RPAS Basic

Country:
Canada

Checked against official sources on 2 October 2026.

Overview

The Small Basic exam is the online knowledge exam for the Transport Canada drone pilot certificate for basic operations. It is for small drones flown in basic operations. Transport Canada strongly recommends attending a drone flight school beforehand, and notes that its Knowledge Requirements document is not a study guide.

Who can apply

You must be 14 or older to take this exam.

Exam pattern

PartDetail
FormatOnline multiple choice, taken through the Drone Management Portal
Questions35
Time90 minutes
Pass mark65 per cent or higher

If time runs out, the exam is marked on the answers given.

Marking and results

Results appear in the Drone Management Portal as soon as you finish. If you fail you must wait 24 hours before trying again, and you can retake as many times as you like.

Fees

The Transport Canada page does not state the fee. Check the Drone Management Portal before booking.

How to apply

Sign in to the Drone Management Portal and choose the take-an-exam link.

After the exam

The pilot certificate does not expire, though Transport Canada recommends keeping your skills current.

What is the pass mark for the Small Basic exam?

65 per cent or higher on 35 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes.

How soon can I retake it?

After 24 hours, with no limit on attempts.

Does the certificate expire?

No, though Transport Canada recommends keeping skills current.

Sources