Do I Need an FAA Part 107 License to Film With a Drone for My Business?
If you’re a business owner and you’re thinking, “Can we just send a drone up and grab some footage?” you’re not the only one. The confusing part is that drones feel casual, but the rules don’t.
Here’s the clean version.
When you need Part 107 (most business situations)
If the drone flight supports a business purpose, marketing, documentation, progress updates, training, inspections, social content — you’re in commercial use territory. That’s when FAA Part 107 matters.
You need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate to operate a drone for any business, work, or non-recreational purpose, including, but not limited to, paid photography, real estate, agricultural inspections, or monetized content. Any drone used for these commercial purposes must be registered, regardless of weight.
When you probably don’t
If you’re flying strictly for personal fun, not connected to a business, not compensated, not capturing content for a company — that’s usually hobby/recreational territory. Still rules, but different.
What to ask before you hire anyone
These three questions remove 90% of the risk:
- Are you Part 107 certified?
- Do you handle airspace checks and any required authorizations?
- If the location requires it, can you provide proof of insurance / COI?
That’s it. No awkward conversation needed.
Why this matters for franchises / multi-location brands
If you manage multiple locations, the goal is consistency: same vendor standards, same process, same risk controls. You don’t want one store “winging it” while another store does it properly. A simple Part 107 requirement keeps your brand out of dumb situations.
Bottom line
The drone is just a camera. Treat it with the same professionalism you’d expect from any commercial production.