The Drone Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations is a licence from Transport Canada. You need it by law to fly a drone near people or in controlled airspace.
Official website ↗Basic drone flying is allowed in open areas away from people and airports. Many drone jobs go beyond that. Event filming, urban mapping and inspection work often put a drone close to people or inside controlled airspace. For those jobs, Transport Canada requires the Advanced Operations certificate.
The certificate is valid across the country. It shows that you know the rules, can judge risks in the air and can fly safely in tougher conditions. Employers in photography, videography and mapping often ask for it before they will let you fly on a client job.
The exam is a written, multiple-choice test taken online. It checks that you understand airspace, weather, safety rules and how to plan a flight. After the exam you must also pass a practical flight review. A reviewer watches you fly and confirms you can control your drone safely. If you do not pass the exam the first time, you can try again after a waiting period.
Your certificate does not expire on a fixed date, but you must keep your knowledge current. Transport Canada requires pilots to complete a recurrency check on a regular schedule. Keep your contact details up to date in your pilot account and watch for any rule changes that affect how you fly.