The Licensing You Need to Start Crop Spraying With Drones (Straightforward, No-BS Guide)

New Frontier Agriculture
Nov 1
2 min read

Thinking about stepping into drone spraying? Good. The industry is shifting fast, and the producers who adapt now will be the ones with the biggest wins later. But before you can fly a single acre, you’ve got to be legal, and the FAA doesn’t mess around.

Here’s the no-fluff breakdown of the licenses, paperwork, and approvals you need to start spraying with drones in the U.S.

1. Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate — Your Starting Point

If you want to fly any drone commercially, even a small one, you must have your FAA Part 107 license.This cert covers:

Airspace rules
Weather patterns
Aviation safety
Drone operations
Emergency protocols

It’s a written test — no flight exam required — but you do need to study. Once you’re certified, you’re officially a Remote Pilot in Command, which means the FAA holds you responsible for every flight.

2. Part 137 Certification — The Big One for Aerial Application

If you want to spray, seed, or spread product from the air, you must hold a Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate.

For drone sprayers, this requires:

A detailed operating manual
Aircraft info + load specs
Pilot training documentation
A letter of authorization (LOA) for your drone model
A knowledge/skills evaluation
An FAA inspector review

This process can take weeks or months depending on your region, so start early.

3. Exemptions for Heavy-Lift Drones

Most professional spray drones weigh over 55 lbs when tanked up. The FAA treats those differently.

To legally operate drones over 55 lbs, you’ll need:

44807 exemption (formerly Section 333): allows operation over 55 lbs
COA (Certificate of Authorization) for the airspace you’ll be flying
Safety mitigations (training, maintenance logs, etc.)

New Frontier Ag can help walk operators through this — heavy-lift permissions are where most rookies get stuck.

4. State-Level Chemical Licensing

The FAA handles the flying.Your state handles the chemicals.

Most states require:

A Pesticide Applicator License (commercial or private)
Category endorsements depending on crop/land
Record-keeping and annual renewal

Some states also require:

Business licenses
Insurance minimums
Worksheet logs

If you apply anything, herbicide, foliar feed, fungicide, drift agent, you need to be licensed properly.

5. Insurance

Not technically a license, but don’t fly without it.

Spray drone operators usually carry:

Aviation liability
Chemical drift coverage
Equipment insurance
Worker/operator coverage

A single drift claim can wipe out the whole operation, protect yourself.

BOTTOM LINE

The licensing stack may look heavy, but once you have it dialed in, drone spraying becomes one of the highest-ROI, highest-efficiency tools on your farm.

If you want a partner who can help you navigate the paperwork, get your drones, set up your training, and keep your operation moving forward, New Frontier Ag is here to help you own the sky, and control the yield.