Drone Pilot Schools in United States

These schools train drone pilots in United States, from first flights to commercial work. Programs, schedules, and pricing change often, so contact each school directly for current details.

12 schools listed
How to become a pilot

The credential is called a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating. Applicants must be at least 16 years old, able to read, speak, and understand English, and in a physical and mental condition to operate safely. The path starts with creating a profile in the FAA's IACRA system, then passing the UAG knowledge test at an approved PSI testing center, a roughly $175 fee paid to PSI rather than the FAA, then completing FAA Form 8710-13 in IACRA using the 17-digit exam ID, followed by TSA security vetting.

A temporary certificate typically arrives within about 10 business days, with the permanent certificate following by mail. Pilots who already hold a Part 61 certificate and completed a flight review in the last 24 months can skip the knowledge test and instead complete the free ALC-451 online course, verifying identity through an FSDO, DPE, ACR, or CFI. All Remote Pilot Certificate holders must recertify every 24 months with a free online course, ALC-677 or ALC-515; there is no retest.

Regulator
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) ↗ 14 CFR Part 107
About the regulation

Civil drone operation in the United States is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under 14 CFR Part 107, which covers non-recreational operations of drones under 55 pounds. Drones weighing 250 grams or more must be registered through the FAA's DroneZone system for a fee of $5 per aircraft, valid for three years, and most operations require Remote ID broadcast outside of FAA-Recognized Identification Areas. Standard operating rules limit flights to daylight hours, with civil twilight allowed if the aircraft has anti-collision lighting, require the aircraft to stay within visual line of sight, cap altitude at 400 feet above ground level, and prohibit flying over non-participating people or near manned aircraft.

Operators can apply for waivers, typically processed within about 90 days, to fly beyond these standard rules, including at night, over people, or beyond visual line of sight.

Confirm current requirements on the authority's official site before you enroll or fly.

This page is for general orientation and may not reflect the latest regulatory changes. It is not legal advice: confirm current rules, fees, and permitted zones with your country's civil aviation authority before you fly.

A listing in this directory is not an endorsement, accreditation, or certification of any school, and does not indicate affiliation with or vetting by us. Confirm a school's credentials and authorizations directly with the school and the relevant authority.

Schools

Del Mar College (UAS Technology Education Consortium)

UAS certificates and a fundamentals course run with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, focused on GIS and geospatial work.

Corpus Christi
Visit website ↗
+1-361-698-1299

Other countries in North America

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If you run a drone training program anywhere in the United States or Canada, we would like to include it. Send us the school name, website, and a short description; listing is free.

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