Quick answer: FAA Part 107 is the federal certification required to legally operate a drone for commercial work in the U.S. Any company using a drone to wash windows, facades, or roofs for pay is required to have a Part 107-certified Remote Pilot at the controls — it isn't optional, and it isn't the same as the hobby-level registration anyone can get for a recreational drone.
What Part 107 actually requires
To fly commercially, a pilot has to earn a Remote Pilot Certificate by passing the FAA's Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an approved testing center. The applicant has to be at least 16 years old, able to read, speak, and understand English, and in a condition to safely operate an aircraft. The certificate isn't permanent, either — the FAA requires recurrent training every 24 months to keep it current, so an active certificate reflects an operator who's still up to date, not just someone who passed a test once.
What it means operationally
Part 107 sets hard limits on how a commercial drone can be flown: it has to stay within the remote pilot's visual line of sight, below 400 feet, under 100 mph, and generally during daylight or civil twilight. The aircraft itself has to be registered with the FAA, and current rules require it to broadcast Remote ID — essentially a digital license plate — while in the air. None of this is optional paperwork; it's the operating envelope every certified flight has to stay inside.
Why it matters for your property
The practical difference is accountability. A certified, insured operator is legally and financially responsible for the flight — if something goes wrong, there's a real certificate, a real insurance policy, and a real regulatory framework behind it. An uncertified operator flying for pay is doing so illegally, which means none of that accountability exists if a job damages your property or someone gets hurt. Every Clearline pilot holds a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, and every job is fully insured.
Frequently asked
Is it illegal to hire an uncertified drone operator for paid work?
Yes. The FAA requires anyone operating a drone for commercial purposes — including paid cleaning work — to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operating without one violates federal aviation regulations, and hiring an uncertified operator can leave the property owner without recourse if something goes wrong, since the operation itself was never legal.
How do I verify a company's Part 107 certification?
Every Remote Pilot Certificate has a certificate number. A legitimate commercial operator will provide theirs on request, along with proof of insurance. You can also ask directly whether the pilot flying your job — not just the company — holds current certification.
Does Part 107 cover flying near or over people?
By default, Part 107 restricts flying over people who aren't directly part of the operation, unless the aircraft and operation qualify under specific FAA categories or a waiver. This is one reason professional operators plan flight paths and timing around a property carefully, rather than flying it the same way every time.
Clearline pilots are FAA Part 107 certified and every job is fully insured.
See how it works