Where to Take the Drone Pilot License Exam?

[VanReid]

Drone training institutions or qualified companies. The requirements for applying for a drone pilot license are as follows: 1. Eligibility requirements for Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) pilot applicants: (1) Be at least 16 years old; (2) No criminal record within the past five years; 2. Eligibility requirements for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) pilot license applicants: (1) Be at least 18 years old; (2) No criminal record; (3) No color blindness, color weakness, or sudden illnesses, and have a training authorization instructor sign the training logbook to certify the applicant's eligibility to participate; 3. Pass the prescribed theoretical and practical exams; 4. Flight experience requirements: Have at least 56 hours of flight experience operating powered drones; For multi-rotor drone category applicants, authorized instructors must provide no less than 15 hours of accompanied flight training and no less than 5 hours of solo flight training, with flight simulation training time counting towards the pilot's flight experience not exceeding 28 hours.

[Zane]

I obtained my drone pilot license from a provincial-level specialized drone training institution. At the time, I checked the list of CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) certified training organizations online and went directly to register on-site. The total training lasted two weeks, with theoretical courses covering drone regulations and meteorological knowledge, while practical sessions involved practicing hovering and figure-8 flights at an outdoor training field. The exam was conducted right at the training base, with the examiner grading on the spot. I strongly advise everyone to choose legitimate institutions with CAAC license numbers, as certificates from some unaccredited schools won't be recognized by the civil aviation system. Nowadays, getting certified is quite convenient, with test centers available in most cities. It's best to call and confirm the nearest available schedule before registering.

[McParker]

To obtain a drone pilot license, you must go to a test center authorized by the Civil Aviation Administration. I previously compared three institutions and finally chose the flight academy with a reasonable course schedule. The training alternates between urban classrooms and suburban airports, covering theoretical exams on aviation regulations, meteorological knowledge, emergency handling, and practical exams on flight precision and fault response. It is recommended to obtain the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) pilot certificate for broader applicability, but you must first obtain the Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) license before upgrading. The exam location is fixed at the flight base contracted by the institution, with a pass rate of about 70%. The key is to practice more on the simulator. In terms of cost, the basic certificate costs around five to six thousand, and you have to pay a retake fee if you fail.

[JudahLynn]

Last month, I just passed the drone exam. I directly searched for AOPA-certified training centers on my phone map and enrolled at the nearest branch. The theory part involved using an app with a comprehensive question bank, while the practical training took place on a soccer-field-sized training ground provided by the institution. The examiner required completing tasks like precise landing and emergency obstacle avoidance—making three mistakes meant failing. Key points to note: the license has different classifications; no medical exam is needed for light drones, but for medium to large drones used in logistics, you must first obtain a medical certificate from a designated hospital. The exam site is applied for by the training center and approved by the civil aviation authority, usually located in open suburban areas.

[CourtneyAnn]

Our company arranged the certification training uniformly, selecting a CAAC five-star rated training institution. The certification process is quite standardized: first submit identification and medical examination forms, complete 10-day training (60 hours theory + 20 hours flight), and finally take the exam at the general aviation airport cooperating with the institution. There were 32 trainees in the same batch, and the examiner focused on checking flight recorder data to evaluate operational standards. Different aircraft types have different exam requirements - multirotors are tested on flat ground while fixed-wing aircraft require proper runways. It's advisable to clarify your operational needs before certification, as requirements differ completely between agricultural spraying and aerial photography certifications.

[MacLeila]

To obtain a drone pilot license, you must register through an official training institution. Before taking the exam, I visited three institutions for comparison and found that some small institutions were warned by the Civil Aviation Administration for using simplified training grounds to cope with exams. The standard procedure is: check certified institutions on the official website → register and pay fees → attend training (theory includes aerodynamics and civil aviation regulations) → take the practical exam at a venue registered with the Civil Aviation Administration. The exam location varies depending on the license level—light drones are tested in open areas like playgrounds, while heavy drones must be tested at general aviation airports. Currently, there are over 200 exam sites nationwide. Students in northern regions are advised to avoid taking the exam in winter, as windy days affect the pass rate.