The Certification Maze: How to Get a Drone Approved for Commercial Use

Understanding Drone Certification

Drone certification, also known as unmanned aircraft system (UAS) certification, serves as proof that a design and its operation meet FAA safety requirements.

It is the gateway to trusted market access and regulatory acceptance. Certification relies on documented evidence – reliable airframes, controllable systems, and qualified pilots – evaluated against clear, standardized criteria. For baseline rules and cross-cutting requirements, see our drone compliance primer.

In the United States, three main certification pathways define how risk is managed:

• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates for operations under 55 pounds.
• Airworthiness and type certification under the special class criteria for higher-risk or more complex aircraft.
• Operational authorizations such as waivers or Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs) for missions beyond standard limits.

Additional elements strengthen the compliance baseline:

• Registration through the FAA Drone Zone.
• Remote ID broadcasting to identify aircraft in flight.
• Voluntary ASTM International (ASTM) standards that promote interoperability and safety consistency across fleets.

Platforms and advisors are increasingly streamlining certification by centralizing compliance records, maintenance logs, and reporting workflows. This coordinated approach reduces the time and fragmentation associated with traditional lab-by-lab certification methods.

Key Points

• FAA uses a tiered system—Part 107, airworthiness/type certification, and waivers/COAs—so match your pathway to the risk level of your aircraft and mission.
• Kick-off compliance by registering each drone ($5/3 yrs), fitting Remote ID, and earning a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; this combination covers most sub-55-lb commercial work.
• To fly at night, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), or over people, request Part 107 waivers or COAs with a solid safety case; operations over people follow four categories, with Categories 2-4 requiring injury-risk testing or full airworthiness.
• High-risk missions or advanced aircraft demand special-class airworthiness and often type certification; expect model-specific criteria, D&R testing, and ASTM-referenced evidence (e.g., parachute standard F3322-22).
• Certification is an evidence game—centralize logs, maintenance records, and lab results, and use advisors/platforms to streamline FAA submissions and, for EU expansion, prepare Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) and Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) documentation early.

Drone Certification Paths

The FAA uses a risk-based certification framework that scales with operational complexity and potential safety impact. Each pathway corresponds to the level of risk posed by the aircraft and its intended mission.

• Part 107 operations cover low-risk commercial activities using aircraft under 55 pounds. These missions require a Remote Pilot Certificate and compliance with standard operational limits.
• Airworthiness approvals and special class type certifications apply to higher-risk or more complex aircraft. These approvals are model-specific and rely on detailed, evidence-driven safety demonstrations.
• Operational authorizations, such as Part 107 waivers or COAs, allow missions beyond standard limits—including BVLOS and operations over people.

These certification pathways can build upon each other.

For example, an operator may hold a Part 107 certificate, obtain a COA for BVLOS operations, and pursue type certification for a specific drone model—all within one integrated compliance strategy.

Start With Registration

Drone registration is the first and simplest step toward compliance.

Registration through the FAA Drone Zone costs $5 per aircraft under Part 107 and remains valid for three years. Each aircraft must display its assigned registration number clearly on the airframe.

During the FAADroneZone process:

• Owner and aircraft information is recorded in the FAA database.
• Registration details are automatically linked to Remote ID tracking requirements.
• Accurate entries help prevent delays or inconsistencies in future applications for waivers, COAs, or airworthiness approvals.

Establishing clean registration data at the outset lays the foundation for smoother certification and ongoing compliance.

Part 107 Pilot

Part 107 certification establishes the foundation for most commercial drone operations under 55 pounds. A Remote Pilot Certificate ensures that operators understand FAA rules and can manage flight safety effectively.

To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Demonstrate English proficiency for communication and documentation.
• Pass the FAA aeronautical knowledge test, which covers regulations, airspace classifications, weather interpretation, and emergency procedures.

Recurrent training is required every 24 months to maintain certification. The Part 107 credential serves as a baseline for pilots and crews, even when advancing to airworthiness approvals, BVLOS missions, or higher-risk operations.

