Drone Pilot Licensing
Drone Pilot Licensing in Canada
Anyone operating a drone in Canada is responsible for understanding and following Transport Canada regulations.
Certification levels
Three Levels of Certification
The certificate you need depends on the drone you fly, how you operate it, and where you fly. Canadian RPAS regulations now recognize three pilot certificate levels: Basic, Advanced and Level 1 Complex.
Level 01
Basic Operations
Drones up to 25 kg, flown within visual line-of-sight, in uncontrolled airspace, and more than 30 m horizontally from any person.
Additional requirements apply around aerodromes and restricted areas. A Basic certificate does not authorize Advanced or Level 1 Complex operations.
- Small Basic Exam
- Minimum age: 14
Level 02
Advanced Operations
Additional operating privileges, including operations closer to people and in controlled airspace with appropriate authorization.
Additional operating privileges, including operations closer to people and in controlled airspace with appropriate authorization.
- Advanced Exam
- In-person flight review
- Minimum age: 16
Level 03
Level 1 Complex Operations
Certain lower-risk beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations below 400 ft AGL, in uncontrolled airspace, away from populated areas and aerodromes.
Must be conducted under an RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC), with the appropriate pilot certificate and a drone meeting the applicable safety requirements.
- Advanced Exam
- 20 hours ground school
- Level 1 Complex Exam
- Level 1 Complex flight review
- Minimum age: 18
Choosing your certificate
Which Certificate Do You Need?
The certificate and operating requirements depend on several factors.
What you fly
Drone weight and capabilities
How you fly
Distance from people and line-of-sight requirements
Where you fly
Airspace and proximity to aerodromes
Type of operation
Basic, Advanced or Level 1 Complex. Operations outside these categories may require an SFOC-RPAS.
Transport Canada may require additional permissions for operations that fall outside the Basic, Advanced or Level 1 Complex frameworks.
DroneStripe pilot experience
Experience Backed by Transport Canada Certification
DroneStripe founder Wesley Mossing holds Transport Canada Basic, Advanced and Level 1 Complex RPAS Pilot Certificates, along with more than 10 years of professional drone operating experience.
This combination of formal certification and practical field experience supports DroneStripe’s approach to safe, compliant and professional drone operations.
Stay informed
Regulations Can Change
Drone regulations and operating requirements can change as Transport Canada updates Canada’s RPAS framework.
The information provided on this website is intended as a general educational resource and should not be relied upon as legal, regulatory or operational advice. Requirements can vary depending on the aircraft, operation, location, airspace and other circumstances.
Always confirm the current requirements directly with Transport Canada before conducting a drone operation.
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