FAA Drone License: Requirements & Compliance in AZ/NV | Extreme Aerial Productions

A Phoenix structural engineering firm reached out in December 2025 needing urgent aerial inspection of a mixed-use development in Scottsdale. Their concern was simple but serious: our pilot needed to have a valid FAA drone license. They had worked with an unlicensed operator months earlier and the footage was worthless when the city asked for proof of compliance. We confirmed our Part 107 certification, flew the site within 48 hours, and delivered georeferenced progress imagery that passed city review. The GC avoided a potential $10,000 stop-work penalty and kept the project on schedule for a January 2026 handover.

Project Snapshot: Scottsdale, AZ construction inspection. Deliverables: 4K progress stills, oblique angles, georeferenced orthomosaic at 1 inch GSD. DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise with RTK. 48-hour turnaround from request to delivery. Constraints: Class D airspace coordination with Scottsdale Airport, wind gusts to 22 mph, mid-afternoon reflections on glazing. Airspace cleared through LAANC authorization for flights below 200 feet AGL.

Why You Need an FAA Drone License for Commercial Work

Every commercial drone operation in the United States requires the pilot in command to hold a valid Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 regulations. Commercial means any operation where you or your client receives compensation, value, or promotional benefit. That includes real estate photography, construction progress documentation, mapping deliverables, roof inspections, and film work.

We have held our FAA drone license since 2014 and renewed it every 24 months as required. The certificate shows clients, insurance carriers, and authorities that we understand airspace classification, weather minimums, crew resource management, emergency procedures, and operational risk assessment. It is not optional and it is not negotiable.

The FAA issued 412,000 active Remote Pilot Certificates as of December 2025, according to agency data published in January 2026. That number includes initial certifications and recurrent knowledge test renewals. Enforcement actions for unlicensed commercial operations increased 47% year-over-year in 2025, based on the FAA's enforcement update released in February 2026. Penalties start at $1,100 per violation and can reach $32,666 for repeat or egregious cases.

How to Get Your FAA Drone License

The process to become a drone pilot follows five steps. First, confirm you are at least 16 years old, can read and speak English, and are in physical and mental condition to operate safely. Second, create an FAA Tracking Number through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. Third, schedule and pass the Part 107 initial aeronautical knowledge test at a PSI testing center. Fourth, complete TSA background vetting. Fifth, receive your Remote Pilot Certificate in the mail and download the digital version through IACRA.

The knowledge test covers 60 multiple-choice questions. You need a 70% or higher to pass. Test topics include airspace classification, weather theory, loading and performance, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communication, airport operations, and maintenance. We budget three to four weeks of self-study for someone with no prior aviation experience. Pilots with an existing manned aircraft certificate can skip the knowledge test but must complete the FAA's free Part 107 online training course.

Testing fees run $175 as of 2026. Certificate processing typically takes four to six weeks after passing the test. You can begin flying commercially the day you receive your certificate. We recommend carrying a physical or digital copy on every mission and having your registration certificate for each aircraft readily available.

Recurrent training is mandatory every 24 months. You must pass the Part 107 recurrent knowledge test at a PSI center or complete the FAA's free online recurrent training course. Both options renew your certificate for another two years. We complete our recurrent training at least 60 days before expiration to avoid any lapse in certification.

Remote ID Compliance and Current Enforcement

Remote ID became a non-negotiable requirement on March 16, 2024, when the FAA ended its discretionary enforcement policy on Remote ID. Every drone operated under Part 107 must now broadcast identification and location information unless flying in an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Most commercial operations do not take place in FRIAs, so compliance is required.

You can meet Remote ID in three ways. First, fly a drone with built-in Standard Remote ID that broadcasts from takeoff to shutdown. Second, attach an external Remote ID broadcast module to older aircraft that lack built-in capability. Third, operate exclusively within a FRIA, which are extremely rare and typically managed by community-based organizations for recreational use.

We fly DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK and Matrice 30T platforms, both equipped with Standard Remote ID from the factory. Our broadcasts include our certificate number, aircraft serial number, takeoff location, current position, altitude, velocity, and timestamp. This data is accessible to FAA enforcement, law enforcement, and other authorized parties.

Non-compliance penalties mirror those for flying without a license. The FAA issued 89 Remote ID enforcement actions in the first quarter of 2026, according to enforcement statistics released in April 2026. Average fines ranged from $1,800 to $4,200 per violation. We have not received a single violation or warning because every aircraft in our fleet meets or exceeds the requirement.

Aircraft Registration and Operational Rules

Every drone used for commercial work must be registered with the FAA. Registration costs $5 per aircraft and is valid for three years. You receive a unique registration number that must be displayed externally on the aircraft or stored internally in a compartment accessible without tools. We mark our registration numbers on battery compartments using a label printer with UV-resistant material.

