How to Get a Drone License in Maryland (Explained for Beginners)

The beautiful Mid-Atlantic state of Maryland is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, making it an alluring spot for drone pilots.

You must have a drone license before realizing your aspirations of capturing sweet sunrises and colorful sunsets in the Old Line State. What’s required to earn one?

Here’s how to get a drone license in Maryland:

• Pass FAA’s base eligibility criteria
• Obtain your FAA Tracking Number through IACRA
• Register to take the Part 107 exam
• Study for the test
• Take the Part 107 exam and ace it
• Send in Form 8710-13
• Receive your permanent license

Becoming a first-time registered drone pilot is surprisingly nuanced, but don’t worry if you’re still confused about the process. I’ll explain everything you need to know in this informative guide, so don’t miss it!

Here’s how to obtain a drone license in Maryland #

Who wouldn’t want to fly a drone in Maryland? It’s the home of piers, docks, and harbors. Although you need authorization to reach some of those areas, the enchanting environment gives you plenty of great places to launch your drone.

The FAA requires all drone pilots to have a valid certificate to operate. The only way to get a certificate is by passing an FAA-issued test. That’s the TRUST exam for hobbyists and the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) test for commercial pilots.

Holding a commercial license opens your flight freedoms and allows you to make money using your drone, whether you share your footage with news stations, do inspections, or get into real estate photography and videography.

Let’s review how beginners can get their hands on a Part 107 commercial drone license.

Pass the FAA’s base eligibility criteria #

In its mission for safer skies, the FAA requires aspiring drone pilots to meet basic eligibility criteria before proceeding with their quest for a commercial license.

For example, are you physically healthy enough to fly a drone? What about mentally?

If you answered yes to those questions, here’s another. How is your English? The FAA requires full language comprehension, meaning you must speak, understand, write, and read English.

When is your birthday? You can’t take the Part 107 exam until you’re at least 16.

Obtain your FAA Tracking Number through IACRA #

If you meet the FAA’s criteria, congratulations. That’s already one step down and a few more to go.

Next, you must receive an FAA Tracking Number or FTN. All new registrants entering the FAA’s system get an FTN, whether they’re drone pilots or specialize in other areas of aeronautics.

As the words “tracking number” suggest, the FAA uses your FTN to monitor your activities in the skies to ensure you follow proper protocols.

How do you get an FTN? You’ll need an account on IACRA.

IACRA stands for the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application. It’s an FAA application for airmen, providing policy and regulatory requirements, training, and other helpful information. IACRA will also issue you a temporary certificate, but more on that later.

For now, let’s review how to make an account on IACRA. When you visit the homepage, you’ll see a login box. There’s a register link under the username and password boxes. Click that, and you’re ready to begin.

You must first check off a role or roles, with no option to leave them all blank. First-time pilots usually register as applicants, but please check off all requirements you meet.

When you’re ready, agree to IACRA’s terms of service and continue to the second page.

Skip the Certificate Information section for now. You don’t have a Remote Pilot Certificate yet, so you can’t input the date of issuance or Airman Certificate Number. IACRA lets you register your account without this information.

However, you can’t skip the personal information, so fill in your details. Create your unique login and password, and don’t forget to input answers to two security questions. 

When you’ve added all the required information, you’re ready to click the register button. Check your inbox, as IACRA will send you a confirmation of your account creation.

Confirm your account, log in, and check your account information. You will have an FTN of your own.

Register to take the Part 107 exam #

You’re now in the FAA’s system and have a means of verifying your identity (which you will be asked to do). Now, it’s time to register for the Part 107 exam.

The FAA uses testing resource PSI for this. You can find a testing center, take practice exams, and review FAQs on PSI, so it’s an excellent site to have bookmarked.

Of course, you’ll need an account before you can do any of that. You can create a PSI account by clicking the button on the homepage that says Create an Account. Input your name and FTN, and you can proceed with the registration.

Just as you did when registering on IACRA, follow the prompts and wait for a confirmation email when you’re finished. You can then log in.

Click Find a Test Center. The FAA administers the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam at FAA Knowledge Testing Centers, physical buildings throughout the country.

You can find Knowledge Testing Centers throughout Maryland by typing your postal code, selecting the United States for the country, and choosing Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) for the exam type.

