If you already fly drones for fun, 2025 might be the perfect year to turn that hobby into a money-making venture. But before you can start accepting paid gigs, you’ll need a commercial drone license — formally called a Remote Pilot Certificate under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 regulations.
To earn it, you must pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test, more casually known as the Part 107 test. This test is your ticket to flying drones legally for commercial purposes in the U.S.
But make no mistake: passing it isn’t easy without prep. I probably would have scored a 20% given I had no prior aviation background. You’ll be tested on airspace classifications, weather patterns, sectional charts, and more — subjects that most hobbyists haven’t studied before.
Before taking the test, I used one course Drone Pilot Ground School (which is actually a pick in this guide!), and passed the Part 107 test with a score of 90% (anything 70% or higher is a passing score). Since then, I’ve reviewed nearly a dozen other Part 107 courses.
There are plenty of good options (and many are more affordable than Drone Pilot Ground School, the course I used). With my more than 10 years of experience covering the drone industry, I’ve reviewed the top-rated Part 107 prep courses of 2025 based on cost, actual user experience, pass guarantees, instructor background and more.
Here are Drone Girl’s top Part 107 online test prep courses of 2025:
Picking the best Part 107 online test prep course for you:
- The best Part 107 courses, side-by-side
- Best Part 107 online course overall (most resources, live support, etc): Drone Pilot Ground School
- Best Part 107 online course on a budget: Drone Launch Academy
- Best Part 107 online course that’s taught by an Air Force pilot: John Peltier’s FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep Course
- Best live Part 107 online course : DARTdrones Part 107 Test Prep Virtual Course
- Best Part 107 online course for aspiring airplane pilots : Pilot Institute
- Part 107 test prep commonly asked questions
The best Part 107 courses, side-by-side
I’ll dive deep into these later, but here’s a quick overview of all my picks and why:
| Course | Best for | Price | Time to Complete | Pass Guarantee | Lifetime Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone Pilot Ground School | Most resources & support | $299 ($199 with code DRONEGIRL100) | 15–20 hours | Yes | Yes |
| Drone Launch Academy | Budget pick | $199 ($149 with code DRONEGIRL50) | 5–15 hours | Yes | Yes |
| John Peltier’s Course | Military-style instruction | $139 ($119 with code DroneG20) | 15–20 hours | Yes | Yes |
| DARTdrones Virtual | Best live instruction | $375 | 2 days (plus materials) | Yes | Yes |
| Pilot Institute | Dual interest in crewed aircraft | $249 | 15–20 hours | Yes | Y |
Best Part 107 online course overall (most resources, live support, etc): Drone Pilot Ground School
Drone Pilot Ground School is the most comprehensive Part 107 prep course, offering:
- 350+ practice questions
- 17-page cram sheet
- Unlimited 1:1 instructor support
- Live Zoom sessions (optional)
- Lifetime access
While slightly more expensive than our value pick, Drone Launch Academy, Drone Pilot Ground School is an established player. It’s the biggest of all the Part 107 test prep programs, for good reason. In fact, I (Sally, the Drone Girl!) used Drone Pilot Ground School as my only means of studying. And yes, I passed the test on my first try.
The company also continuously offers up updates based on the ever-changing FAA rules. For example, there’s now an easy-to-access PDF file about rules around flying drones over people. It also covers updates around Remote ID.
Pass rate guarantee: If you fail your test, Drone Pilot Ground School covers your testing fee (normally $175) if you also pass one of their practice exams with a score greater than 85%. It also promises to refund the entire cost of your Drone Pilot Ground School course if you fail.
- Price: $299 (plus use coupon code DRONEGIRL100 to save $100)
- Pass rate: 99% across more than 5,000 students
Plus, they offer a robust scholarship program where you may be able to enroll (and get your test fee covered) for free.
Best Part 107 online course on a budget: Drone Launch Academy
Drone Launch Academy offers great value without cutting corners:
- 200 practice questions
- 75-page downloadable e-book
- Online community and podcast
- Lifetime access
At $199, it’s $100 cheaper than my top pick, Drone Pilot Ground School. And while it has a smaller customer base, its pass rate is an incredibly high 99.02%. It’s not just the $100 cheaper price tag that makes this a great value. If you fail your in-person exam, Drone Launch Academy will pay for you to retake it. That’s an $150 value in itself, on top of a course refund (an additional $199 value).
There is a bit of inconsistency in the quality of their videos, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s clear their content (such as filming quality and on-camera presenters) has improved over time so it feels unfair to ding them on that. But, it doesn’t take a film critic to spot which videos were made early on.
