Licensing guide · Canada (federal)

How to Become a Drone Pilot in Canada (federal)

Last checked 2 sources checkedNOC 65329

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with Transport Canada to work as a drone pilot in Canada or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Flying your drone safely and legally, drone registration, drone pilot certification, where and where not to fly, report a drone incident.”

From tc.canada.ca/en, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 5 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant must successfully complete the basic operations examination based on the published knowledge requirements document.

    Source
    “has successfully completed the examination “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems — Basic Operations” in accordance with the document entitled *Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, 250 g up to and including 150 kg, Basic and Advanced Operations*, TP 15263, published by the Minister.”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

  2. The applicant applies to the Minister, who issues the basic operations pilot certificate if the requirements are demonstrated.

    Source
    “The Minister shall, on receipt of an application, issue a pilot certificate — small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) — basic operations if the applicant demonstrates to the Minister that the applicant”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

  3. For advanced operations, the applicant must successfully complete the advanced operations examination based on the published knowledge requirements document.

    Source
    “has successfully completed the examination “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems — Advanced Operations” in accordance with the document entitled *Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, 250 g up to and including 150 kg, Basic and Advanced Operations*, TP 15263, published by the Minister”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

  4. Within the twelve months before applying, the applicant must have successfully completed a flight review conducted by a qualified flight reviewer.

    Source
    “has, within 12 months before the date of application, successfully completed a flight review in accordance with section 921.02 of Standard 921 — *Remotely Piloted Aircraft* conducted by a person qualified to act as a flight reviewer under subsection 901.175(1).”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

  5. The applicant applies to the Minister, who issues the advanced operations pilot certificate if the requirements are demonstrated.

    Source
    “The Minister shall, on receipt of an application, issue a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations if the applicant demonstrates to the Minister that the applicant”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Transport Canada

5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Experience

  • Advanced operations applicants must have successfully completed a flight review within the 12 months before the date of application.

    Source
    “has, within 12 months before the date of application, successfully completed a flight review in accordance with section 921.02 of Standard 921 — *Remotely Piloted Aircraft* conducted by a person qualified to act as a flight reviewer under subsection 901.175(1).”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

Other

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages do not state how a drone pilot already certified in another Canadian province or territory can register in Canada.

Source
“The Minister shall, on receipt of an application, issue a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations if the applicant demonstrates to the Minister that the applicant”
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada

Exams

  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Basic Operations

    Source
    “has successfully completed the examination “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems — Basic Operations” in accordance with the document entitled *Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, 250 g up to and including 150 kg, Basic and Advanced Operations*, TP 15263, published by the Minister.”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Advanced Operations

    Source
    “has successfully completed the examination “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems — Advanced Operations” in accordance with the document entitled *Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, 250 g up to and including 150 kg, Basic and Advanced Operations*, TP 15263, published by the Minister”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

  • Flight review

    Source
    “has, within 12 months before the date of application, successfully completed a flight review in accordance with section 921.02 of Standard 921 — *Remotely Piloted Aircraft* conducted by a person qualified to act as a flight reviewer under subsection 901.175(1).”
    laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 65329, Other service support occupations. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Canada $15.00 $17.50 $24.73 —

Wages in every province and territory

Drone pilots in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 0 of the other 13 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Not confirmed yet
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare drone pilot licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Transport Canada tc.canada.ca/en · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Canadian Aviation Regulations laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-115.html · fetched October 8, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a drone pilot in Canada?

Yes. A licence or certificate from Transport Canada is required to work in Canada.

Which exams are required?

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Basic Operations, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Advanced Operations, Flight review.

Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too

Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.

Schedule a Call

Free consultation. No commitment.