Which drone rules apply to you?

Flying for business (FAA Part 107)

• Each pilot holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 and completes the free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.

  FAA - Certificated Remote Pilots

• Every drone flown for business is registered with the FAA, whatever its weight, and its registration number is marked on the outside.

  FAADroneZone

• Each drone broadcasts Remote ID, either built in or through a broadcast module, under FAA Part 89.

  FAA - Remote ID

• Before flying in controlled airspace, the pilot gets FAA airspace authorization, through LAANC for near-instant approvals or through FAADroneZone.

  FAA - LAANC

• Any flight that Part 107 does not allow, such as flying beyond visual line of sight, needs an FAA waiver first, requested in FAADroneZone.

  FAA - Part 107 Waivers

• Any accident that causes serious injury, loss of consciousness, or more than $500 of damage to property other than the drone is reported to the FAA within 10 calendar days.

  FAADroneZone

Flying beyond visual line of sight

• Flights beyond visual line of sight need an FAA waiver under Part 107 or an FAA exemption.

  FAA - Part 107 Waivers

• The FAA proposed a new rule, Part 108, in August 2025 to allow routine beyond-line-of-sight operations without one-off waivers. Until a final rule takes effect, the waiver path above applies.

  FAA - Beyond Visual Line of Sight

Public safety agencies

• Agencies can fly under Part 107 like a business, or as public aircraft under an FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA).

  FAA - Public Safety and Government

• Before buying drones with federal money, check the American Security Drone Act and your grant terms. The Act limits federal funds for drones from covered foreign companies.

  Congress.gov - FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act

• State and local laws can add rules on how agencies use drones and keep drone data. Check with your agency's legal counsel.

Selling to the U.S. government

• Register in SAM.gov, the federal registration system. Registration is free.

  SAM.gov

• Federal law limits drones and key parts from certain foreign countries, including China, in government purchases. List where each key part of your system is made.

  Autonomy Runway guide

• Government buyers often ask whether a drone is on the DCMA Blue List.

  Autonomy Runway guide

Next steps: the government contracting path, Sell to prime contractors, and the DoW Drone Marketplace guide.

Building or importing for the U.S. market

• Drones and parts that send radio signals need FCC equipment authorization before they are marketed or sold in the U.S.

  FCC - Equipment Authorization

• Since December 22, 2025, foreign-produced drones and critical drone components are on the FCC Covered List, so new foreign-made drone models can no longer receive U.S. equipment authorization unless a specific exemption is granted. Models authorized before that date can still be sold and used.

  FCC - Covered List

• Manufacturers of drones with built-in Remote ID submit a Declaration of Compliance to the FAA under Part 89.

  FAA - Remote ID

• Selling or shipping drones, parts or technical data outside the U.S. may need an export license under U.S. export control rules.

  Bureau of Industry and Security

Building outside the U.S.? Many companies enter the U.S. market with a U.S. production partner.