Part 107 operational rules define where, when, and how you can fly. Maximum altitude is 400 feet above ground level unless operating within 400 feet of a structure. Maximum groundspeed is 100 mph. You must maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft at all times unless you have a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver. You cannot fly over people unless they are directly participating in the operation, under a covered structure, or inside a stationary vehicle. You cannot fly from a moving vehicle unless operating over a sparsely populated area.

Daylight operations are permitted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. Night operations require anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles and completion of updated night training as outlined in the 2025 Part 107 updates. We added Lume Cube strobes to our Mavic 3 fleet and completed night training in March 2025 to support construction sites running second shift work.

Airspace authorization is required for operations in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface E). We use the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system for near-real-time approvals in supported airspace. For areas without LAANC coverage or flights above LAANC ceiling, we submit manual Part 107 waivers through the FAA Drone Zone portal. Approval times range from same-day for LAANC to 90 days for complex manual waivers.

Insurance Requirements and Client Expectations

Part 107 does not mandate liability insurance, but every serious commercial operator carries it. Clients expect proof of coverage before you fly. Film productions typically require $1 million general liability and $5 million excess liability. Construction GCs want $2 million aggregate minimum. Engineering firms and surveyors ask for professional liability endorsements covering errors and omissions in deliverables.

We carry $5 million general liability, $5 million excess liability, and $1 million hull coverage on each aircraft. Our policies name clients as additional insured upon request and provide certificates of insurance within 24 hours. We have submitted 127 insurance certificates in 2025 for projects across Arizona and Nevada, including work in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Henderson, and Las Vegas.

Proof of your FAA drone license often accompanies the certificate of insurance. Clients want to see your Remote Pilot Certificate number, expiration date, and confirmation that the pilot flying the mission holds current certification. We include this in every project quote and confirm it during the pre-flight safety briefing with site supervisors.

Field Note: Why We Complete Recurrent Training Early

Mark and the team complete our Part 107 recurrent training 60 to 90 days before expiration. We learned this the hard way in 2018 when a pilot's certificate lapsed three days before a scheduled Las Vegas high-rise shoot. The client had to reschedule, we lost the booking, and the competitor who stepped in became their go-to vendor. Now we set calendar reminders at 90 days out and complete the recurrent test immediately. It takes 90 minutes online, costs nothing, and eliminates the risk of downtime. Every pilot on our roster follows the same protocol, and we maintain a shared spreadsheet tracking expiration dates for the entire crew.

What Happens During an FAA Inspection

The FAA conducts both random and complaint-driven ramp checks. An inspector can request your Remote Pilot Certificate, aircraft registration, proof of Remote ID compliance, maintenance logs, and pre-flight checklists. You are legally required to present these documents upon request. Refusal or inability to produce them can result in immediate grounding and enforcement action.

We were inspected twice in 2025. The first was a random check during a commercial shoot at Phoenix Sky Harbor's Remote Operations Area in March. The inspector asked for our certificates, registration, LAANC authorization screenshot, and anti-collision lighting specs. We provided everything on-site from our tablet-based flight folder. The second inspection occurred in October during a Las Vegas Strip hotel construction project after a complaint from a nearby building manager. The inspector confirmed our airspace waiver, checked Remote ID broadcast using an FAA monitoring device, and reviewed our crew briefing notes. Both inspections resulted in no findings.

Preparation is the difference between a clean inspection and a violation. We maintain a digital flight folder on every mission containing: PDF copies of all pilot certificates, aircraft registration certificates, insurance certificates, airspace authorizations, site-specific risk assessment, emergency contact numbers, and manufacturer maintenance logs. We can produce any document in under 30 seconds.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Your License

The fastest way to lose your FAA drone license is flying without proper authorization in controlled airspace. The second fastest is operating over people without a waiver or Category 1, 2, or 3 aircraft. The third is flying at night without anti-collision lighting or updated training. All three violations are visible to the FAA through Remote ID broadcasts, ATC radar, and public complaints.

We tracked 18 enforcement cases in Arizona and Nevada during 2025 where operators lost their certificates for 120 to 365 days. Common violations included: unauthorized flights within five miles of airports, night operations without lighting, operating over public gatherings, flying above 400 feet AGL without a waiver, and failure to yield right-of-way to manned aircraft. Reinstatement requires retraining, reexamination, and in some cases legal representation.

Other costly mistakes include failing to complete recurrent training on time, flying with an expired certificate, operating an unregistered aircraft, and falsifying logbook entries. The FAA cross-references Remote ID data with pilot certificates and registration databases. Discrepancies trigger automatic enforcement reviews.

How We Stay Compliant Across AZ and NV

We operate in some of the busiest and most complex airspace in the Southwest. Phoenix Sky Harbor is a Class B airport. Las Vegas McCarran is Class B. Scottsdale, Deer Valley, Henderson Executive, and North Las Vegas are Class D. Most of our work happens within controlled airspace, requiring LAANC or manual authorization for every flight.