- Price: $199 (plus use coupon code DRONEGIRL50 to save $50 and bring your price down to just $149)
- Pass rate: 99.02% across more than 5,000 students
Best Part 107 online course that’s taught by an Air Force pilot: John Peltier’s FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep Course
Taught by former Air Force pilot John Peltier, this course is clear, concise, and direct. It includes:
- 35 short videos
- 36 quizzes
- Money-back pass guarantee
- Optional live chat with Peltier himself
I consider FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep Course to be a no-nonsense online training program that includes short videos, frequent quizzes, and simple text that cuts straight to the point. Peltier is a former Air Force pilot who even served as the “Chief of Courseware” during his last assignment in the Air Force. He wrote all educational material for F-15E training squadrons throughout the USAF — so he knows a thing or two about writing multiple choice questions.
Like Drone Launch Academy, John Peltier’s FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep Course also comes with a test-pass guarantee.
It’s also the cheapest of all the courses in this guide. Plus, there’s an option to make it even cheaper. You can pay $79 for access to the program for just 30 days (the $139 price tag includes lifetime access). Think twice before enrolling in the $79 option, as you’ll likely want to reference John Peltier’s FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep Course when it comes time to take your Part 107 recurrent test. You must retake the recurrent test every two years. But if money is tight, then it’s a great option. (He does offer a separate renewal course for just $49).
- Price: $139 for lifetime access or $79 for 30-day access. Use promo code DroneG20 to save $20.
Get a clearer sense for Peltier’s style by reading his five Part 107 exam online tips.
Peltier also offers tons of other courses that drone pilots could certainly be interested in. That includes Fujifilm camera courses and a course on how to edit and manage photos in Adobe Lightroom.
Best live Part 107 online course: DARTdrones Part 107 Test Prep Virtual Course
There are pros and cons of in-person vs online Part 107 classes. But the DARTdrones live course might provide the best of both worlds.
The DARTdrones live virtual course offers:
- 8 hours of live Zoom-based instruction
- 300 practice test questions
- 50-page study guide
- Lifetime access to on-demand course
You’ll get accountability, personalized Q&A, and follow-up materials. The founder, Abby Speicher, appeared on Shark Tank, where Mark Cuban invested in the company.
- Price: $375
- Time: Two 4-hour days + ongoing access
At $375, it’s pricier than the other picks, but it’s worth it for certain learning styles. You can ask questions live on the video chat system and interact back and forth with the instructor, really getting the opportunity to pick their brain.
What’s great though is the course doesn’t end when the Sunday afternoon ends. You’ll have ongoing access to a 300+ test question bank and a 50-page study guide. And yes, that $375 also includes access to DARTdrones’ full online Part 107 Test Prep Course. That on its own costs $200.
DARTdrones also has workshops tailored to specific industries such as mapping and modeling, disaster response and inspections. And, its Aerial Photography and Videography Online Course is currently rated the top overall online drone photo course.
Best Part 107 online course for aspiring airplane pilots: Pilot Institute
Originally focused on crewed aircraft, Pilot Institute now offers:
- 15 hours of video
- 20 quizzes
- Lifetime access
- Accredited training (IACET)
Pilot Institute has been offering courses to help people pass their FAA Private Pilot written exams long before Part 107 was even a thing. Yes, they offer other training courses on things like checkrides and instrument ratings. Plus, Pilot Institute is the only aviation training company to be accredited by IACET, the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training.
- Price: $249 for lifetime access.
- Time needed to complete: 15-20 hours
Pilot Institute is very much embedded in the drone space. One of the cofounders Greg Reverdiau, was instrumental in getting the FAA to delay Remote ID enforcement.
Part 107 test prep commonly asked questions
What is the Part 107 test?
The FAA Part 107 test is a 60-question multiple choice exam covering drone regulations, weather, airspace and more. It’s required for all commercial drone operators in the U.S. under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107.
What’s the pass rate?
As of 2024, the average Part 107 test score was 79.95%, ad 84.2% of people passed.
What if I’m flying drones just for fun?
You still need to pass the TRUST exam — a much shorter, simpler online test for recreational pilots. Learn how to take the TRUST exam here.
How can I see if a drone pilot is certified?
Browse the FAA’s public registry of Part 107-certifed remote pilots here. That’s a step worth taking before hiring a drone pilot to do work for you to ensure they have the certification they claim. You’ll be able to see each pilot’s certificate and their rating (including that of yours truly). Here’s what it looks like when your name comes up in the database:
Do these courses teach how to fly drones?
No. These courses prepare you for the knowledge test only. For hands-on flight training, consider an in-person drone course or an affordable online course focused on flying.
However, these courses tend to be many hundreds of dollars. If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of excellent online drone flying courses — many of which cost less than $100.
How did you study for your test, and did you opt for a Part 107 online test prep course? Leave a comment below! And happy flying!
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