---
title: "What remote pilot certificate is required to manipulate the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft under 14 CFR 107.12, and how is it obtained? Answer in under 100 words."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/drones/remote-pilot-certificate-required-manipulate-flight-controls-small-unmanned
jurisdiction: "US Federal · FAA Part 107"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What remote pilot certificate is required to manipulate the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft under 14 CFR 107.12, and how is it obtained? Answer in under 100 words.

Under 14 CFR § 107.12, no person may manipulate the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft unless they hold a current remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating issued pursuant to Subpart C of Part 107, or are under the direct supervision of a certified remote pilot in command who can immediately take control. The certificate is obtained either by passing an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center or, for holders of a Part 61 pilot certificate, by completing the FAA's small UAS online training course. Holders must also satisfy the § 107.65 recency-of-experience requirement.

## Details / How it works

**Certification requirement.** 14 CFR § 107.12 prohibits any person from manipulating the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft system—or acting as remote pilot in command—unless that person holds a **current remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating** issued pursuant to Subpart C of 14 CFR Part 107.

**Two pathways to obtain the certificate:**

1. **Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test** at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center; or
2. **Hold a Part 61 pilot certificate** (e.g., private or commercial) and complete the **FAA's Small UAS Online Training Course**.

**Ongoing qualification.** Certificate holders must satisfy the recency of experience requirements of § 107.65. Subpart C (§§ 107.61–107.77) governs the application process, knowledge test, certificate issuance, and recurrent testing.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Recurrent knowledge test or training required | Within the preceding **24 calendar months** (§ 107.65) |
| Small unmanned aircraft weight limit | **Less than 55 lbs** including payload (§ 107.3) |

## Exceptions & edge cases

- **Supervised operation without a certificate:** A person may manipulate the flight controls without holding the certificate if they are under the **direct supervision** of a remote pilot in command who holds the certificate and who has the ability to **immediately take direct control** of the aircraft (manual override capability via the control station).

- **Foreign-registered aircraft:** The FAA Administrator may authorize an airman to operate a **civil foreign-registered** small unmanned aircraft within U.S. airspace **without an FAA-issued certificate**, consistent with international standards (e.g., ICAO Annex 2 and bilateral aviation safety agreements), based on reciprocal recognition of a valid foreign remote pilot license.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 14 CFR 107.12 — Requirement for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-107.12 · as of 2026-08-26
- [2] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 14 CFR 107.3 — Definitions · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-107.3 · as of 2026-08-26