WHAT AG DRONE LICENSES DO YOU NEED TO FLY?
- Boone Caughey
- May 12
- 5 min read
If you are looking to bring an agricultural spray drone to your farm or start a custom application business, you probably already know about the incredible efficiency and cost savings. But the number one question we get asked before someone buys is: "What kind of licenses do I actually need to fly this thing legally?"
It’s true, spraying from the sky is heavily regulated by the FAA and EPA. It might seem daunting at first glance, but it is completely manageable. Here is a straightforward breakdown of the exemptions and licenses you need to legally operate a heavy-lift spray drone.
The Hylio Fast-Track Advantage
Before we dive into the licenses, there is a massive secret to saving time. Hylio makes this process easier than anyone in the industry. Normally, getting fully licensed for a heavy-lift Ag Drone takes over 8 months. However, if you purchase a Hylio drone, that timeline drops to three months or less. Why? Because Hylio pre-registers every drone with the FAA at their factory before shipment. You simply file a quick transfer of ownership, saving an average of 3 to 6 months of waiting on the FAA! Once your registration is transferred, here are the main licenses and exemptions you need to secure.
1. FAA Part 107 sUAS Pilot Certificate
This is your foundational drone license. To fly any drone commercially in the US, you need a Part 107.
Wait, what if I’m only spraying my own crops? The FAA still considers spraying your own land a "commercial activity" by definition, so you still need this certificate.
To get it, you must pass a 60-question, multiple-choice exam at an FAA-approved testing center. You need a 70% or higher to pass, and the testing fee is around $175. It covers airspace rules, weather, and emergency procedures. You can realistically study for and pass this within a week, and it is renewable online every two years.
2. FAA Part 137: Agricultural Aircraft Operations
The Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate (AAOC) is the FAA’s regulation for operating aircraft to dispense pesticides, fertilizers, and other substances. This is the exact same legal framework that manned crop duster pilots operate under.
The good news? When you purchase a Hylio UAS, complimentary Part 137 onboarding is included. They provide the templates, example documents, and step-by-step guidance to submit your application to the FAA. Once your organization has a Part 137, you designate a "Chief Pilot." That Chief Pilot can then supervise and certify other Part 107-holding pilots within your company to fly under your organization's Part 137, allowing you to scale your business rapidly.
3. 44807 Exemption & Medical Certificate
Because heavy-lift ag drones (like the Hylio Atlas or Ares) weigh more than 55 lbs at takeoff, you must secure two additional FAA clearances:
Section 44807 Exemption: All heavy-lift spray drone operators need this specific exemption from the FAA to waive the 55-pound weight limit. Hylio assists every customer with submitting this application at no extra cost.
3rd Class Airman Medical Certificate: To fly a drone over 55 lbs under these regulations, the pilot in command must hold and maintain a valid 3rd Class Medical Certificate, typically obtained through a physical examination by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
4. State Pesticide Applicator Licenses
While the FAA handles the airspace, the EPA and your state’s Department of Agriculture handle the chemicals. In the Upper Midwest, state regulations for drone application vary significantly. Here is exactly what you need to know for our specific region:
Minnesota (MDA & MnDOT):
Private Applicators: If you are only spraying your own land, you need your Private Applicator Certification plus a Category B (General Aerial) Endorsement. This requires passing a closed-book, proctored exam.
Commercial Applicators: For custom, for-hire application, you must pass exams in at least three categories: Category A (Core), Category B (General Aerial), and a site-specific category like Category C (Field Crops Pest Management).
The MN Kicker: Minnesota requires your drone to be registered with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). If you run a custom spray business, you also need a Commercial Operations License from MnDOT showing proof of insurance.
North Dakota (ND Aeronautics Commission & NDSU Extension):
North Dakota has a unique and highly structured process. You must obtain an Unmanned Aerial Applicator’s License directly through the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.
The ND Kicker: North Dakota does not differentiate between private and commercial certifications for unmanned applicators. All drone pilots applying pesticides must hold an aerial applicators license, an ag pest control certificate through the NDSU Extension program, and attend an annual agricultural safety meeting to keep their license active.
South Dakota (DANR & SDSU Extension):
South Dakota keeps things relatively streamlined through the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR).
Commercial Applicators: You must obtain certification for Category G - General (Core) and Category 17 (Aerial pest control).
Private Applicators: You must hold a Private Applicator License and add the Aerial Endorsement (Category 17) by passing the proctored exam.
Earning these state-level licenses allows you to legally purchase and apply Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) from the sky.
Simplifying the Paperwork
Once you are fully licensed, you have to maintain yearly flight and chemical records for both the FAA and the EPA. Fortunately, Hylio’s native flight software, AgroSol, tracks all of your flight activities and exports the data into compliant, easy-to-read reports, making your yearly reporting fast and painless.
A Handy Checklist: Your Path to the Skies
Use this quick checklist to ensure you have all your bases covered before your first flight:
[ ] Pre-Registration Transfer: File the FAA N-number: transferred from Hylio to you or your business.
[ ] FAA Part 107: Pass the 60-question sUAS exam at a local testing center.
[ ] 3rd Class Medical: Pass a physical exam with an FAA-designated Medical Examiner (for drones 55lbs+).
[ ] 44807 Exemption: File for your heavy-lift exemption (Hylio provides assistance).
[ ] FAA Part 137 (AAOC): Submit your Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate paperwork (Hylio provides templates).
[ ] State Core/Base License: Obtain your Private or Commercial Pesticide Applicator base license through your state's Department of Agriculture.
[ ] State Aerial Endorsement: Pass the specific Aerial application exam for your state (e.g., Cat B in MN, Cat 17 in SD, or Unmanned Aerial License in ND).
[ ] State DOT Registration (If Applicable): Register your drone and business with your state's Department of Transportation (required in MN and ND).
Don't let a little red tape keep you grounded. With Hylio's complimentary onboarding and local support from us at Harvest Drone, we make it easy to become part of this new and exciting industry. Give us a call today, and let’s get the ball rolling!
