The Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge test is the gateway credential for every commercial drone pilot in the United States under 14 CFR Part 107. Passing the test, applying through IACRA, and receiving the Remote Pilot Certificate is the path to legally accept any compensated drone work — even a single real estate photograph.
This guide delivers the 2026 test mechanics, the topic breakdown, the proven study approach, and the post-pass certification application — all anchored to FAA-published primary sources.
1. The Statutory Foundation — § 107.61
Under 14 CFR § 107.61, a person seeking a Remote Pilot Certificate must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Read, write, speak, and understand English
- Be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a small unmanned aircraft
- Pass an aeronautical knowledge test administered by an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center
- Pass a TSA security threat assessment
eCFR text: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107/subpart-C/section-107.61
The certificate is then issued under § 107.63 after the FAA completes processing.
2. The Test — Format and Mechanics
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) |
| Question count | 60 multiple-choice |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70% (42/60 correct) |
| Fee | ~$175 (paid to FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center) |
| Location | FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Centers nationwide |
| Materials allowed | Plotter, pencil, calculator (most centers provide); FAA legend supplements provided |
| Result | Issued at the test center upon completion |
After passing, the operator receives an Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) immediately. This is the document used in the IACRA application for the certificate.
The FAA's Become a Drone Pilot resource is at https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot.
3. The Topic Breakdown — What's Tested
The UAG exam covers approximately the following topic distribution:
| Topic | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Regulations (14 CFR Part 107) | 15–25% |
| Airspace classification and operating requirements | 15–25% |
| Aviation weather (METAR, TAF, ceiling, visibility) | 15–25% |
| Loading and performance | 5–10% |
| Emergency procedures | 5–10% |
| Crew resource management | 5–10% |
| Radio communications procedures | 5–10% |
| Determining performance | 5–10% |
| Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol | 5% |
| Aeronautical decision-making and judgment | 5–10% |
| Airport operations | 5–10% |
| Maintenance and preflight inspection | 5–10% |
| Operating at night (post-2021 update) | 5% |
| 14 CFR Part 89 Remote ID | 5% |
The exact distribution varies by exam version. Recent updates emphasize Remote ID compliance and night operations.
4. The Proven Four-Stage Study Approach
Stage 1 — Read the FAA Primary Materials (Free)
The single best source is the FAA's free Aeronautical Knowledge Study Guide for Part 107, available on the FAA UAS portal. Supporting documents:
- 14 CFR Part 107 full text — https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107
- FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge) — sections on weather, airspace, aerodynamics
- FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook)
- FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) — sections on airspace and ATC
Stage 2 — Master the Sectional Chart
Sectional charts are the primary visual on the test. Skills to master:
- Identifying airspace class boundaries (Class B/C/D/E)
- Reading altitude ceilings (e.g., "12000 / 4000" = Class B from 4000 to 12000 ft MSL)
- Identifying obstructions and prohibited/restricted areas
- Calculating distance from airports
- Identifying special use airspace
The FAA legend is published with the chart and provided as a reference during the exam.
Stage 3 — Practice Test Questions
Take at least 200 practice questions across multiple sources. Aim to consistently score 80%+ on practice exams before scheduling the actual test.
Reliable practice question banks reflect the FAA's released questions and cover all topic areas.
Stage 4 — Take the Test in a Focused State
Schedule the test on a day with no other commitments. Sleep well. Review your error patterns from practice tests one final time. Bring photo identification.
5. The IACRA Application — Post-Test Steps
After passing, complete the following within 48 hours:
Step 1 — Collect Documentation
You will need:
- Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) — issued at test center
- Photo identification matching the AKTR
- Mailing address for the plastic certificate
Step 2 — Create or Log In to IACRA
IACRA is at https://iacra.faa.gov/. Create an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) if you don't have one. The FTN is your permanent identifier in FAA systems.
Step 3 — Start the Remote Pilot Application
Select "Start New Application" and choose "Remote Pilot."
Step 4 — Enter Your Information
Provide name, address, contact information, AKTR exam ID, and test center. Sign electronically.
Step 5 — Submit the Application
Submit. The FAA will conduct the TSA security threat assessment.