Our compliance process starts during the quote phase. We pull airspace data from the FAA's UAS Facility Maps and confirm whether LAANC is available. If not, we inform the client that authorization may take up to 90 days and adjust timelines accordingly. We submit LAANC requests the morning of the flight for maximum flexibility. Manual waivers go in at least 120 days before the mission date.

We also verify Part 107 operational limits against site conditions. If the client wants roof inspection imagery at 450 feet AGL, we explain that a waiver is required and provide a timeline. If they want footage at sunset with people on-site, we confirm anti-collision lighting and people-over restrictions. Clients appreciate the transparency and it eliminates last-minute surprises.

Every pilot carries a current Remote Pilot Certificate, a government-issued ID, and proof of recurrent training completion. Every aircraft carries a registration certificate in the battery compartment and broadcasts Remote ID from engine start to shutdown. We maintain digital and physical copies of every authorization and waiver. This process has kept us violation-free since 2014.

Why Unlicensed Operators Cost You More Than Money

Hiring an unlicensed operator exposes you to liability, project delays, and enforcement action. If the FAA grounds an unlicensed pilot mid-project, you lose the deliverables and the schedule. If the footage is used in a commercial context and the FAA discovers it was captured by an uncertified pilot, you can face penalties as the client who hired them. If the operator causes an incident and lacks insurance, you absorb the damages.

We have replaced unlicensed operators on 14 projects in 2025. Each time the client came to us after discovering their original vendor had no certificate, no insurance, or both. In one case, a Henderson commercial developer hired a photographer offering drone services as an add-on. The photographer crashed into a parked car on-site, had no insurance, and disappeared. The developer paid $8,400 in repairs and still needed the aerial shots. We completed the mission the following week with full coverage and delivered the imagery on time.

Verification is simple. Ask for the pilot's Remote Pilot Certificate number and expiration date. Cross-reference it against the FAA's Airmen Certification Database. Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as additional insured. Ask for proof of aircraft registration and Remote ID compliance. If the operator cannot provide these in 24 hours, walk away.

Staying Current on Regulatory Changes

The FAA updates Part 107 rules every 12 to 24 months. Recent changes include mandatory recurrent training every 24 months (introduced 2023), Remote ID enforcement (began March 2024), expanded night operations with updated training (introduced 2023), and updated people-over rules tied to aircraft categories (introduced 2023). Operators who do not track these changes risk non-compliance.

We subscribe to FAA UAS email updates, monitor the FAA Drone Zone portal, and review enforcement bulletins quarterly. We also track updates from the FAA's getting started page, which consolidates regulatory changes and guidance materials. When a new rule takes effect, we update our procedures, retrain the crew, and notify clients if it impacts deliverables or timelines.

The 2025 regulatory updates introduced stricter enforcement on Remote ID and faster processing for certain waivers. We adjusted by upgrading two legacy aircraft to Remote ID-compliant models and front-loading waiver submissions by 30 days. These changes cost us $4,800 in hardware and 12 hours of administrative time, but we avoided any compliance gaps.

FAQs

How long does it take to get an FAA drone license? Plan for four to six weeks from the day you pass your Part 107 knowledge test to the day you receive your Remote Pilot Certificate. This includes TSA vetting and certificate processing. You can study for the test in three to four weeks with no prior aviation experience.

Do I need to renew my FAA drone license? Yes. Your Remote Pilot Certificate expires every 24 months. You must complete recurrent training either by passing the Part 107 recurrent knowledge test at a PSI center or completing the FAA's free online recurrent course. Failure to renew on time invalidates your certificate and grounds all commercial operations.

Can I fly at night with a Part 107 certificate? Yes, but only after completing updated night operations training introduced in 2023. You must also equip your aircraft with anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles. Night operations run from 30 minutes after official sunset to 30 minutes before official sunrise.

What happens if I fly without an FAA drone license? The FAA can issue fines starting at $1,100 per violation and reaching $32,666 for repeat or egregious cases. You may also face certificate suspension or revocation if you hold other FAA certificates. Civil and criminal penalties apply in cases involving reckless endangerment or interference with manned aircraft.

Do I need insurance to fly commercially with an FAA drone license? Part 107 does not require insurance, but clients do. Most film, construction, and engineering contracts require $1 million to $5 million in liability coverage and proof that the pilot holds a valid Remote Pilot Certificate. Operating without insurance exposes you to significant financial risk in the event of an incident.

Your FAA drone license is the foundation of legal commercial operations. It proves you understand airspace, operational limits, and safety protocols. We maintain current certification, insurance, and Remote ID compliance on every mission across Arizona and Nevada. If you need aerial inspection, mapping, or cinematic footage delivered by licensed, insured pilots, reach out to Extreme Aerial Productions for a fast quote and we will lock the plan, the gear, and the date.