What does the Part 107 exam cost in total?
Separate the knowledge test from the other parts of becoming a remote pilot. The Unmanned Aircraft General, Small (UAG) test is a paid appointment at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center operated by PSI. You pay when you schedule at faa.psiexams.com. The testing vendor sets the fee, so check the current amount there before you book rather than relying on any older price quoted elsewhere.
The application and security steps after the test do not add a charge. Registration is different: it applies to your drone, not your exam seat or certificate. Under Part 107, every drone must be registered in FAA DroneZone. Study tools are a separate personal choice. You can prepare with official FAA material without buying an app or a course.
| Item | Cost | Required or optional |
|---|---|---|
| UAG knowledge test | $175 per attempt | Required for the initial test path |
| IACRA application | Free | Required for the initial test path |
| TSA security check | Free | Part of certificate processing |
| Temporary certificate | Free | Issued after processing |
| Drone registration in FAA DroneZone | $5 per drone, valid for 3 years | Required for every Part 107 drone |
| FAA official study material | Free | Optional study resource |
| Part 107 Prep Premium | $14.99 one-time | Optional study app |
| FAA recurrent training | Free | Required to maintain currency |
How much is a Part 107 test retake?
A retake costs the test fee again. At the stated $175 per attempt, paying for the initial attempt and another attempt would mean two separate test payments. That is why the most consequential avoidable expense is not a study tool but an unprepared exam appointment. There is no guarantee that any study method will prevent a retake, yet practicing before you schedule helps you see what you still need to learn.
If you do not pass, you must wait 14 calendar days before retesting under 14 CFR 107.71. Use the Airman Knowledge Test Report you receive after your attempt to identify the ACS codes for the knowledge areas you missed. Those codes give your next study session a more useful focus than simply repeating the same general material.
Which certificate steps are free?
Creating your IACRA profile starts the application path. After you pass the test, you complete FAA Form 8710-13 in IACRA and the TSA security background check follows. The IACRA application, the security check and the temporary certificate cost nothing. Do not confuse a charge for a private preparation product with an FAA processing charge.
The temporary certificate is a bridge while the permanent certificate is processed. Once the security check is complete, you receive a confirmation email with instructions to print it from IACRA. The permanent certificate is mailed after FAA processing. The temporary certificate is valid for up to 120 calendar days under 14 CFR 107.64.
Does a drone license cost include registration?
No. The exam is about your aeronautical knowledge; registration identifies the aircraft you operate. FAA DroneZone registration is $5 per drone and remains valid for 3 years. Under Part 107 every drone must be registered. When budgeting, keep that aircraft expense on its own line rather than folding it into a supposed all-inclusive license price.
If you plan to operate more than one drone, remember that registration is per drone. For a single aircraft, the registration charge is separate from the knowledge test fee. This distinction also makes comparisons with prep products clearer: a study app does not pay PSI or register your aircraft for you.
Can you study for the FAA test for free?
Yes. The FAA provides free official study material. The test uses the FAA testing supplement, FAA-CT-8080-2H, which includes sectional chart excerpts and other figures. Working with the actual type of material you will use at the testing center is worthwhile, especially when reading a chart feels less familiar than answering a definition question.
Part 107 Prep offers free daily practice, including official FAA sample questions. Its optional Premium purchase unlocks the broader exam-style question set, real FAA charts with pinch-to-zoom, explanations tied to ACS codes and an exam simulation. That purchase is for an independent study app, not an FAA or PSI fee. The app is not affiliated with either organization.
How can you reduce the chance of paying twice?
Start by understanding the UAG test rather than memorizing isolated answers. It has 60 multiple-choice questions with three options each, a 2-hour limit and a passing score of 70%, which means at least 42 correct answers. Practice with a mix of topics, then review why an answer was right or wrong. Keep the testing supplement nearby so chart questions are not a surprise.
If your practice exposes a weak area, spend time on that area before scheduling. The ACS topic weights include Regulations, Airspace and Requirements, Weather, Loading and Performance, and Operations. A balanced study session is more useful than repeating only your favorite subject. Practice cannot promise an exam result, but it can show you where to concentrate your effort.
Is recurrent training another paid test?
No. The Remote Pilot Certificate does not expire, but Part 107 flying requires current aeronautical knowledge. The FAA's recurrent training is a free online course on FAASafety.gov, not another visit to a PSI testing center. If you see a site asking you to pay to renew the certificate, distinguish its private offer from the official free course.
This matters when estimating long-term costs. Your initial test appointment, aircraft registration and optional preparation are different from recurrent training. Our app is designed to help with the initial UAG test; the FAA provides the recurrent course itself. See the renewal guide for the currency rule and how to take the official course.