FAA Recreational Drone Safety Training (TRUST Certification)

Who needs it?

If you’re flying a drone purely for recreational purposes in the U.S., you’re required to complete the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). This requirement applies to all hobbyist flyers—even if you’re already FAA Part 107 certified or flying a drone under 0.55 lbs.

About the course

The FAA developed the TRUST program to ensure recreational flyers understand essential safety and operational guidelines. The test is administered online by FAA-approved providers—Alpha Tango is one such provider with experience training over 200,000 flyers.

Course Features

  • Free, self-paced online training (typically ~30 minutes). No prior drone experience is required.
  • Unlimited attempts allowed—you can retake the test until you pass.
  • After passing, you’ll instantly receive a digital certificate that you can save or print and should carry with you when flying.

Course Outline (Overview)

Complete the free, online training module

Pass the multiple-choice exam (no penalty for re-taking)

Receive and store your certificate of completion

Why it matters

Passing TRUST is the law—under the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, recreational flyers must demonstrate knowledge of drone safety, regulatory compliance, and flying best practices, and must carry proof of passage if asked by the FAA or law enforcement.

FAQs

TRUST is an aeronautical knowledge and safety test created by the FAA for recreational drone pilots.
Every hobbyist flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations must take and pass it, and carry proof during flight.

All U.S. recreational drone flyers—regardless of drone weight (under or over 0.55 lb) or having a Part 107 certificate—must pass TRUST.

No statutory minimum age exists. Any individual operating a drone under the Exception must pass TRUST.

Yes—FAA-approved Test Administrators are required to offer TRUST at no cost.