Part 107 Waivers

Part 107 waivers allow operators to conduct missions that exceed standard FAA operating limits, such as:

• Night operations
• BVLOS flights
• Operations over people or moving vehicles
• Simultaneous control of multiple UAS

A strong waiver application must include a comprehensive safety explanation supported by an operational hazard assessment.

Key components typically include:

• Defined risks and mitigations specific to the mission environment.
• Crew roles and responsibilities with clear communication protocols.
• Geographic and environmental details outlining the operational area.
• Performance and reliability data from prior tests or controlled flights.
• Contingency procedures for link loss, equipment failure, or emergencies.

The FAA evaluates whether the applicant can demonstrate that the operation can be performed safely under the requested conditions, aligning with performance-based safety expectations.

Remote ID Compliance

Remote ID compliance ensures that every drone can be identified and tracked during flight. Operators can meet this requirement in two ways:

• Standard Remote ID, built directly into new aircraft systems.
• Retrofit broadcast modules, used for legacy fleets without integrated hardware.

Both solutions transmit identification and location data via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, linking each aircraft’s broadcast to its FAA registration record.

Broadcast messages must include:

• Drone identification and position data defined by FAA specifications.
• Data fields and message formats that align with FAA guidance.
• Update procedures and interface documentation to support audit readiness and integration with unmanned traffic management (UTM) frameworks.

Remote ID is also a prerequisite for sustained flights over open-air assemblies under the FAA’s “operations over people” categories.

Beyond compliance, Remote ID data also powers broader airspace coordination through integration with UTM systems – creating real-time visibility for both regulators and operators.

Remote ID and UTM

Remote ID and UTM work together to connect identification with airspace coordination. Tracking features within Remote ID systems enable participation in UTM networks that share flight intent, position, and operational status across participants.

These data feeds allow service providers to deliver situational awareness and oversight, improving safety and traffic management in shared airspace.

For autonomous BVLOS missions, this connectivity is especially valuable. It supports regulatory approvals in congested areas by enabling:

• Identification and cooperative deconfliction between aircraft.
• Traceability and accountability for operators and systems.
• Post-flight analysis that reinforces operational assurance.

Under the FAA rule, most drones must broadcast identification and location data through either built-in capabilities or an approved broadcast module, creating a standardized foundation for safe, scalable flight operations.

Airworthiness For Drones

Airworthiness certification verifies that an aircraft is safe and fit for its intended use.

For UAS, the FAA provides special class pathways and type certification processes that define explicit design and performance criteria for each model.

In practical terms, airworthiness certification becomes essential for:

• Higher-risk operations or advanced aircraft that go beyond standard Part 107 limits.
• Category 4 operations over people, which require airworthiness certification to authorize sustained flights in populated environments.

Maintaining airworthiness also depends on consistent maintenance programs and operational documentation. FAA waiver conditions often mandate:

• Detailed service and inspection records.
• Functional flight tests verifying continued safety before and after maintenance events.

By integrating maintenance, documentation, and testing into one structured program, operators can sustain compliance and demonstrate continuous airworthiness throughout an aircraft’s lifecycle.

Type Certification Steps

Special class type certification begins with model-specific airworthiness criteria established in coordination with the FAA. Manufacturers must then produce evidence through D&R testing, iterating until all criteria are met and verified.

Supporting evidence often references voluntary consensus standards that align with FAA performance expectations.

For instance:

• A parachute recovery system can use ASTM F3322-22 testing to demonstrate safe deployment performance and support the aircraft’s safety case.

This structured process links design validation, test results, and safety performance for each model. Meeting these requirements enables advanced commercial missions, such as delivery or inspection, by proving that the aircraft meets defined, repeatable safety outcomes under FAA oversight.

Operations Over People

The FAA defines four categories for operations over people, each based on the level of potential injury risk and aircraft performance.

