If a drone photo helps a business, even your own, the FAA treats the flight as commercial. That means a remote pilot certificate, not just a hobby test.
This guide is general information for creators and businesses in the U.S., not legal advice. Copyright, licensing and drone rules depend on the facts and change over time; check the Copyright Office, the FAA or a lawyer for your situation.
Quick notes
- Flying for any business purpose, including photos for your own company, requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107.
- Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test and register drones over 250 grams.
- Registered drones must broadcast Remote ID; the FAA began enforcing the rule on March 16, 2024.
- Part 107 limits include 400 feet above ground, visual line of sight and authorization in controlled airspace.
The Federal Aviation Administration regulates small drones under two sets of rules: one for recreational flyers and one, Part 107, for everyone else. The line isn’t whether you’re paid; it’s whether the flight furthers a business.
Recreational or commercial?
| Flight | Rules |
|---|---|
| Pure hobby, photos for yourself | Recreational: pass the free TRUST test, follow community safety guidelines |
| Photos for your own business’s website or social media | Commercial: Part 107 |
| Real estate, weddings, roof inspections, marketing for clients | Commercial: Part 107 |
Getting a Part 107 certificate
- Be at least 16 and able to read, speak and understand English.
- Get an FAA Tracking Number through IACRA.
- Pass the aeronautical knowledge test at an approved testing center; the fee has commonly been about $175.
- Complete the application in IACRA and pass the TSA security check.
- Keep current by completing the FAA’s free online recurrent training every 24 months.
Registration and Remote ID
- Part 107 pilots must register every drone they fly commercially, whatever its weight. Registration costs $5 and lasts three years.
- Recreational flyers must register drones weighing more than 250 grams.
- Remote ID: registered drones must broadcast identification and location, either built in or through an add-on module, unless flown within an FAA-recognized identification area. The FAA began enforcing the rule on March 16, 2024.
Basic operating limits under Part 107
- Fly no higher than 400 feet above ground level, unless near a structure.
- Keep the drone within your visual line of sight.
- Get authorization before flying in controlled airspace near airports; LAANC apps can provide it in minutes at many locations.
- Follow the rules for flying over people and moving vehicles, which depend on the drone’s category.
- Night flights require anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles.
Careful: Temporary flight restrictions pop up around wildfires, stadium events and VIP visits. Check the FAA’s B4UFLY tools or a LAANC app right before every flight, not just when you plan it.
Aerial photos are copyrighted like any others, so the same protections apply; see registering copyright for your photos. And if people appear recognizably in marketing shots, you may need model releases.
FAQs
How much does the Part 107 test cost?
The knowledge test is taken at an FAA-approved testing center, and the fee has commonly been about $175. Check the current price when you book.
Can I fly in a national park?
Launching, landing or operating drones from National Park Service land is prohibited without special authorization. State parks and cities may have their own rules too.
Do I need permission to photograph people’s property from the air?
FAA rules cover safety, not privacy. State and local laws on privacy, trespass and harassment still apply, so avoid capturing people in private spaces.