Turn your Remote Pilot Certificate into a sustainable UAS career

The 2025 Guide to Going Beyond Part 107

Part 107 opened the door. This guide shows how to step through it—by layering real-world skills, safety leadership, and standards-based credentials that employers value.

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Part 107 is a Launchpad,
Not a Career Plan

When the FAA introduced Part 107 in 2016, it opened the door to commercial drone operations—no expensive flight school or Section 333 exemptions required. Study, pass a 60-question knowledge test, and you can fly commercially.

By 2025, the industry evolved. There are now more certificated remote pilots than registered commercial drones. Part 107 remains essential, but it’s no longer a differentiator—it’s the baseline. Building a career today means going beyond the written test to demonstrate readiness and professionalism.

This Guide Will:

 
Clarify what Part 107 covers (and doesn’t) in 2025—night ops, Remote ID, recurrent training, and more. Jump to Part 107
 
Explain what employers look for beyond Part 107—hands-on proficiency, safety literacy, and BVLOS readiness. See the gaps View courses
 
Show how to earn standards-based credentials that prove you’re mission-ready, not just exam-ready. Go to pathway

Part 107 in 3 Minutes:
Refresher & Reality Check

 
Eligibility: 16+ years old, TSA security vetting.
 
Knowledge Test: 60-question exam on FAA UAS topics. Prep with FAA Part 107 Exam Prep.
 
Recurrent Training: required online training every 24 months.
 
Operational Limits: ≤ 55 lb, ≤ 400 ft AGL, VLOS only (BVLOS by waiver), daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lights.

Timeline

2016 Part 107 implemented — foundation for commercial drone operations.
2021 Recurrent test replaced by online training; night ops and Operations Over People updated.
2023 Remote ID rule effective for most operations.
2025 Part 107 is baseline—advanced skills and credentials are the differentiator.

The Oversupply Problem — Too Many Pilots?

There are now more licensed pilots than commercial drones to fly. A Part 107 certificate alone no longer guarantees a premium job. With so many “107-only” pilots, basic tasks are commoditized.

Key Takeaway: Specialized skills = higher demand. Entry-level wages are flat where only basic skills are needed, while pilots qualified for BVLOS inspections or complex data capture command higher pay.

Example: A utility will pay far more for a pilot who can perform a BVLOS powerline inspection with formal risk assessments than one limited to standard daylight VLOS photography.

Four Gaps Part 107 Doesn’t Cover (and How to Close Them)

“I can spot a 107-only pilot in 10 minutes — no structured risk analysis, no real checklist discipline.” — Program Manager, Fortune 500 utility

1. Hands-On Flight Proficiency

Part 107 doesn’t require a practical flight test. A pilot might ace airspace questions but struggle to manage a lost-link contingency or execute a precision landing in gusty winds. Many employers now include “stick checks” during hiring — tasks like capturing a specific nadir image set or landing within a marked zone.

2. Safety Literacy (Human Factors + Risk Management + SMS)

Human error remains aviation’s leading risk. While Part 107 touches on weather and rules, it doesn’t build full competence in crew resource management, risk-based decision-making, or Safety Management Systems (SMS). Enterprise programs increasingly screen for this knowledge.

3. Mission Planning & Data Management

Successful missions require more than good flying. Pilots must plan routes, assess hazards, manage data, and ensure compliance with airspace and regulatory requirements — all skills taught in USI’s Safety Level 3 and VSO Ground courses.

4. Advanced Operational Readiness (BVLOS, Waivers, & Emerging Tech)

BVLOS operations require FAA waivers or compliance with upcoming Part 108 rules. Mastery of detect-and-avoid systems, communications protocols, and redundancy planning sets professionals apart.

Building a Career Beyond Part 107

Layer your Part 107 certificate with industry-recognized training that proves you’re operationally ready.

Safety Level Certifications

Progressive competencies in UAS systems, maintenance, risk management, and advanced operations.

  • UAS Safety Level I & II — foundational systems & safety.
  • VLOS Operations — VSO Ground/Flight for standard ops.
  • Advanced Unmanned Safety I & II — risk management, human factors, SMS.
  • UAS Cybersecurity — (if available) broaden your skill set.

Specialized Endorsements & Skills

Targeted skills that set you apart in specific domains.

  • BVLOS Readiness — prepare for beyond-visual-line operations.
  • Thermal Imaging — IR inspections for energy & public safety.
  • Mapping & Surveying — GIS and photogrammetry workflows.
  • Sector-Specific Training — public safety, utilities, agriculture, inspections.
💡 Resume Tip: Include keywords like “BVLOS certified” and “UAS safety management.” Recruiters search for them.

Final Thoughts

Part 107 is your entry ticket — not the whole journey. In a competitive field, success comes from combining regulatory compliance with real-world skills, safety leadership, and technical versatility. The industry rewards those who can demonstrate they are ready for complex, high-value missions.

Next Step: Explore USI’s full training pathway to see how you can progress from Part 107 to advanced, standards-based certifications that position you as a leader in the UAS workforce.

Ready to Go Beyond

Part 107?

Explore USI’s training pathway and elevate your credentials today.