FAA Drone Registration and Remote ID Requirements for Commercial Operators

Part 107 registration and Remote ID are separate requirements that must match the aircraft actually used on the job. A drone can be registered but have an incorrect Remote ID serial number, or it can broadcast Remote ID while displaying the wrong registration marking. Check both records before launch.

Every Drone Flown Under Part 107 Must Be Registered

Federal law requires registration for every drone operated under Part 107. This includes aircraft that weigh 0.55 pounds or less. The sub-250-gram exception applies only to aircraft flown exclusively under the limited recreational exception.

Register through FAADroneZone using the Part 107 dashboard. Part 107 registration costs $5 per aircraft and is valid for three years. Each aircraft receives its own registration number and certificate.

Information Needed for Registration

• Owner’s legal name and contact information.
• Physical and mailing address, when different.
• Email address and phone number.
• Aircraft make and model.
• Standard Remote ID aircraft serial number or broadcast module serial number, when applicable.
• Payment information for the FAA registration fee.

Register the legal owner Part 48 registration is completed by the owner using the owner’s legal name. A brand name or website name should not replace the legal owner unless the entity itself owns the aircraft and is eligible to register it.

Display the Registration Number on the Exterior

The FAA registration number must be legible, remain attached for the duration of the operation, and appear on an external surface of the aircraft. A label hidden inside a battery compartment does not satisfy the current external-display rule.

Use a durable marking that survives normal handling, cleaning, heat, and weather. Recheck the label after repairs, shell replacement, repainting, or transfer of components between aircraft.

Carry the Registration Certificate

The operator must have the aircraft registration certificate in paper or digital form while flying. When another person operates the aircraft, that person must have access to the certificate. Federal, state, or local law enforcement can request it.

Remote ID: The Three Compliance Paths

Path	What it means for the operator
Standard Remote ID aircraft	Remote ID capability is built into the aircraft. It broadcasts the required identification and location information about the aircraft and control station.
Remote ID broadcast module	An approved module is attached to a non-Standard Remote ID aircraft. The module broadcasts aircraft identity and the takeoff location. The pilot must maintain VLOS.
FRIA operation	A drone without Remote ID equipment may operate only within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area, with the aircraft and control manipulator remaining inside the FRIA and within VLOS.

Part 107 Device Registration Is Individual

Part 107 pilots must register each Standard Remote ID aircraft or broadcast module separately in the Part 107 inventory. Each device receives a unique registration number. This differs from recreational inventory management and is a common source of incorrect online instructions.

For a broadcast module, confirm the module serial number is entered in the FAA record for the device. For a Standard Remote ID aircraft, confirm the manufacturer-issued Remote ID serial number rather than assuming the visible aircraft serial number is always the same field.

Confirm the Declaration of Compliance

Before relying on Standard Remote ID or a broadcast module, check that the product and serial-number format are covered by an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance. Manufacturers—not pilots or dealers—submit Remote ID declarations to the FAA.

A third-party app showing a broadcast packet can be useful for troubleshooting, but it does not replace the manufacturer declaration, correct registration record, and functional preflight check required by the rule.

Remote ID Preflight Check

1. Confirm that the aircraft or module is the device listed in the Part 107 inventory.
2. Verify the Remote ID serial number in FAADroneZone against the aircraft or module.
3. Confirm required firmware and configuration are installed.
4. Power up in the planned flight configuration and verify Remote ID is functional before takeoff.
5. Do not disable Remote ID functionality.
6. If Remote ID stops broadcasting in flight, land as soon as practicable as required by Part 89.

Repairs, Firmware Changes, and Fleet Management

Fleet records should link the FAA registration number, aircraft serial number, Remote ID serial number, model, owner, current firmware, and maintenance status. A shell replacement or controller swap may not change the legal identity, while replacement of the aircraft or Remote ID hardware may require a new or updated registration entry.

Do not move labels, registrations, or serial numbers between aircraft merely because two units are the same model. The registration must identify the actual aircraft or registered device used in the operation.

Common Registration and Remote ID Errors

• Using a recreational registration for a Part 107 flight.
• Assuming a drone under 250 grams does not need Part 107 registration.
• Placing the FAA number only inside the battery compartment.
• Registering the product serial number when the FAA form requires the Remote ID serial number.
• Moving one Part 107 broadcast module between aircraft without maintaining the correct individual device records.
• Launching after Remote ID fails to initialize.
• Replacing the aircraft but continuing to use the previous unit’s registration record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register all company drones under one Part 107 number?

No. Part 107 registration is aircraft- or device-specific. Each registered aircraft or broadcast module receives its own number.

Can a broadcast module support BVLOS?

Not under the standard broadcast-module compliance path. Part 89 requires the person manipulating the controls to be able to see the aircraft throughout that operation, unless the FAA grants other specific authority.

Does Remote ID replace airspace authorization?

No. Remote ID, registration, pilot certification, airspace authorization, and operational waivers are separate compliance layers.

Related Guides

• How to Get a Part 107 Certificate
• FAA Part 107 Operating Limits
• Flying Drones Over People and Moving Vehicles

Compliance notice This page provides general federal compliance information and is not legal advice. Confirm current FAA rules, airspace restrictions, waivers, authorizations, and local requirements before each operation.