COA vs. Part 107: Which Path Is Best for Police and Fire Drone Operations?
As drone technology rapidly evolves into an indispensable tool for public safety operations, law enforcement and fire departments across the United States face a critical strategic decision: should they pursue a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or invest in Part 107 certification for their drone pilots? This choice can significantly impact a department's operational capabilities, timelines, training requirements, and long-term program success.
While both pathways offer legitimate routes to legal drone operations for first responder operations, understanding their distinct differences—and the strategic advantages and limitations of each approach—can help departments build more robust, flexible, and sustainable drone programs that serve their communities effectively.
In this blog post, through careful analysis and real-world experience, we will walk you through why many public safety agencies are discovering that beginning with Part 107 certification provides more substantial long-term benefits and creates a stronger foundation for their unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations.
Understanding the Options
COA – Certificate of Authorization
A Certificate of Authorization, commonly known as a COA, is a specialized authorization issued by the FAA specifically to public agencies, including police departments, fire services, and emergency response teams, to conduct drone operations for governmental functions. This authorization empowers departments to implement their own pilot certification processes and typically includes broader permissions for conducting more complex mission profiles, such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, night flights, and emergency response scenarios without requiring additional waivers. The COA framework was designed to give public agencies greater operational flexibility while maintaining safety standards.
Part 107 – Remote Pilot Certificate
The FAA's Part 107 certification represents the standard regulatory pathway established for commercial drone pilots across all sectors. This certification requires individual pilots to demonstrate their knowledge and competency by passing a comprehensive FAA examination covering airspace regulations, weather patterns, flight operations, and safety protocols. While initially created for commercial operations, public safety personnel can effectively operate under Part 107 certification, either as their primary authorization or in conjunction with a departmental COA. A dual approach has become increasingly popular among forward-thinking agencies that start with Part 107 Certification, and then get their COA in the long-term.
The Process: COA vs. Part 107 – What Does It Take?
The COA is essentially a waiver that allows public entities—like police or fire departments—to operate drones for specific public aircraft operations (PAO). When a police or fire department wants to apply for a Certificate of Authorization (COA) and establish a compliant and effective drone program, they typically need support from a combination of internal leaders, FAA resources, and external consultants or training providers.
Getting a Public Safety COA (Certificate of Authorization) can be a lengthy, bureaucratic process that involved multiple layers of documentation, planning, and coordination.
Step-by-step Breakdown of the COA Application Process and Steps:
1. Establish the Department as a Public Aircraft Operator (PAO)
The police department must first be recognized as a Public Aircraft Operator by the FAA.
This includes submitting documentation that proves the entity is a governmental agency and outlining its mission and oversight.
2. Designate a UAS Program Coordinator
The department must appoint someone responsible for managing the UAS (drone) program, including COA application, recordkeeping, and communication with the FAA.
3. Develop a CONOPS (Concept of Operations)
A detailed document describing:
Types of missions (search and rescue, crime scene documentation, etc.)
Areas of operation
Types of aircraft to be used
Airspace details
Communications and deconfliction methods with manned aircraft
Emergency procedures
4. Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
A formal guide for how missions will be conducted safely and legally
Must address:
Pilot qualifications
Maintenance schedules
Recordkeeping
Emergency response protocols
Public safety coordination
5. Apply Through FAA's DroneZone or CAPS Portal
Upload all documentation, including CONOPS, SOPs, maps, and personnel details
Select either:
Blanket COA: Allows flights under 400 feet in Class G airspace (typically rural missions)
Jurisdictional COA: Specific to the agency’s operating area
SGI (Special Government Interest) Waivers: For urgent, short-notice missions like disaster response
6. FAA Review and Back-and-Forth Communication
The FAA may request revisions or clarifications, which will require outside expert and internal designated officer coordination
Departments often face delays due to documentation errors or insufficient detail
It can take 30 to 90+ days (sometimes longer) for final approval
7. Training and Implementation
Every pilot must be trained in line with the COA-specific SOPs, which means there has to be someone designated internally to train and test new department drone pilots
Department must maintain records, conduct periodic reviews, and stay compliant within the COA specific SOPs
8. Annual Renewal and Amendments
COAs typically expire annually and must be re-applied for
Any change in mission type, location, or aircraft must be formally amended with the FAA
Typically, the department will need external agency or legal support to draw up and process the documentation, and someone inside the department designated to coordinate these efforts, which may take several months. Long-term there will need to be someone well-trained on the COA’s SOPs to keep the department compliant and to train new pilots.
