Remote Pilot Certification
This award is not eligible for Financial Aid
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Remote Pilot Certification is designed to prepare students for safe and effective operation of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 regulations. The program emphasizes understanding of unmanned aircraft systems, aeronautical safety, the National Airspace System, and weather. Students will develop skills in communication, risk assessment, flight operations, ethical and legal considerations, and aerial imaging. Successful completion of the program prepares students for the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate exam and entry-level employment in sUAS operations.
Details
Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Remote Pilot Certification (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5366N
Total credits required
5
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Notes
This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program.
What You'll Learn
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Uncrewed aircraft systems.
- Assess ethical, privacy, and legal implications of drone use in commercial and community settings.
- Demonstrate understanding of Aeronautical Safety as it applies to flying Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the National Airspace System.
- Communicate effectively using aviation terminology and procedures in operational scenarios.
- Analyze weather data and airspace information to determine flight feasibility and safety considerations.
- Operate sUAS platforms with proficiency while demonstrating flight safety, precision, and situational awareness.
- Collect aerial imagery to support industry applications.
- Conduct UAS operations to ensure safety and compliance with FAA 107 regulations.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAS101 or (UAS101AA and UAS101AB) |
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School or (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground School) | 2 | ||
| UAS107 | Remote Pilot Certification and Flight Operations | 3 |
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=16459096.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.