A listing shoot is commercial, paid or not
The recreational exception (49 USC 44809) only covers flying purely for fun. Photos that help sell a property further a business, so Part 107 applies even if you did not invoice.
Part 107 for real estate
Part 107 for real estate photography: the certificate you need before the first paid shoot.
Any drone flight that supports a listing, even an unpaid favor for an agent, is not recreational under FAA rules. That means a Remote Pilot Certificate, and the knowledge test is the only hard step.
Renzo Madueño
Former Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilot · Founder, Rotate Pilot
Writes from real airline cockpit and checkride experience — not a content farm.
Who this is for
Photographers, videographers and real estate agents who want to add aerial shots legally.
1
Search
2
Diagnose
3
Drill
4
Mock
5
Buy
60
scored questions, 70% to pass (PSI UAG bulletin)
400 ft
AGL ceiling for Part 107 flights (14 CFR 107.51)
$175
PSI test fee, per attempt
Audience
Real estate photographers adding drone services, agents who want to fly their own listings, and new operators pricing their first shoots.
What is at stake
Flying a listing without Part 107 risks FAA civil penalties and no insurance cover. The test costs $175 at PSI per attempt and 17% failed in 2025 (FAA CY2025 report), so prepare once and pass once.
If you want more
Part 107 Pass - $69.00
Where students get stuck
Suburbs sit under controlled airspace
Many listings are inside Class B, C, D or surface E around airports. You need a LAANC authorization before takeoff, and the test asks you to read exactly those sectional chart boxes.
Neighbors, cars and the agent on the driveway
Flight over people and moving vehicles has its own rules (14 CFR 107 Subpart D, 2021). Your drone's category, Remote ID broadcast (required since March 16, 2024) and anti-collision lights at twilight all show up on the test.
From first flight to certificate in 3 weeks
A short plan you can follow from today to test day.
1
Week 1: regulations and airspace
Regulations are 48% and Airspace 20% of the test. Learn the Part 107 operating limits, waivers, Remote ID and how to read a sectional around the airports near your market.
2
Week 2: weather, loading and operations
METAR and TAF decoding, wind and density altitude, crew roles, preflight and emergency procedures: the Operations area is 25% of the questions.
3
Week 3: timed mocks and booking
Take full 60-question mocks until you pass with margin, get your FAA Tracking Number on IACRA, then book at a PSI center ($175). After passing, apply for the certificate on IACRA; the FAA charges nothing for it.
What to practice
Reading the chart around your city
Find the Class D ceiling, the surface E extensions and the airport data block on the sectional that covers the neighborhoods you shoot.
Over people and vehicles
Which category of drone may fly over people, what sustained flight over a moving car requires, and when you need a waiver instead.
Twilight and golden hour
Civil twilight rules, anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles, and the night training that the 2021 rule folded into the knowledge test.
Final readiness checklist
- Passed a full timed practice test with margin above 70%.
- Can locate your market on the sectional and name the airspace over your typical listing.
- Know the over-people categories and when LAANC is enough.
- FTN created on IACRA; PSI appointment booked.
- Drone registered and broadcasting Remote ID before the first paid flight.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Part 107 to take drone photos of a house I am selling?
If the photos are used to market the property, the FAA treats the flight as non-recreational, so yes. The recreational exception in 49 USC 44809 applies only to flying strictly for enjoyment. Checked October 2026.
How much does the Part 107 certificate cost?
The knowledge test fee at PSI is about $175 per attempt (FAA FAQ, October 2026). The certificate itself is issued at no charge through IACRA after you pass. Rotate Pilot's prep is a separate, optional purchase.
What is on the test for a real estate pilot?
The same UAG test as everyone: 60 scored questions in 120 minutes, 70% to pass, weighted Regulations 48%, Airspace 20%, Weather 5%, Loading and Performance 2%, Operations 25% (PSI UAG bulletin).
Can I fly over the neighbors' houses?
You can fly over property, but flight over people who are not part of your operation needs a Category 1-4 drone or a waiver (14 CFR 107 Subpart D). Check local and state privacy laws as well; the FAA test covers only the federal rules.
Related guides
Free Part 107 practice test
60 timed questions with explanations.
Part 107 waiver guide
When a listing shoot needs a waiver and how to apply.
Failed the Part 107 test?
Retake rules and a 14-day plan.
Part 107 for agriculture drones
Part 107 vs Part 137 for farm work.
Part 107 exam prep
The Part 107 Pass ($69, one payment).
Not today? Take the plan with you.
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Before the first paid shoot
Find out how far you are from passing before you book PSI.
Sit a full 60-question timed practice exam, see your weak areas, and fix them before you pay the $175 test fee.
01
Diagnose the weak spots
The free 20-question diagnostic checks every test area and shows which topics to repair first.
Take the free diagnostic ->02Turn misses into a mini-exam
Inside the course, every question you miss is saved and comes back as a short repair drill, so you retest only what you got wrong.
See the Part 107 bundle ->03Prove each topic with 20-30 questions
Airspace, weather, regulations, operations, and performance each get larger drills so readiness is based on evidence.
Start the full system ->04Stay useful after passing
After the written, the product shifts into LAANC, Remote ID, client checklists, first-job assets, and current-practice habits.
See operator path ->Where this goes next
Your weak topics get smaller every session, not just longer.
Every question you miss is saved and comes back as a short repair drill. You retest only what you got wrong, prove the topic on a full-length exam, and keep the airspace and LAANC practice current after you pass.
Day 0
Know what to do next
A member sees the repair bank, weakest topic, and next exact drill instead of wandering through a generic course.
Week 1
Shrink weak topics
Missed-only mini-exams come before random volume, so progress becomes visible quickly.
Week 2
Book with confidence
Readiness is tied to coverage, repair debt, and proof scores before paying PSI.
After pass
Become an operator
Lifetime access keeps it useful after the test: LAANC, first-client assets and field workflows.