Why It’s Considered Bureaucratic:
Time-consuming: The initial approval process is slow and involves waiting for FAA response cycles
Documentation-heavy: Every mission type and protocol must be detailed in advance
Limited flexibility: Pilots can’t adapt quickly to changes or emergencies unless a COA or waiver allows it
Administrative burden: Updating COAs, maintaining records, and reporting flight logs is labor-intensive
Non-transferable credentials: Officers trained under a COA can't carry their flight credentials to another agency or use them commercially
Step-by-Step Process to Get Part 107 Certified for Police Drone Operations:
Unlike the bureaucratic nature of the COA process, obtaining Part 107 certification is much faster, simpler, and standardized, making it a popular choice for police departments starting or scaling drone programs. Here’s a breakdown of how departments can get officers FAA-certified and flying legally in just a few weeks.
1. Choose Who Will Become Your Drone Pilots
Start by identifying officers who are interested to fly. Think about their roles—are they patrol, search and rescue, or supervisory? These will impact how and when they’ll use drones in the field. Once you’ve selected your pilots, decide whether they’ll self-study or take a formal prep course. Many public safety agencies opt for in-person Part 107 exam prep training to ensure faster success on the test.
2. Study for the FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test
This test is the key to becoming a certified remote pilot. It covers all the essentials: airspace, weather patterns, emergency procedures, drone rules, and how to read aeronautical charts. Officers can study on their own using FAA handbooks or YouTube videos—but most departments prefer a structured prep course, especially ones tailored to public safety operations, like V1DroneMedia’s Course. It speeds up the learning process and boosts pass rates. If you are deciding between an online and an in-person course, read our blog post FAA Part 107 Online Course vs. In-Person: Which Actually Gets You Licensed?
V1DroneMedia instructor Jason Damman teaches how to read aeronautical charts
3. Take the Test at an FAA-Authorized Center
Once they’re ready, your officers will schedule the Part 107 exam through PSI (the FAA’s testing provider).
The test costs around $175.
It has 60 multiple-choice questions.
A 70% score is needed to pass.
The exam’s not overly difficult with the right prep, and officers can usually complete it in under two hours. Many departments cover the exam cost as part of their training budget.
4. Apply for the Remote Pilot Certificate
After passing the test, the officer logs into the FAA’s IACRA system and submits an application for their Remote Pilot Certificate.
The FAA conducts a quick background check.
Within a few days, they’ll receive a temporary certificate.
A permanent plastic card is mailed out in a few weeks.
This certificate is theirs—it stays with them even if they transfer or leave the department.
5. Start Flying—Within Part 107 Rules
Once certified, officers can fly legally under the FAA’s Part 107 regulations. These rules allow for plenty of real-world use cases for police work—like missing person searches, accident scene documentation, or crowd monitoring.
Some of the key guidelines include:
Keep drones under 400 feet AGL (above ground level)
Maintain visual line of sight at all times
Fly during daylight unless you have a waiver
Use LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) for fast airspace approval in controlled zones near airports
6. Keep Certifications Current—Every 2 Years
Every 24 months, remote pilots must complete online recurrent training directly through the FAA website.
No more retesting required—just a short, free course
It's a great refresher and keeps everyone updated on rule changes
Why This Path Works for Police Departments
Fast and predictable: Officers can go from zero to certified in 2–4 weeks
Department-friendly: There’s no need to develop FAA-facing documentation or wait 60+ days
Credential stays with the officer: Even if they leave or get promoted, the certificate is theirs
Great morale booster: Officers can even use their license legally outside of work, from flying real estate jobs to freelance photography. Here is a guide to Careers in the Drone Industry that they could pursue as a side hustle or a retirement gig.
