To fly a drone commercially in Minnesota, 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 Minnesota
Follow these simple and straightforward steps to easily obtain the drone license:
- Meet the FAA’s eligibility criteria
- Apply for an FAA Tracking Number
- Register at an FAA Knowledge Testing Center
- Study hard for the test
- Attempt the Part 107 exam
- Complete Form 8710-13 and print your certificate
- Register your drone with the FAA
Breaking Down the Steps
1. Meet the FAA’s eligibility criteria
To be a licensed drone operator:
- Age must be 16 or older
- Pass the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam, often called the Part 107 or commercial drone pilot exam
- Be mentally and physically proficient to fly a drone
- Be fully proficient in English, native speaker not necessary
For more information, you can visit the official FAA website.
2. Apply for an FAA Tracking Number
Next, you’ll need an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) to register for the Part 107 exam. You get an FTN by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) account.
Once your IACRA account is active, log in to request your FTN. The registration process is simple and doesn’t require an FAA certificate number, so don’t worry if you’re new to this.
3. Register at an FAA Knowledge Testing Center
Once you’ve got your FTN, register for the commercial drone exam at an FAA Knowledge Testing Center via the PSI platform. Make sure to set up a PSI account if you don’t have one.
After receiving the confirmation email from PSI, you can schedule an appointment at one of the Knowledge Testing Centers near you. Select a date and time that suits your schedule.
You can take the test at numerous approved Knowledge Testing Centers, like Brainseed Testing Center – Woodbury, AV8 Flight School, Thunderbird Aviation Inc, and Academy College. There are plenty more options that you can find on the PSI website.
4. Study hard for the test
Preparation is key for the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam, which includes a $165 fee. If you don’t pass the first time, you’ll have to pay the fee each time you retake it.
Therefore, it is crucial to study hard to avoid extra costs.
5. Attempt the Part 107 exam
The FAA commercial drone exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you’ll have two and a half hours to complete. Bring a government-issued photo ID.
Some tools like calculators (not phone-based), E6B flight computers, plotters, and protractors are okay to bring since they aren’t provided at the Testing Center.
6. Complete Form 8710-13 and print your certificate
After passing the exam, complete FAA Form 8710-13 to apply for your temporary commercial drone license via the IACRA website.
The temporary license is issued while your official license is being processed and mailed. Once the TSA clears your background check, IACRA will email you a printable commercial license. You can use this until your permanent certificate arrives in the mail.
7. Register your drone with the FAA
Lastly, register your drone with the FAA. You’ll need to provide your physical and mailing addresses, email, phone number, drone make and model, and specific Remote ID serial number.
Registration for Part 107 costs $5 per drone and lasts for three years. You must be at least 13 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to register.
That’s all about the drone licensing process in Minnesota.
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 Minnesota. To know about the drone laws in Minnesota, refer to our easy guide.
And if you’re thinking of taking your drone adventures beyond Minnesota, 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 Minnesota?
Yes, you do require a drone license to commercially operate a drone in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota?
To fly your drone in Minnesota, 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.