Step 6 — Receive Temporary Certificate
After TSA clearance (typically 7–14 days), the FAA issues a temporary certificate via IACRA. This is sufficient for legal flight.
Step 7 — Receive Permanent Certificate
The plastic Remote Pilot Certificate arrives by mail within 6–8 weeks of TSA clearance.
6. Common Test Errors — A Gyoseishoshi Compliance Lens
As MmowW Drone is operated by a licensed Gyoseishoshi (行政書士) office, we observe these recurring errors among test takers:
Error 1 — Misreading airspace altitudes Sectional chart altitude notations (e.g., "12000/4000") trip up applicants who confuse MSL (Mean Sea Level) with AGL (Above Ground Level).
Error 2 — Forgetting that UAS operations are limited to 400 ft AGL Several test questions about altitude rules require knowledge of § 107.51(b).
Error 3 — Confusing TFR and NOTAM TFRs are time-bounded restrictions; NOTAMs are notices that include but are not limited to TFRs. The exam may differentiate.
Error 4 — Misidentifying airspace classes Class B (around major airports) vs Class C (medium airports) vs Class D (smaller airports with control tower) requires careful study of sectional chart visual conventions.
Error 5 — Underestimating weather questions Weather (METAR, TAF, density altitude, ceiling, visibility) is heavily tested. Applicants who skip weather study lose easy points.
Error 6 — Skipping the Remote ID Part 89 content Recent test updates added Remote ID questions. Applicants who studied from pre-2023 materials may miss these.
7. Recurrent Currency After You Pass
Once you have your certificate, you must complete ALC-677 online recurrent training every 24 calendar months under § 107.65. The course is free, online, takes ~1.5–2 hours, and contains no exam.
The FAA recurrent training announcement is at https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/recurrent-training-courses-drone-pilots-available-online.
The certificate itself does not expire; the knowledge currency expires if ALC-677 is not completed within 24 months.
8. Special Pathway — Existing Part 61 Pilots
Pilots who hold a manned-aircraft Part 61 certificate (private, commercial, ATP) and a current flight review may take a streamlined path:
- Complete the FAA's free online ALC course (no UAG knowledge test required)
- Apply via IACRA for the Remote Pilot Certificate
This pathway avoids the $175 UAG test fee. Reference: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot
9. After You Pass — What's Next
Pass the UAG → receive Remote Pilot Certificate → you can:
- Conduct commercial drone flights under Part 107
- Apply for § 107.200 waivers (airspace, BVLOS, etc.)
- Register aircraft as Part 107 commercial ($5/aircraft)
- Provide compensated services as a drone operator
Follow this with:
- Aircraft registration via FAA DroneZone (each aircraft, $5, 3-year validity)
- Remote ID compliance verification under 14 CFR Part 89
- Liability insurance procurement (industry standard $1M+)
- LAANC app installation for airspace authorization
- Standard Operating Procedures development
- Comprehensive flight logging system
10. The Best Practice Test Preparation Timeline
Week 1–2: FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Study Guide (free), 14 CFR Part 107 reading, sectional chart introduction.
Week 3–4: Weather (FAA-H-8083-25), airspace classifications, airport operations.
Week 5: Remote ID (14 CFR Part 89), night operations (§ 107.29), waivers.
Week 6: Practice exams. Take 5–10 full-length exams. Review every wrong answer.
Week 7: Schedule the UAG test. Take it during a focused, well-rested period.
Week 8 (post-pass): Apply via IACRA, receive temporary certificate, register aircraft, install LAANC app.
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Disclaimer
This article provides legal information, not legal advice. MmowW Drone is operated by a licensed Gyoseishoshi (行政書士) office in Japan. We are not US attorneys or licensed FAA legal counsel. For binding legal opinions on FAA compliance, consult a US-licensed aviation attorney.
Sources
- 14 CFR § 107.61 — Eligibility — https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107/subpart-C/section-107.61
- 14 CFR Part 107 (eCFR) — https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107
- FAA Become a Drone Pilot — https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot
- IACRA — https://iacra.faa.gov/
- FAA Recurrent Training — https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/recurrent-training-courses-drone-pilots-available-online
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