• Category 1 applies to drones weighing less than 0.55 pounds with no exposed rotating parts.
• Categories 2 and 3 are performance-based and require evidence showing the aircraft meets injury-risk thresholds, with Category 3 further limited to controlled or closed environments.
• Category 4 applies to aircraft that have achieved airworthiness certification, authorizing sustained operations over people.

A practical decision path applies:

• Qualify for Category 1 if possible.
• If not, design to meet Category 2 or 3 performance criteria.
• For advanced or high-risk operations, pursue airworthiness certification to enter Category 4.

Remote ID compliance is also required for certain assemblies under these categories, ensuring each aircraft can be identified and monitored during flight.

BVLOS And COAs

BVLOS enables long-range operations and scalable flight corridors once authorized by the FAA. These capabilities are especially valuable for utilities, infrastructure inspections, and delivery networks that depend on extended coverage areas. For emerging requirements and performance expectations, see autonomous drone regulation.

COAs are the FAA’s mechanism for granting such privileges.

They are managed through Form 7711-2 and tailored for specific use cases, often under Part 91 for public aircraft operations or test programs. Applications must define the operational area, altitudes, aircraft specifications, and timeframes for FAA evaluation and approval.

To sustain compliance at scale, successful BVLOS programs integrate:

• Comprehensive flight logging and telemetry tracking
• Structured maintenance programs
• Regular reporting and data submission that validate continued safety performance

Risk-Based Authorizations

Risk-based authorizations build on the same principles that govern BVLOS and COAs, aligning approvals with the specific operational scenario and mitigations in place. U.S. test programs continue to demonstrate progress, yet scaling BVLOS without visual observers still requires additional rulemaking and strong, scenario-driven evidence.

Operators can expand approvals gradually by demonstrating:

• Repeatable performance across test deployments and varied environments
• Reliable detect-and-avoid capabilities under representative conditions
• Stable command-and-control links that ensure consistent autonomy

As FAA requirements evolve, structured assurance cases that map risks to mitigations will become the key to scaling operations safely across new routes and mission types. For policy context from early COAs to Part 107 and Remote ID, see drone regulation history.

Which Standard Applies & Why

Drone certification depends on aligning design, testing, and operational evidence with recognized technical standards. Instead of detailing every test or redundancy analysis, the table below summarizes key standards and their purposes in FAA certification frameworks. For design integration guidance and testing practices, see drone safety standards.

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Detailed test procedures and verification methods are further outlined in Article 003: ASTM Test Methods and Evidence Standards.

For category-based approvals, the FAA applies performance-based criteria and requires a Declaration of Compliance supported by traceable test reports and analyses that correspond directly to the operational risk profile.

To complete the certification package, all evidence – design requirements, test data, and operational performance – must be connected through traceability matrices, flight logs, and safety cases that can withstand technical and regulatory review.

EASA, SORA, LUC

In the European Union, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) classifies drone operations into three categories based on risk level:

• Open – Low-risk operations with standard limitations and no pre-approval required.
• Specific – Medium-risk operations requiring a SORA to justify safety mitigations and operating conditions.
• Certified – High-risk operations comparable to traditional aviation standards, requiring full certification.

The SORA framework defines the operational scenario, identifies hazards, and details mitigations that demonstrate an acceptable level of safety.

Operators can also pursue a LUC, which grants limited self-approval privileges once the organization proves robust management systems and consistent compliance performance.

For U.S. teams planning to expand into the EU market:

• Prepare SORA documentation early to align with EASA requirements.
• Engage notified bodies before Specific-category missions to streamline reviews and avoid redundant testing.

This preparation bridges FAA and EASA approaches, making cross-border certification more efficient and predictable.

Conclusion

A strong drone certification strategy begins with a clear understanding of the right approval path, supported by thorough documentation and alignment with recognized standards. For higher-risk operations, success depends on proving equivalent safety through a well-defined and tested safety case.

Treat certification as a foundation of trust, not a checkbox exercise. Teams that centralize evidence, plan test programs carefully, and leverage independent expertise achieve faster approvals while maintaining the rigor that regulators and clients expect.