Select the Knowledge Testing Center most accessible to you, pick a date and time to take your FAA test, confirm your details, and it’s set in stone.

Study for the test #

While you can test your mettle on PSI’s UAG practice exams, I recommend taking it a step further.

The Part 107 exam isn’t easy. It tests the full breadth of your knowledge of the FAA’s regulations. You must understand the nuances of drone operating requirements, flight restrictions, weather rules, radio communications, airport operations, and more.

It’s a lot to remember, and considering the commercial drone exam costs over $150 per attempt, the added pressure can be immense.

That’s why I recommend taking a Part 107 online drone course. The leading names in the drone industry have meticulously and lovingly compiled these courses to instruct you on everything needed to become a commercial pilot.

You’ll learn from professional pilots and FAA employees, who break down the complexities of FAA rules and laws into bite-sized video and text lessons. You can take practice quizzes with real exam questions to prepare you and receive one-on-one assistance.

And if you don’t pass? Don’t sweat it. You can rely on the money-back guarantees these courses offer. Many online drone schools will even pay for your second try at the Part 107 exam. How generous!

If you’re ready to explore your options, check out my bonafide list of the best Part 107 online drone courses here.

Take the Part 107 exam and ace it #

You studied your tailfeathers off and feel readier for the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam than ever. Great!

Here are some facts that will help you prepare even further.

The Part 107 exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. Each question has at least three answers to pick from, and one answer is typically correct.

You must have a government-issued photo identification card, such as a driver’s license, to be let into the exam room.

When you sit down to take the test, you have two and a half hours to finish. In my experience, and that of many other pilots, it’s long enough.

You don’t have to worry about bringing anything extra unless you want to. For instance, the FAA allows protractors and calculators into the testing room. You will also receive the testing book, scrap paper, a writing instrument, and a dry-erase marker.

You can’t bring your phone into the testing room, so don’t even try. Turn it off and leave it in your locker until you’re done.

You must answer 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass, so you can get more than 10 wrong and still earn your Remote Pilot Certificate.

IACRA will post your grade when it’s ready. However, it can sometimes take several weeks, so I recommend putting it out of your head after you take the exam.

Send in Form 8710-13 #

IACRA finally has the test results ready, and…you passed! Woohoo! Congratulations. All your hard work and effort paid off, but you’re not finished yet.

Remember, I said you’d have to log into IACRA for your temporary certificate. Many first-time pilots wonder, why a temporary certificate?

The FAA will mail your permanent certificate, but it takes time to process your data. You can request your temporary certificate in the meantime.

You do that by logging into IACRA and selecting FAA Form 8710-13, then Start New Application. Choose Remote Pilot for the Certifications section and Pilot for the Application Type.

Next, click Other Path Information, then Start Application. The prompts make filling out Form 8710-13 fast and efficient.

Here are a few words to the wise. You will need your Knowledge Test Exam ID. This should be 17 digits and is available in your IACRA profile. You must also sign electronically, which you do last. Then you send the form in.

IACRA forwards your information to the TSA. You will be subjected to a background check. If you pass the check, you will receive an email from IACRA with your temporary certificate attached. The email will instruct you how to save and print the license, so follow those instructions.

Receive your permanent license in the mail #

By all means, enjoy your temporary license in the meantime, but keep checking for your permanent one. The FAA will send it your way sooner than later, so be patient.

I have my commercial drone license in Maryland – Now what? #

As a commercial license holder in Maryland, the sky is the limit (literally). You’re almost ready to fly free but have a few more responsibilities to tackle first.

For instance, have you registered your drone? All commercial pilots must, according to the FAA. Your drone registration lasts for three years.

Have you considered drone insurance? I strongly suggest you do, even if it’s not legally required. Insurance is best for new pilots learning the ropes. You will make many mistakes, and insurance prevents you from destroying your financial status from a drone accident.

Now is an excellent time to read up on Maryland’s drone laws. Calvert County prohibits drones in its recreation areas and parks, and Maryland State Parks also outlaw pilots unless they have a permit.

Did you know your drone license expires? It’s true! It will be invalid within two years after the FAA issues it. Before it reaches that point, you should look into renewal. You can read about the newer, easier, faster, and more convenient (not to mention free!) renewal process here.