Drone Registration

All drones over 250 grams (0.55) must be registered with the FAA at the prior to use. Before beginning registration, it is important to understand your usage classification.

If the drone is used for business purposes (commercial operations), such as filming a promotional video, an athletic practice, or surveying a construction site, it should be registered under . This would include use by various University Business Units as well as Athletics.

If it is used for educational or research purposes, it can be registered as either a part 107 or a recreational drone. Note that there are more restrictions for recreational flights. This type of use would be operations as part of a research grant or academic course.

If used purely for fun by a student organization or club, then it is classified as a recreational drone.

Both registrations cost $5, payable to the FAA. A physical or digital copy of the drone registration must always be in the pilot’s possession and is subject to request by local, state, and federal officials. 

To comply with both FAA and SMU, please use the following buttons to register your drone. Once registered with the FAA, you must also register with SMU.