Part 107 in Washington: Register With WSDOT Too
Washington State requires commercial drones to be registered with WSDOT every calendar year, for $15 each, on top of FAA registration. Who it covers and when.
Washington is a state where FAA registration is not the only registration. Under RCW 47.68.250, every aircraft operated or based in Washington, including commercial unpiloted aircraft systems, must be registered with the Washington State Department of Transportation for each calendar year. The fee is $15 per registration and per annual renewal. If you fly commercially in Washington, budget for both the FAA and the state registration.
What does RCW 47.68.250 require?
RCW 47.68.250 says:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | Every aircraft operated or based in Washington, expressly including commercial unpiloted aircraft systems |
| How often | Each calendar year the aircraft is operated or based in the state |
| Fee | $15 per registration and per annual renewal |
| When to pay | During January, for the calendar year |
| What you need | The applicable federal certificate, the registration fee and the state aircraft excise tax, per subsection (3) |
The state treats "unpiloted aircraft system" as the same thing as an unmanned aircraft system, so a Part 107 drone flown for business is a commercial unpiloted aircraft system.
$15
Washington's annual registration fee per commercial drone, on top of FAA registration
Are any drones exempt?
The section lists exemptions. The one most relevant to visiting pilots: an aircraft owned by a nonresident that stays in or is based in Washington for less than 90 days. Government aircraft not carrying persons or property for commercial purposes are also exempt, and subsection (6)(h) exempts unpiloted aircraft systems used exclusively for hobby or recreation.
State registration does not replace FAA registration. Under §107.13 the drone must still be registered with the FAA, and the registration post covers that side.
What federal rules matter most in Washington?
Seattle sits under Class B airspace and Spokane under Class C, so much metro work needs authorization under §107.41 through LAANC. Marine air brings low clouds and fog to the Puget Sound area; the cloud clearance post shows how quickly a low ceiling limits altitude.
A worked example
A Tacoma roofing company buys two drones in March for inspections. Each is registered with the FAA and marked. Because they are commercial and based in Washington, each also needs WSDOT registration for the calendar year. The statute says the fee is paid in January, so for an aircraft bought mid-year, check with WSDOT how to register it for the current year.
What this means for the exam
The FAA test covers federal registration only: which drones must be registered and how they are marked. State registration is not on it.
Other states are compared in the state drone laws guide.
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