How to get an advanced drone licence in Canada (Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations)

Step by step

1. Check that you need Advanced operations

   You need an advanced certificate to fly a small or medium drone in controlled airspace with air traffic control permission, less than 5.6 km (3 NM) from the centre of a certified airport or less than 1.9 km (1 NM) from a heliport, closer than 30 m (100 ft) to people or over them, in sheltered or EVLOS operations, or with any medium drone (over 25 kg up to 150 kg).

   Source: Transport Canada — Advanced operations

2. Study for the Advanced Exam

   Transport Canada strongly recommends attending a drone flight school before the exam. Questions are based on the Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (TP 15263), but that document is a list of required knowledge, not a study guide.

   Source: Transport Canada — Take a drone pilot online exam: Advanced

3. Pass the online Advanced Exam

   Take it in the Drone Management Portal: 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, with 80% or higher to pass. If time runs out, it is marked on the answers you gave. You see your result as soon as you finish; if you fail, wait 24 hours and try again, as often as you need. Keep the reference number you receive when you pass.

   Source: Transport Canada — Take a drone pilot online exam: Advanced

4. Book a flight review with a drone flight school

   Every Transport Canada-approved flight reviewer is linked to a self-declared drone flight school, which you contact directly. Bring your exam results page, valid government-issued identification showing your name and date of birth, and the Certificate of Registration for the drone you will fly. Appendix A of TP 15263 lists the skills the reviewer will ask you to show.

   Source: Transport Canada — Complete a flight review for drones

5. Pass the flight review

   The reviewer assesses whether you can operate your drone safely and submits your results online within 24 hours; you get an email with a link to them. If you fail, you can book another review the next day, with no limit on attempts, though each may cost a fee.

   Source: Transport Canada — Complete a flight review for drones

6. Apply for your certificate within 12 months of the review

   The certificate is issued on application if you are at least 16, have passed the Advanced Exam and passed a flight review within the 12 months before you apply. Once you pay the fee it is issued immediately, and you download and print it from the Drone Management Portal.

   Source: Canadian Aviation Regulations, s. 901.64

7. Fly only with the right drone and paperwork

   For most advanced operations the drone must have the manufacturer's safety assurance declaration for that operation, such as Standard 922.04 for controlled airspace or 922.05 and 922.06 for near and over people. You must carry proof of the drone's registration and be able to show your advanced certificate whenever you fly.

   Source: Transport Canada — Advanced operations

Who can get it

• You must be 16 or older to take the Advanced Exam and to get the advanced certificate. Source: Transport Canada — Take a drone pilot online exam: Advanced
• You must pass the Advanced Exam before you can take the flight review. Source: Transport Canada — Complete a flight review for drones
• You do not need a basic certificate first: the advanced certificate requires the Advanced Exam, a flight review and an application, and its holders can conduct both basic and advanced operations. Source: Transport Canada — Getting a drone pilot certificate
• Foreign pilots must apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS) before their flight review, which can take up to 30 working days. Source: Transport Canada — Complete a flight review for drones
• A visual observer for EVLOS operations must hold at least a basic drone pilot certificate. Source: Transport Canada — Advanced operations

What it costs

Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.

Where to take the test

The Advanced Exam is taken online in Transport Canada's Drone Management Portal. The flight review is in person, with a Transport Canada-approved flight reviewer through a self-declared drone flight school that you contact directly. Source: Transport Canada — Complete a flight review for drones

What to bring or have ready

• To the flight review: a digital or paper copy of your passed exam results page, valid government-issued identification showing your name and date of birth, and the Certificate of Registration for the drone used in the review. Source: Transport Canada — Complete a flight review for drones
• For the exam: a quiet block of 60 minutes. If you need extra time as an accommodation, email Transport Canada before you pay for the exam. Source: Transport Canada — Take a drone pilot online exam: Advanced
• Every time you fly: your advanced pilot certificate and documents showing you meet the recency requirements, both easily accessible during the flight. Source: Canadian Aviation Regulations, s. 901.66

After you pass

When you pass the flight review, apply for your Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations; it is issued immediately after payment and you download and print it from the Drone Management Portal. It also covers basic operations. Source: Transport Canada — Advanced operations

Validity and renewal

The certificate does not expire, but you may only fly advanced operations if, within the previous 24 months, you were issued the certificate or completed a drone exam, a flight review or a recurrent training activity under Standard 921.04. Keep a record of those activities for at least 24 months. Source: Canadian Aviation Regulations, s. 901.65

Common mistakes

• Flying near or over people, or in controlled airspace, with a drone that has no safety assurance declaration for that operation. An individual can be fined up to $1,000 for flying without the required declaration. Source: Transport Canada — Advanced operations (penalties)
• Treating the certificate as permission to enter controlled airspace. You still need permission from air traffic control, through an RPAS Flight Authorization from NAV CANADA, or from National Defence near military aerodromes. Source: Transport Canada — Advanced operations
• Waiting too long after the flight review. The review must have been passed within the 12 months before you apply for the certificate. Source: Canadian Aviation Regulations, s. 901.64
• Arriving at the flight review without the drone's registration certificate or government ID. The flight school needs both, plus your exam results page. Source: Transport Canada — Complete a flight review for drones
• Studying from TP 15263 alone. Transport Canada says it is not a study guide and strongly recommends a drone flight school before the exam. Source: Transport Canada — Take a drone pilot online exam: Advanced

Prepare for the test

Free practice written from the official material: full practice tests, a study guide, a printable sheet and a timed mock exam.