Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate Canada: Exam, Review, Cost

The Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations is Transport Canada’s second-level drone licence. To get it, you must be at least 16, pass the online Advanced exam (50 questions, 60 minutes, 80% to pass), pass an in-person flight review with a Transport Canada-approved reviewer, then apply in the Drone Management Portal and pay the $25 certificate fee (as of 2026). It lets you fly in controlled airspace with permission, closer to people, near airports and aerodromes, and with medium drones, as long as your drone has the right safety declaration.

This pillar guide explains who needs an Advanced certificate, how it compares with Basic, every step from study guide to certificate, costs, and how to stay current.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with Transport Canada.

Do you need a license to fly a drone in Canada?

Yes, if your drone weighs 250 g or more. Canada calls it a drone pilot certificate rather than a licence, and Transport Canada says pilots must always carry a valid certificate while operating. Drones under 250 g do not require a certificate, but microdrone rules still apply. There are three certificate levels:

Flying without a required certificate can lead to penalties of up to $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for corporations; see drone fines in Canada. Your drone must also be registered with Transport Canada.

Basic vs Advanced drone license

A flight becomes an advanced operation as soon as you cannot meet every condition of basic operations. The Advanced certificate covers both basic and advanced operations.

Still deciding? Start with our guide to the Basic drone pilot certificate.

What the Advanced certificate lets you do

• Fly in controlled airspace with permission from air traffic control, obtained through NAV CANADA. See controlled airspace and NAV Drone.
• Fly closer to people, and over bystanders where your drone’s safety assurance declaration allows it. See flying near people.
• Fly closer to airports and aerodromes under the advanced rules.
• Operate medium drones (more than 25 kg to 150 kg) within visual line of sight; see our medium drones guide.
• Sheltered operations around buildings or structures, and extended visual line of sight (EVLOS) in uncontrolled airspace with a small drone at least 30 m (100 ft) from any person.

Your drone must meet the safety requirements for each operation. Check the manufacturer’s declaration in Transport Canada’s list before you buy; see safety assurance declarations.

How to get the Advanced drone pilot certificate: step by step

1. Check eligibility: you must be at least 16 years old.
2. Register your drone in the Drone Management Portal if it weighs 250 g or more. You will need its certificate of registration at the flight review.
3. Study the knowledge areas listed below.
4. Pass the online Advanced exam in the Drone Management Portal.
5. Book a flight review with a flight reviewer attached to a drone flight school.
6. Pass the flight review. Results are submitted online within 24 hours.
7. Apply for the certificate in the portal and pay the $25 fee. The certificate is issued once payment is made.
8. Carry it every time you fly, in print or on your phone.

The Advanced exam

See Transport Canada’s Advanced exam page for current details.

Advanced drone pilot study guide

Transport Canada’s exam questions are based on TP 15263, which lists the knowledge pilots need. Transport Canada notes that this document is not a study guide in itself and recommends attending a drone flight school. Organize your study around these areas:

• Air law and regulations: Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, categories of operation, pilot and owner responsibilities, registration, recency and incident duties.
• Airspace: airspace classes, controlled and restricted airspace, aerodromes and heliports, reading VFR navigation charts and the Canada Flight Supplement, NOTAMs.
• Meteorology: reading METAR and TAF reports, wind, fronts, fog, icing, density altitude. Our guide to METAR and TAF for drone pilots covers the codes.
• Navigation: latitude and longitude, distances, headings and chart scales.
• Radio and communication: phraseology, frequencies and when to talk to air traffic services.
• RPAS systems: flight controllers, GNSS, command and control links, lost-link and failsafe behaviour, batteries.
• Human factors: fatigue, situational awareness, decision-making, crew roles and visual observers.
• Flight operations: site surveys, normal and emergency procedures, safety assurance declarations and record keeping.

If you are coming from Basic, our tips on passing the Basic exam still apply to the core rules.

The flight review

The flight review is a practical check of your ability to operate your drone safely, run by a Transport Canada-approved reviewer linked to a self-declared drone flight school. You contact the school directly to book.

• Bring: a copy of your passed exam results page, valid government-issued ID showing your name and date of birth, and the certificate of registration for the drone you will use.
• Expect: pre-flight planning and site survey, normal manoeuvres and emergency procedures, as listed in Transport Canada’s flight reviewer guidance.
• If you fail: you can book another review as soon as the next day; there is no limit on attempts, but a fee may apply each time.

Our detailed guide to the drone flight review in Canada explains how to prepare.

How much does the Advanced drone license cost?

Flight review prices are set by reviewers, not by the government, so compare several schools and ask what is included. The full breakdown is in our guide to drone licence costs in Canada.

Staying current: recency requirements

Your pilot certificate does not expire, but to use its privileges you must have completed a qualifying recency activity within the previous 24 months, such as passing an exam or flight review, attending a safety seminar or completing a recognized self-paced program. See recency requirements explained.

Beyond Advanced: Level 1 Complex and SFOC

Since November 4, 2025, pilots who want to fly lower-risk BVLOS can earn the Level 1 Complex certificate: be at least 18, pass the online exam for advanced and Level 1 Complex operations, complete at least 20 hours of ground school and pass a flight review. Operations outside all standard categories still need an SFOC-RPAS. See Level 1 Complex operations and our SFOC guide.

Is the Advanced certificate worth it?

If you live in or near a city with controlled airspace, want to do paid work such as real estate or inspection, or need to fly closer to people, the answer is usually yes. If you mostly fly in rural, uncontrolled airspace far from people, Basic may be enough. Many clients and insurers also look more favourably on Advanced pilots; see our guide to drone insurance in Canada.

FAQ: Advanced drone pilot certificate

Do you need a license to fly a drone in Canada?

Yes, for drones of 250 g or more you need a Transport Canada drone pilot certificate: Basic, Advanced or Level 1 Complex depending on where and how you fly. Drones under 250 g do not need a certificate.

How hard is the Transport Canada Advanced drone exam?

It is much harder than Basic: 50 questions in 60 minutes with an 80% pass mark, compared with 35 questions in 90 minutes and 65% for Basic. Airspace, charts and weather need the most study.

Is there an official study guide for the Advanced exam?

Transport Canada bases the exam on TP 15263, Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of RPAS, but says it is not a study guide on its own and recommends attending a drone flight school.

How long does the Advanced drone pilot certificate last?

It does not expire, but you must meet the 24-month recency requirements to use it.

Can I skip Basic and go straight to Advanced?

Yes. You do not need a Basic certificate first. The Advanced certificate covers basic operations too.

Next steps

Register your drone, start studying the TP 15263 topics, and book your flight review early in the season when schools are busy. For the full rule set, see our guide to drone laws in Canada.