To fly a drone commercially in Maryland, you need to have a drone license (FAA part 107 certification). And to obtain the licence, you must pass a written exam administered by the FAA.
Steps to Get a Drone License in Maryland
Follow these simple and straightforward steps to easily obtain the drone license:
- Understand the FAA’s criteria for drone license eligibility
- Create your IACRA account to obtain your FAA Tracking Number
- Locate a Knowledge Testing Center and register for the exam
- Invest time to study and prepare for the exam
- Sit for, and pass, the Part 107 test
- Submit Form 8710-13 to acquire your certificate
- Register your drone with the FAA
Breaking Down the Steps
1. Understand the FAA’s criteria for drone license eligibility
First, ensure you meet the FAA’s eligibility criteria for a drone license.
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Proficient in English
- Possess valid government-issued identification
- Assess physical and mental health as flying a drone requires good health, keen situational awareness, and excellent hand-eye coordination
For more information, you can visit the official FAA website.
2. Create your IACRA account to obtain your FAA Tracking Number
To get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN), create an account on the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website, a free platform of the FAA. Your FTN is a unique identifier that you’ll need throughout your drone career.
Provide your personal details, create two security questions with answers, and a unique login and password. Once registered, you’ll receive an email confirmation and can access your FTN anytime by logging into your IACRA profile.
3. Locate a Knowledge Testing Center and register for the exam
Upon obtaining your FTN, the next step is to locate a Knowledge Testing Center where you’ll take the Part 107 exam. You can do this by visiting the PSI website, a testing platform partnering with the FAA, and find a center near you.
After finding a center, create a PSI account, provide your full name and FTN for identity verification, and schedule a date and time for your exam.
You can take the test at numerous approved Knowledge Testing Centers, like Brett Aviation, Baltimore Training and Testing Center, Community College of Baltimore County, and Harford Air Services LLC. There are plenty more options that you can find on the PSI website.
4. Invest time to study and prepare for the exam
Now, it’s time to prepare for the exam. Study using trusted resources and consider investing in a quality prep course. These courses, while usually paid, provide materials for life, offering video or text lessons, practice tests, professional advice, and often a money-back guarantee.
Your preparation will hugely influence your performance in the exam, so take it seriously!
5. Sit for, and pass, the Part 107 test
On the day of the test, we recommend a good meal and an early arrival at the testing center. The test has 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed within two and a half hours. Answer carefully and if time permits, review your answers before submitting.
After the test, you’ll need to wait for about three weeks for the results. To pass, you must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly.
6. Submit Form 8710-13 to acquire your certificate
After passing the exam, log back into your IACRA profile to complete FAA Form 8710-13. This form is your official request for a commercial drone license or Remote Pilot Certificate.
Provide the required details including your Knowledge Test Exam ID, sign electronically, and the form will be submitted automatically to the FAA and TSA for approval.
7. Register your drone with the FAA
Finally, it’s time to register your drone with the FAA. Provide your contact details, the drone’s make and model, a specific Remote ID if available, and pay a $5 registration fee.
You must be at least 13 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to register. Once registered, your drone’s registration cannot be transferred between operation types. This completes your drone license acquisition process in Maryland.
That’s all about the drone licensing process in Maryland.
For safe drone flying, you need to follow certain rules. These rules come from the FAA, your state, and your town.
The FAA rules are the same everywhere, but each state has its own rules, and so does Maryland. To know about the drone laws in Maryland, refer to our easy guide.
And if you’re thinking of taking your drone adventures beyond Maryland, you can read our guides about getting a drone license in some other states as well:
FAQs
1. Do I require a drone license to operate a drone in Maryland?
Yes, you do require a drone license to commercially operate a drone in Maryland. The license is known as a Remote Pilot Certificate, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
2. What licenses do I need to fly my drone in Maryland?
To fly your drone in Maryland, you need a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Additionally, registration of your drone with the FAA is required if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs.
