What is the FAA TRUST test?
TRUST stands for The Recreational UAS Safety Test. It is required for recreational flyers under 49 U.S.C. 44809, the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations, and was introduced by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
TRUST is not a pilot license. It shows that you completed basic safety and rules training for recreational flying. If a flight serves any business purpose, Part 107 and the Remote Pilot Certificate apply instead. Our guide do you need a license to fly a drone helps you decide which path fits your flights.
Where can you take the TRUST test?
TRUST is offered only through FAA-approved test administrators. The FAA list includes, among others, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Boy Scouts of America, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Pilot Institute and UAV Coach. Check the FAA's current list and pick an administrator from it.
TRUST is free, and nobody may charge for it. If a site asks you to pay, it is not a legitimate way to take TRUST.
How does the TRUST test work?
The test has a training section and a multiple-choice section. You read through the training material, then answer the questions. All questions are correctable to 100% before the certificate is issued, so you cannot fail.
There is no minimum age, which makes TRUST accessible to young flyers as well. The process looks like this:
- Choose an FAA-approved test administrator from the FAA's list.
- Work through the training section.
- Answer the multiple-choice questions and correct any wrong answers.
- Download, save or print your completion certificate.
- Carry proof of completion whenever you fly.
What happens if you lose your TRUST certificate?
Test administrators keep no record of your certificate, so save it carefully. You must present it if asked by the FAA or law enforcement. If you lose it, you retake TRUST.
A simple habit helps: keep a copy on your phone and a printed copy in your drone case.
What does the TRUST training cover?
TRUST focuses on the conditions that apply to recreational flying. The TRUST certificate conditions include flying only for recreational purposes, following the safety guidelines of a community-based organization, keeping the drone within visual line of sight, giving way to and not interfering with manned aircraft, getting authorization before flying in controlled airspace, and not flying higher than 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace.
Authorization in controlled airspace is often requested through LAANC, which is also open to recreational flyers. Our LAANC guide explains how it works. If your drone must be registered, it also has Remote ID requirements, covered in our Remote ID guide.
Do you need to retake TRUST?
The FAA has not required recreational flyers to retake TRUST. It may update the test content in the future, so check the FAA's recreational flyer guidance from time to time.
TRUST vs Part 107: which one do you need?
The two cover different kinds of flying:
| TRUST | Part 107 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Recreational flyers | Anyone flying for a business purpose |
| Cost | Free | $175 per attempt at a PSI testing center |
| Minimum age | None | 14 to test, 16 for the certificate |
| Can you fail? | No, answers are correctable to 100% | Yes, the passing score is 70% |
| Proof | TRUST completion certificate | Remote Pilot Certificate |
Do Part 107 pilots need TRUST?
A Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate holder does not need TRUST unless flying under the recreational rules. Recreational flyers still need to register drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds, as our drone registration guide explains.
If you are moving from recreational flying to business flights, the Part 107 knowledge test is the next step. Start with the official FAA sample questions to see how the real test is worded.