FAA Part 108 BVLOS Certification (Proposed Rule)
FAA Part 108 is the forthcoming federal rule that would allow routine, waiver-free beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations. It is expected to unlock scalable drone delivery, long-range inspection, and autonomous commercial flight. Important: Part 108 is not yet in effect — it is a proposed rule undergoing final review, so no one can hold a Part 108 credential today.
Issued / Governed By
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — proposed rule, not yet effective
Time to Earn
Not yet determined — the final rule and its compliance dates have not been published
Estimated Cost
Not yet published (the proposed framework introduces new operator and airworthiness pathways)
Who needs this credential?
Drone delivery companies, long-range infrastructure and pipeline inspection operators, autonomous UAS programs, and any commercial operator that currently needs a case-by-case BVLOS waiver. This is a forward-looking credential to track, not one you can earn today.
Prerequisites
- None available yet — Part 108 is a proposed rule and is not open for application
- In the meantime, operators use FAA Part 107 plus a BVLOS waiver for beyond-visual-line-of-sight work
- Watch the FAA rulemaking docket for the published final rule and its effective/compliance dates
How to get certified
- 1
Understand the current status (as of 2026)
The FAA submitted the Part 108 final rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review in mid-2026. Until OIRA clears it and the FAA publishes the final rule with compliance dates, Part 108 is not in effect and cannot be applied for.
- 2
Operate under Part 107 + a BVLOS waiver for now
Until Part 108 takes effect, beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations still require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate plus a Part 107 waiver (or an exemption) authorizing the specific BVLOS operation.
- 3
Track the rulemaking
Follow the FAA UAS BVLOS rulemaking updates and the federal docket. When the final rule publishes, it is expected to define operator certification, aircraft airworthiness acceptance, and third-party services such as UAS Traffic Management (UTM).
- 4
Prepare your operation for the transition
Build the safety case, crew training records, and airworthiness documentation your BVLOS waivers already require. Operators with mature waiver programs are best positioned to move quickly once Part 108 opens.
Part 107 vs. Part 108 — how they differ
Part 107 governs today's small commercial drone operations and is built around keeping the aircraft within visual line of sight. Part 108 is the proposed rule designed specifically to make routine BVLOS operations legal without a waiver.
- Part 107: in effect today; standard operations are within visual line of sight; BVLOS requires a waiver.
- Part 108: proposed / not yet effective; intended to authorize routine BVLOS without case-by-case waivers.
- Part 108 is expected to introduce operator certification and aircraft airworthiness acceptance beyond what Part 107 requires.
Why Part 108 matters for the drone industry
Waiver-free BVLOS is widely viewed as the single biggest regulatory unlock for commercial drones. It is the gate to scalable package delivery, long-range linear-asset inspection (power lines, pipelines, rail), and highly autonomous operations — which is why it is a defining credential for the future UAV/UAS/RPA workforce.
Current status and what to expect
As of 2026 the Part 108 final rule is under OIRA review after being submitted by the FAA. The exact certificate structure, eligibility, testing, and compliance timeline are not final and could change before publication. Treat any specifics as provisional until the FAA publishes the final rule.
Related career roles
Always verify current requirements with the issuing authority before you begin.
FAA UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)