What is the minimum age to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate?

To obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate, the minimum age is 16 years old. This requirement is established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that individuals who are operating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have reached a level of maturity and responsibility that is generally associated with that age.

Being at least 16 years old allows a pilot to better understand and comply with the regulations, safety protocols, and operational knowledge necessary to safely operate drones in the national airspace. This age criterion aligns with other pilot certification requirements, which similarly set the minimum age at 16 for private pilot certificates and aviation-related licensing, ensuring a consistent standard across aviation sectors.

As a note, those younger than 16 can certainly be involved in drone operations under supervision or for educational purposes but cannot be certified as remote pilots, highlighting the importance of maturity and understanding in aviation safety.