FAA TRUST Certificate 2026: Complete Guide for Recreational and Commercial Pilots
The FAA TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Taskforce) certificate is now mandatory for all recreational drone pilots in the United States. Here’s what you need to know to fly legally in 2026.
What Is the TRUST Certificate?
TRUST is an online safety test that recreations drone pilots must pass before flying. It’s administered by FAA-approved organizations and covers basic flight safety, regulations, and airspace awareness. The test is free, takes about 20-30 minutes, and must be completed every 3 years.
Why TRUST Exists
TRUST was established to ensure recreational pilots understand basic safety rules before operating drones near people and property. The goal is reducing dangerous incidents and educating flyers about controlled airspace.
Who Needs TRUST?
– All recreational drone pilots (anyone flying for fun, not commercial purposes)
– Model aircraft hobbyists flying at designated fields
– NEW: Even pilots who previously passed TRUST need to retake and update their certificate by their 3-year expiration
Who Does NOT Need TRUST:
– Part 107 certified commercial pilots (TRUST is voluntary for you)
– Certificate of Authorization (COA) holders
– Public aircraft operators
How to Get Your TRUST Certificate
1. Visit one of the FAA-approved test administrators:
– The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) — amaflightschool.org
– Recreational UAS Safety Test (RUST) platform
– FAA-approved drone pilot schools
2. Create an account with your email
3. Complete the interactive safety instruction module
4. Pass the 25-question multiple-choice test (70% to pass, but you can retake immediately)
5. Download and save your certificate immediately — the system doesn’t always email it reliably
6. Store a digital copy in your phone’s photos and email it to yourself for backup
Key TRUST Topics You Must Know
Airspace:
TRUST covers the five categories of airspace (A, B, C, D, E) and how they apply to drone flying. A is below 500 feet AGL — only for sUAS (small UAS). B, C, D, and E require ATC authorization for drone operations.
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability):
Many controlled airspace areas have automatic authorization for drones under 400 feet AGL through LAANC. Apps like B4UFLY, AirMap, and KittyHawk show LAANC-approved zones in green.
Registration:
All drones over 250g must be registered with the FAA and display the registration number on the exterior. Registration costs $5 and is valid for 3 years.
Flying Rules:
– Keep drone within visual line of sight
– Give way to manned aircraft
– Don’t fly over people not involved in the operation
– Don’t fly at night without proper anti-collision lighting
– Maximum altitude 400 feet AGL
– Minimum weather visibility 3 statute miles
TRUST vs Part 107: Which Do You Actually Need?
If you plan to fly for any business purpose — even if you don’t charge directly — you need Part 107. This includes:
– Flying for real estate listings
– Inspections of any kind
– Photography for clients
– Mapping and surveying
– Any content created for business social media
Part 107 costs $165 and requires passing the FAA Airmen Knowledge Test at an approved testing center. It covers airspace, weather, regulations, and operational requirements in much greater depth.
Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate does NOT exempt you from TRUST — recreational flying (like flying your personal drone for fun on the weekend) still requires the recreational TRUST certificate.
2026 Updates to Drone Regulations
The FAA continues to refine rules around:
– Operations over people: Drones must be specifically designed for operations over people, or you need a waiver
– Night operations: New lighting requirements (visible from 3 statute miles) are now enforced
– Remote ID: All drones must broadcast Remote ID information. Most DJI drones manufactured after 2022 have Remote ID built in.
Related TRUST Resources
Related guides on dronesera.com: full FAA TRUST Test walkthrough, drone flight school guide, and BVLOS rules framework.