Can You Use an A2 CofC for Commercial Drone Work in the UK?

A common myth is that flying a drone for money requires a special commercial licence. In the UK, that is not how the system works. The rules focus on the risk of the operation, not whether you are paid. This guide explains how the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) fits into commercial drone work.

No separate commercial licence

The UK abolished the old distinction between commercial and recreational drone permissions some years ago. Today, what matters is which category and subcategory your flight falls into. If a paid job can be completed within Open Category limits, you do not need a Specific Category authorisation to do it.

How the A2 CofC supports paid work

If you hold an A2 CofC and fly a C2-class drone, you may operate as close as 30 metres horizontally from uninvolved people (5 metres in a low-speed mode where available). For many commercial tasks, such as property photography or roof inspections in less crowded settings, those distances are workable. The A2 CofC therefore enables a meaningful amount of paid work entirely within the Open Category.

When you need more than an A2 CofC

The Open Category has firm limits. You cannot fly over assemblies of people, you must stay within visual line of sight, and you must respect the maximum height of 120 metres. If a job requires operating beyond these limits, for example flying closer to crowds, beyond visual line of sight, or at greater heights, you move into the Specific Category. That requires a General VLOS Certificate (GVC) and an operational authorisation from the CAA.

Practical examples

• Estate photography in a quiet area: often achievable with an A2 CofC and a C2-class drone.
• Filming a busy public event: generally requires the Specific Category and a GVC.
• Roof survey of a detached building: may fit within the Open Category depending on surroundings.

Don't forget insurance and registration

Commercial operators in the UK are generally expected to hold appropriate insurance that meets the relevant regulation. You also need a valid Operator ID and, as the remote pilot, a Flyer ID. These obligations apply regardless of whether you hold an A2 CofC or a GVC.

Summary

An A2 CofC can absolutely support commercial drone work, provided the operation stays within Open Category limits. For anything riskier, plan for a GVC and an operational authorisation. Match the qualification to the job, not to whether money changes hands.