Drone Pilot Certificate in Canada — Courses, Costs & Steps
2025-08-25 • 2 min read
Drone Pilot Certificate in Canada — Courses, Costs & How to Sign Up
If you've registered your drone—great! Next step: get your Pilot Certificate to fly legally in Canada. Here's where to go, what to expect, and what you need.
1. Choosing the Right Level: Basic vs Advanced#
| Certificate Level | Description | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Fly in uncontrolled airspace, away from people and built-up areas | Small Basic Exam (online) |
| Advanced | Fly near people or in controlled airspace | Advanced Exam + Flight Review |
Learn which category applies:
Find your category of drone operation — Transport Canada
2. Official Training & Exam Links#
🟢 Basic Pilot Certificate#
- Course & Exam — Free on the Drone Management Portal (DMP)
Drone Management Portal (Transport Canada) - Includes tutorials and quizzes; you can retake for free.
🟡 Advanced Pilot Certificate#
Advanced requires an online exam and a Flight Review. For the exam prep, choose a Transport Canada–recognized training provider:
- FlySmart Training — $249 self-paced / $599 live-online
- Seneca Polytechnic / AlteX Academy — hybrid online + hands-on training
- Centennial College / AlteX — theory + practice fields + review prep
🛫 Flight Review (Advanced Only)#
- In-person check ride with a Transport Canada-accredited reviewer
- Cost: ~$150–$300 depending on location
- Find a Transport Canada–approved Flight Reviewer
3. Step-by-Step Enrollment Process#
- Register your drone (if needed) via the Drone Management Portal (DMP)
- Take the Basic Exam (free) if you’re going for Basic certification
- For Advanced:
- Enroll in an Advanced course (see providers above)
- Complete the Advanced exam online, receive your Exam Pass Code
- Book and pass the Flight Review with an accredited reviewer
- Log in to the DMP, upload results, and your pilot certificate is issued digitally
4. What You Need Ready#
- Transport Canada account (same as drone registration)
- Government ID (driver’s license or passport)
- Computer with webcam, stable internet, notepad for course notes
5. Regional Options (Classroom + Hybrid)#
Some provinces also have in-person schools beyond the national providers:
- Ontario — Ottawa Drone School (hybrid theory + in-person flight)
- BC — Vancouver UAV Academy (includes simulator time)
- Alberta — YYC Drones (workshop + exam prep bundles)
(Verify each one issues the official Transport Canada exam code — courses vary.)
6. Quick FAQ#
How long does certification take?
- Basic: 1–2 hrs (exam same day)
- Advanced: 3–5 hrs course + 1–2 hrs flight review
Does certification expire?
No — certificates stay valid indefinitely once issued.
Can I upgrade later?
Yes — start Basic, then complete Advanced later.
✅ TL;DR Summary#
- Basic certificate = free, online, fast for casual flying
- Advanced = required for controlled airspace or near people; costs ~$300–$500 total
- Path: Course → Exam → Flight Review → Certificate via DMP
Happy (and legal) flying!
— FPV Canada Deals