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:

While Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are valuable for public agencies, the FAA's Certificate of Authorization (COA) allows government entities to operate drones without requiring individual pilots to obtain a Part 107 federal remote pilot license.
The author, a licensed pilot, contends that this COA framework is being exploited by some law enforcement agencies as a loophole, permitting officers with only minimal internal training to operate drones instead of adhering to professional licensing standards.
This circumvention of federal licensing raises significant concerns regarding public safety, professionalism, liability, and fairness, as private and commercial operators must pass a rigorous Part 107 exam.
The article advocates for public agencies to require their drone pilots to obtain a Part 107 license, ensuring equal or higher standards of competence and accountability for all who operate in the National Airspace System.

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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.