certificate. Remote ID is required for nearly all drones over 0.55 pounds. The FAA drone system has grown fast. In 2025, the agency counted more than one million registered drones in the United States. That number keeps climbing as compact models like the DJI Mini 5 Pro make flying easier. But every new pilot enters a web of rules. You cannot simply charge a battery and launch from your backyard. The rules split into two broad paths: recreational and commercial. Your first job is to know which path applies to your flight. The FAA updates guidance each year. Canada has a separate set of rules through Transport Canada. For U.S. pilots, the core framework stays stable in 2026. ...

August 13, 2026 · 9 min · Jarrod Gravison