How to get a Part 137 certificate for a spray drone

Updated 2026-11-14 · Sources linked throughout · Not legal advice

Short answer: to spray crops with a drone in the U.S. you need an FAA exemption first, then a Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate. You file the exemption petition on regulations.gov; after it's granted, you email FAA Form 8710-3 with your exemption number to UAS137Certificates@faa.gov. Complete 55 lb+ petitions this fall went from petition to grant in 17 to 33 days.

Does Part 137 apply to you?

Part 137 covers aircraft that dispense any economic poison (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and disinfectants, per the FAA), any substance for plant nourishment, soil treatment, propagation of plant life or pest control, or that otherwise dispense directly for agriculture, horticulture or forest preservation. §137.11 says no one may conduct agricultural aircraft operations without a certificate. That includes your own farm: Part 137 has a private certificate for your own land and a commercial certificate for hire.

Step 1: Register the aircraft and get your Part 107 certificate

Weight includes the load. Drones under 55 lb fly under Part 107 and register with an FA-number. Drones 55 lb and up fly under Parts 91 and 137 and need an N-number (Form 8050-1). Either way, each pilot in command needs a Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and the grants also require it to stay current (§107.65).

Step 2: Petition for an exemption

The FAA asks for the petition at least 120 days before you need it (14 CFR 11.63(d)). 14 CFR 11.81 lists what it must contain: your name and address, the specific sections you need relief from, the extent of relief and why, why it's in the public interest, why safety isn't reduced, a summary for the Federal Register, and supporting information.

55 lb and up: a Section 44807 exemption. The November 9, 2026 grant for an Agras T100 (Exemption 27023) relieved 27 sections of Parts 61, 91 and 137. The aircraft must be on the FAA's List of Approved UAS (docket FAA-2023-1271) at its listed weight. See our 44807 guide.
Under 55 lb: an exemption from §107.36 (carrying hazardous materials) and several Part 137 sections, like Exemption 26434, granted July 29, 2026.

The FAA now sends requests for information (RFI) asking for basic operational details, and says it will close petitions that don't answer. Including those details in the petition keeps it moving.

Step 3: Write your operations manual and training program

The grants require both, tailored to your operation, kept current and available to the FAA. Before you hold the Part 137 certificate, the exemption allows only non-commercial training, proficiency, experience-building and maintenance test flights to qualify for it.

Step 4: Apply for the Part 137 certificate

Under the FAA's streamlined process for drone applicants, you no longer submit documents to your local Flight Standards District Office. Complete FAA Form 8710-3 and send it with your exemption number to UAS137Certificates@faa.gov. Make sure the operator name matches your petition and registration exactly. The FAA has also begun operational validations to confirm exemption holders understand and follow their conditions.

How long does it take?

Exemption	Petition dated	Granted	Elapsed
27023 (55 lb+, Agras T100)	Oct 23, 2026	Nov 9, 2026	17 days
27016 (55 lb+)	Oct 23, 2026	Nov 9, 2026	17 days
26831 (55 lb+)	Aug 26, 2026	Sep 28, 2026	33 days
26434 (under 55 lb, after an RFI)	Jun 2, 2026	Jul 29, 2026	~8 weeks

From the grant letters on regulations.gov. These are examples, not a promise; still file 120 days ahead. The Part 137 certificate is a separate step afterward.

Also on your list

A state pesticide applicator license (usually with an aerial category), issued by your state, not the FAA.
Airspace authorization (COA) as your exemption requires, with NOTAMs 24–72 hours before operations.
Insurance, if your state or customers require it.

Skip the blank page

SprayCert drafts your petition, operations manual, training program and Form 8710-3 worksheet from a 15–20 minute form. Preview free, $599 to download.

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