The Part 107 License Exam is FREE for some folks. Do you qualify?
Much of this has already been posted, however, this is being submitted as one concise, all-inclusive set of instructions…
Certain groups of people, depending on their affiliation with various organizations, may not have to pay the $175.00 fee to take the Part 107 License Test… Additionally there are almost a hundred more exams also being offered Free.
These groups include members of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), the Joint Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC), the U.S. Military, the DOD, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS))…
And included within these groups are: Active-Duty Military, Guard, and Reserve component personnel of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy; U.S. Military retirees; U.S. Military dependents; Department of Defense (DOD) civilians; and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) civilians.
The authority for this is listed below…
I am a Retired Veteran of the US Armed Forces so my experience is with the education benefits offered at military installations and this supported my research; therefore, it deals primarily with those who are associated with the U.S. Military and those who have unescorted access onto a Military Installation.
If you are not within this group, those associated with the US Military and you are employed within one of the other above mentioned groups, you should contact your human resource department concerning your education benefits and your access to these free tests.
First off, No matter which group you are associated with, the following link lists all the Exams you may be eligible to take at No Cost (FREE…).
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix – May 18, 2021…
By the way, the Part 107 License Exam (Test Code - UAG – Unmanned Aircraft General - Small) is listed on Page 15, after nearly a hundred other exams you can take for Free…
In so many words, you will navigate to the PSI True Talent Scheduling System and you will then be sent to the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) Website to register with the FAA to be issued an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) that the FAA will associate with you from now on (If you do not already have an FTN). After you get the FTN, you will navigate back to the PSI True Talent Scheduling System and register and verify your eligibility with them. Then you will be given the opportunity to schedule a test. You will want to know the closest military installations so you input the required distance, otherwise the scheduling system will only find the available test locations near you and you will pay the $175 fee…
Here is a Web Site to find a Testing Site near you…
List of FAA Drone Testing Centers…
First, you will need to navigate to the PSI True Talent Scheduling System to verify your eligibility.
PSI True Talent Scheduling System
As you scroll down the page and read the instructions, you will be directed to go to the “Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) Website” to be issued a FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) Web Page…
IACRA is an FAA web site that allows people to apply for new Airman Certificates, or to upgrade their existing certificates. The entire application process takes place on the website, including electronic signing of applications, and at the end of the process all the necessary documents will be sent electronically to the Airman Registry.
After you have completed your registration with the FAA and have been issued your FTN (looks like C-1234567), you will be directed back to the PSI True Talent Scheduling System and with your FTN, you will now have to register with them.
Once you have completed the registration process, you will be able to schedule an Exam. If you want a Free Exam, you must take it at a Military Installation and if any Exam Dates are available, you may then choose a date and time. The Scheduler will also list all other exams available within the Time Frame and Distance you specified. However, if these Exam Sites are not on a Military Installation, they are a Commercial Test Facility and you will have to pay the $175 Fee.
As you can see in the example of the schedule read out that I checked the FREE Exam is clearly marked. If there is no reference to it being Free, it isn’t…
I did not schedule a test so I cannot say what happens after you Click the SCHEDULE Button as I am only getting the footwork done in preparation to taking the test
To ensure the exam is free, you may have to Google the phone number, (for example “Fort Podunk or Zoomie Air Force Base Education Center”…). Additionally, if no dates come up on the scheduler at the Military Installation, you might have to ask if they are still testing…
Fort Eustis, Virginia, (home of the Army Transportation School and the Army Aviation Logistics School) came up as one of the possible Test Facilities, but they stopped the testing when the pandemic hit and they have no intention to re-start. It is Home of their Helicopter School and the personnel cannot get advanced aviation certificates, figure that one…
Back on point, a member asked about Disabled Veterans. I am not the “Gate Guard” I can only guess from what I have read over the years…
If you are a Veteran with a Service Connected Disability and you were medically retired, you might still qualify…
The DoD recently announced the rules for how newly eligible veterans and caregivers (spouses, significant others, etc…) will be able to gain "unescorted " base access to take advantage of the Commissary, Exchange, and MWR facilities (and Education benefits???).
Veterans with a service-connected disability will need a Veterans Health Identification Card, or VHIC, to be able to gain access to the bases and use these facilities.
The VHIC must state the veteran’s eligibility. For example, the card must have a designation for Purple Heart, Former POW, or Service Connected rating. This is indicated on the card itself.
Next, if you are eligible for these privileges, read the following link…
So, this ID would give you access to the base and you should be eligible to take the test on a military base or post.
The requirements to take the test does not stipulate a Military ID Card… See this link…
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix – May 18, 2021…
When I spoke the Testing Proctor, they were more concerned that I have “unescorted” (not needing someone to escort me…) and that I bring a government photo ID (I asked if a driver’s license was OK and she said if it’s our countries driver’s license?) and that I wear a mask… She also went into detail about what I can and what I cannot bring to the test (no pens, no pencils, no paper, only a “4-banger” calculator, etc…).
Finally, if you do not qualify for this FREE Exam, you might still be able to take the Commercial Exam ($175.00) without cost. Depending you your situation, unemployed, disabled, under employed, etc… You would need to do all the footwork yourself and contact various Fraternal Organizations, Benevolent Associations, Church, and Civic organizations where many are happy to help out…
Good Luck to All…