COA Loophole: How Law Enforcement Bypasses Federal Drone Licensing

FAA’s waiver program for public agencies has become a shortcut around Part 107 professional standards.

Joseph Corrigan

Monday, November 17, 2025 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Several law enforcement agencies use drones. [Credit: Joseph Corrigan]

Key Takeaways:

Public agencies often operate drones under FAA Certificates of Authorization (COAs), which exempt their pilots from obtaining the rigorous Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for civilian and commercial operators.
This exemption raises concerns about professionalism, aviation safety, and public trust, as it can lead to undertrained operators lacking a comprehensive understanding of airspace regulations and flight responsibilities.
The article advocates for public agencies to require their drone pilots to obtain a Part 107 license and implement robust internal oversight and transparency to ensure equal professional standards and accountability in the national airspace.

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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, have revolutionized the way law enforcement and public agencies serve their communities. From disaster response and crime scene documentation to search and rescue, drones provide rapid intelligence and cost-effective aerial capabilities once reserved for manned aircraft.

The FAA recognizes this benefit and, to facilitate public operations, issues Certificates of Authorization (COAs) to government entities that need to use drones for official purposes. These COAs allow government agencies, including police and sheriff’s departments, to fly drones without requiring individual officers to hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.