Commercial Drone Licensing Compared: UK and Beyond

Commercial Licensing Overview

Commercial drone operations require additional qualifications beyond basic registration in most countries. The specific requirements, costs, and pathways vary, but all share the goal of demonstrating that operators can conduct commercial work safely and in compliance with aviation regulations.

United Kingdom

The UK offers two primary commercial qualification pathways:

• A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC): Allows flights closer to uninvolved persons with drones in the C2 class (under 4kg). Requires online theory training, self-study, and a supervised practical examination. Can typically be completed within a few days.
• General VLOS Certificate (GVC): The standard pathway for professional commercial operators. Involves classroom or online ground school, practical flight assessment, and submission of an operations manual. Leads to an Operational Authorisation (OA) from the CAA, which specifies permitted operations. More comprehensive and typically requires several days of training.

UK commercial qualifications are valid only within the United Kingdom. Operators wishing to work in other countries must obtain local qualifications or authorisations.

European Union (EASA Member States)

EASA provides a unified commercial framework across all member states:

• A2 Remote Pilot Certificate: Similar to the UK's A2 CofC, enabling closer operations to people with appropriate class drones. Training is delivered through approved entities in any EASA member state.
• Specific Category Authorisations: For operations outside the Open category, operators submit a risk assessment (typically using the SORA methodology) to their national authority. Standardised scenarios (STS-01 and STS-02) provide predefined authorisations for common commercial operations.

The principal advantage of the EASA system is portability: a qualification or authorisation obtained in one member state is recognised across all EASA countries (EU members plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein). This makes the EASA framework the broadest cross-border commercial system currently in operation.

United States

The FAA requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for all commercial drone operations. The process involves:

• Passing an aeronautical knowledge test (60 questions, 70% pass mark) at an FAA-approved testing centre
• TSA security background check
• Biennial recurrent knowledge testing or online training

The Part 107 system is notably streamlined compared to some other countries. No practical flight test is required, and the entire process can be completed independently without attending a training course (though many operators choose to take preparatory courses). The Part 107 certificate is valid only within the United States.

Australia

CASA requires two credentials for most commercial drone operations:

• Remote Pilot Licence (RePL): Obtained through a CASA-approved training provider. Includes theory and practical flight assessments. Covers operational knowledge, airspace, and safety management.
• Remote Operator Certificate (ReOC): An organisational certificate held by the business conducting drone operations. Requires documented procedures, insurance, and safety management systems.

The ReOC requirement means that individual pilots cannot simply obtain a licence and begin commercial work — they must either hold or operate under a ReOC. Excluded categories exist for very low-risk operations with sub-2kg drones.

Canada

Transport Canada's commercial framework centres on pilot certificates:

• Basic Operations: For flights in uncontrolled airspace, more than 30 metres from bystanders. Requires passing the Basic exam (35 questions, 65% pass mark) plus a flight review.
• Advanced Operations: For flights in controlled airspace or near bystanders. Requires the Advanced exam (50 questions, 80% pass mark) plus a flight review with additional manoeuvres.

Canadian certificates are valid only within Canada. The flight review component distinguishes Canada from the USA, which does not require practical assessment for Part 107.

New Zealand

CAA NZ uses a Part 102 framework for commercial operations that fall outside standard Part 101 conditions. Operators submit an exposition (operations manual) to CAA NZ for approval. The process is tailored to the applicant's intended operations and does not follow a standardised training-and-examination model. This flexibility can be advantageous for specialised operators but requires more preparation than standardised pathways.

Cost and Time Comparison

• UK GVC: Typically GBP 1,000-2,000 for training; several days to complete
• EASA A2: Varies by country; typically EUR 300-800
• USA Part 107: USD 175 examination fee; self-study possible
• Australia RePL: Typically AUD 2,000-5,000 for training; ReOC additional
• Canada Advanced: Typically CAD 500-2,000 for training and flight review