If your team needs to operate beyond standard rules (like flying at night or over people), you can request specific waivers from the FAA.
These waivers are applied for through the FAA Drone Zone and may require:
A written risk mitigation plan
Department SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
Proof of pilot competency
Waivers are commonly approved for public safety missions when the paperwork is solid and the justification is clear.
COA vs. Part 107: A Side-By-Side Comparison
COA vs. Part 107 Comparison
Comparative Analysis: COA vs. Part 107
Processing Time and Flexibility
COA: Historically, obtaining a COA could take several months. Recent FAA improvements have reduced this to approximately six weeks for standard COAs, with some "Shielded Operations Waivers" processed in as little as one to two weeks.
Part 107: Individuals can typically study for and pass the Part 107 exam within a couple of weeks, allowing for quicker deployment of drone operations.
Operational Scope
COA: Provides agencies with the ability to conduct specialized operations, such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights and night operations, often essential for complex missions.
Part 107: While more restrictive, Part 107 allows for a broad range of operations, with waivers available for specific activities like night flights and operations over people.
Training and Certification
COA: Agencies are responsible for certifying their pilots, which can lead to variability in training standards.
Part 107: Ensures a standardized level of knowledge and proficiency among pilots, fostering consistency and safety.
But what is the feedback from the field on getting COA vs. Part 107 to start drone operations within the agencies? Here is what some departments say:
Testimonials: Why Agencies Prefer Part 107
The Los Angeles Fire Department's drone program has become a model for other agencies nationwide, largely due to its emphasis on maintaining a roster of FAA-certified pilots to ensure operational consistency, build public trust, and maintain compatibility with insurance requirements. Fields and other program leaders have consistently observed that depending exclusively on COAs, without the foundation of properly trained and tested individual pilots, can create potentially problematic legal gray areas and operational vulnerabilities. Their experience suggests that the investment in Part 107 certification pays dividends in program stability and public confidence.
When discussing Drone Public Safety Best Practices, FAA experts are in agreement:
"Part 107 certification is highly, highly, highly recommended." — Richard Fields, Los Angeles Fire Department
Similarly, Tom Agos of the Gurnee Police Department in Illinois offered valuable insight when he stated:
"We feel like it's smart to do both because it adds a certain air of professionalism... It's for the benefit and protection of our officers and to reassure the public that we are taking all responsible steps to do things safely and by the book."
This perspective reflects a growing consensus among public safety agencies that combining Part 107 certification with COA authorization provides the most comprehensive and professional approach to drone operations. The dual certification strategy demonstrates a commitment to excellence while maintaining operational flexibility for various mission requirements.
Conclusion: The Smart Move Is Part 107 First
For public safety agencies at any stage of their drone program development (but especially as they are trying to get it off the ground), prioritizing Part 107 certification represents a strategic investment in program success. This certification ensures professional cross-industry and agency standards, accelerates deployment and use, operational flexibility, and creates valuable opportunities for personnel development and additional income streams.
Long-term, combining existing Part 107 certification of personnel with COA as the department drone programs mature creates an optimal framework for both regulatory compliance and mission-specific adaptability. This approach has proven successful for numerous agencies nationwide. However, getting regulatory compliance under Part 107 or COA is not everything that a department needs when establishing a drone program. Gaining hands-on flying experience and specialized mission training is essential for using drones effectively in first responder drone operations.
Need help getting your department Part 107 certified and operational with hands-on drone training? V1DroneMedia provides comprehensive first responder group training programs, hands-on flight practice sessions, and specialized consulting services designed specifically for law enforcement and fire department drone operations. Our instructors, aviation and law enforcement professionals, have trained hundreds of first responders and departments, helping agencies get their drone programs off the ground. Review our First Responder Drone Training Programs, and Contact Us today!