Do I Need a Drone License to Fly in Canada?

Yes. Transport Canada requires most drone pilots to hold a valid pilot certificate.

Microdrones (under 250g): No pilot certificate or registration required. However, you must still fly safely and not endanger anyone. Flying a microdrone at an advertised event requires a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC).

Drones 250g to 25kg: You need either a Basic or Advanced Pilot Certificate, and your drone must be registered with Transport Canada.

Basic Pilot Certificate allows you to:

• Fly small drones in uncontrolled airspace
• Fly within visual line of sight (VLOS)
• Stay more than 30m from people

Advanced Pilot Certificate allows everything Basic does, plus:

• Fly in controlled airspace (with NAV CANADA permission)
• Fly within 3NM of airports and 1NM of heliports
• Fly closer than 30m to people
• Conduct EVLOS and sheltered operations
• Fly medium drones (25–150kg)

Level 1 Complex Certificate allows everything Advanced does, plus:

• Lower Risk BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations

RPAS Centre's free courses prepare you to pass the Transport Canada exams. Start at rpascentre.com/#Pathways.

Updated on: 06/03/2026