How Long
Does It Take to
Get a Drone License?

Last edited on January 13th 2023

What's involved and How Long Does it Take?

Drones, also referred to as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) by Transport Canada, have become increasingly popular in recent years for both personal and commercial applications. With the increasing prevalence of drones, it’s important for Canadians to be aware that operating a drone weighing 250 grams, or more, within Canada requires a drone pilot license, which must be obtained through Transport Canada. Canadian drone licenses are intended to educate drone operators, protect the public and protect other airspace users.

Passing either of the exams without studying first is highly unlikely. The exams are challenging and cover a wide variety of topics.

Obtaining a drone license in Canada is a necessity for anyone who wants to operate a drone, whether for personal or commercial use. There are two options available: a basic or advanced operations license. The basic license requires passing an online exam, while the advanced license requires both passing an online exam and completing an in-person flight review.

The length of time it takes to get a drone pilot license depends on several factors, including the type of license you want to obtain and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exam.

Studying for a Drone Pilot Certificate

Transport Canada recommends taking a drone training program before attempting the online exam. Our online courses are designed to help you pass whichever exam you plan to take, and both basic and advanced courses have about 15 hours of course materials. Our course covers all of the topics required by Transport Canada, outlined in TP15263, including airspace classification, meteorology, and emergency procedures.

How Long is the Basic Drone Pilot Exam?

The basic drone pilot exam is limited to 90 minutes and consists of 35 multiple-choice questions. That gives you plenty of time, if you are prepared. It is administered by Transport Canada, through their website. (ADD LINK) There are no long-form questions. To pass the basic drone exam, you must achieve a score of at least 65% on the multiple-choice questions. The cost of the basic exam is $10, and you may retake the exam after 24 hours if needed.

How Long is the Advanced Drone Pilot Exam?

Same as with the basic exam, the advanced drone pilot exam is administered by Transport Canada, through their website. (ADD LINK) It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and is limited to 60 minutes. The advanced exam also does not include long-form questions. To pass the advanced drone exam, you must achieve a score of at least 80%. The cost of the advanced exam is also $10, and you may retake the exam after 24 hours if needed.

The Flight Review

Before completing a flight review, you must pass the Transport Canada advanced drone exam. The flight review is done in-person and takes approximately 45 minutes. The drone pilot being reviewed must demonstrate that they know how to operate a drone safely during a short flight, and is expected to have a brief conversation with the flight reviewer about the rules and responsibilities of a drone pilot. This is the final step to getting your advanced drone license.

Conclusion

If you managed to pass Transport Canada's Advanced exam on your first try, you could get your advanced certificate within a couple of days. However, keep in mind that there is a 24-hour period before you can retake the exam if you fail, and flight review bookings are also dependent on availability and weather conditions on the day of. You can get your basic certificate within 90 minutes if you pass on your first try. However, passing either of the exams without studying first is highly unlikely. The exams are challenging and cover a wide variety of topics. It is important to familiarize yourself with Part 9 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and all the other knowledge requirements set by Transport Canada. < (ADD LINK) Our online exam preparation courses offer written material, illustrations, audio, and quizzes to help you study at your own pace and fully understand the material.