# Agricultural drone spraying rules in the United States

> What you need to spray crops with a drone in the United States: legal status, authorities, permits, requirements and operating limits, with links to the official sources.

- Canonical URL: https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/united-states
- Language: en
- Last updated: 2026-09-18
- Path: Home › Drone spraying rules by country › Agricultural drone spraying rules in the United States
- Site guide for agents: https://pulvecast.com/llms.txt

## Legal status

**Allowed with authorisation.** Spraying pesticides by drone is legal in the United States. It counts as an agricultural aircraft operation under 14 CFR Part 137, so the operator needs an FAA exemption and an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate, plus a registered drone, a certificated pilot and any pesticide applicator licence the state requires.

## Who regulates it

- **Aviation:** [Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)](https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/dispensing_chemicals)
- **Environment:** [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – pesticide applicator certification](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/certification-standards-pesticide-applicators)

## Legal basis

- [14 CFR Part 137](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-137): Agricultural aircraft operations, including drones: dispensing pesticides (economic poisons), plant nourishment, soil treatment or seeds. Requires an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate.
- [14 CFR Part 107](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107): Rules for small drones under 55 lb (25 kg) including payload. Carrying hazardous material, including pesticides, needs an exemption from § 107.36.
- [49 U.S.C. § 44807](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title49/html/USCODE-2023-title49-subtitleVII-partA-subpartiii-chap448-sec44807.htm): Lets the FAA authorise drones that are not covered by Part 107, including those of 55 lb or more.
- [40 CFR Part 171 (FIFRA)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-171): Certification standards for pesticide applicators. Commercial applicators of restricted use pesticides by aircraft need the aerial pest control category. States run the licensing.

## What you need

- Register every drone. Under 55 lb: FA number through FAADroneZone. 55 lb or more: N-number through the FAA aircraft registry. ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone))
- The pilot in command needs an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107). ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot))
- An FAA exemption. Drones under 55 lb (including the liquid) need relief from § 107.36 (hazardous material) and several Part 137 rules. Drones of 55 lb or more operate under Parts 91 and 137 and need relief from several rules in Parts 61, 91 and 137 (§ 44807). ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/dispensing_chemicals))
- An Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate (AAOC) under Part 137. After the exemption is granted, send FAA Form 8710-3 and the exemption number to UAS137Certificates@faa.gov. The name on the form must match the exemption holder. ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/FAA-Form_8710-3.pdf))
- Apply only for registered uses and never contrary to the safety instructions or use limits on the label (14 CFR 137.39; FIFRA). ([ecfr.gov](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-137/subpart-C/section-137.39))
- A pesticide applicator licence or certification from your state's pesticide regulatory agency, in the category the state requires for aerial or drone application. ([epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/certification-standards-pesticide-applicators))
- Commercial operators must keep, for at least 12 months: the name and address of each customer, the date, the name and quantity of material dispensed, and each pilot's name, address and certificate number (14 CFR 137.71). ([ecfr.gov](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-137/subpart-D/section-137.71))

## How to get authorised

1. Register the drone (FA number under 55 lb, N-number for 55 lb or more). ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone))
2. Get a Remote Pilot Certificate for each pilot in command. ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot))
3. Petition the FAA for an exemption on regulations.gov at least 120 days before you need it. Include the operator's legal name and address, the chief supervisor, the pilot's certificate number and each drone's make, model and FA or N-number. ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/dispensing_chemicals))
4. Once the exemption is granted, apply for the Part 137 AAOC with Form 8710-3. ([faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/FAA-Form_8710-3.pdf))
5. Get the pesticide applicator licence your state requires. ([epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/certification-standards-pesticide-applicators))
6. Before each job, read the product label: it must allow the use and its aerial directions and restrictions apply. Keep Part 137 records. ([epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-labels/introduction-pesticide-labels))

## Operating limits for spraying

- Part 107: at most 400 ft above ground (§ 107.51) and within visual line of sight. Exemptions for spraying set their own altitude, speed and line-of-sight conditions, which you must follow.
- No person may dispense anything from an aircraft in a way that creates a hazard to persons or property on the surface (14 CFR 137.37).
- Operations over congested areas need extra FAA approval and planning under 14 CFR 137.51.
- Buffer zones, wind limits and droplet requirements come from the product label and state rules, not from the FAA.

## Good to know

- The FAA checks exemption holders to confirm they follow their exemption conditions, hold a Part 137 certificate, are registered and have certificated pilots (FAA page updated 5 May 2026).
- A proposed beyond-visual-line-of-sight rule (Part 108) was published on 7 August 2025. It is not final, so the exemption route above still applies.

> Checked against official sources on 2026-09-18. Rules change: confirm with the authorities before operating. This page is a planning summary, not legal advice. The product label and the official rules always prevail.

## Other countries

- [Australia](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/australia)
- [Brazil](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/brazil)
- [Canada](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/canada)
- [China](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/china)
- [France](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/france)
- [Germany](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/germany)
- [Greece](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/greece)
- [Indonesia](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/indonesia)
- [Italy](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/italy)
- [Japan](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/japan)
- [Netherlands](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/netherlands)
- [Portugal](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/portugal)
- [South Korea](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/south-korea)
- [Spain](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/spain)
- [Switzerland](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/switzerland)
- [Taiwan](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/taiwan)
- [Turkey](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/turkey)
- [United Kingdom](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/united-kingdom)
- [Uruguay](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/uruguay)

## Check the spray window before you go to the field

PulveCast gives a green, yellow or red verdict for every hour from Delta T, humidity, wind, gusts, drift risk and thermal inversion. Free on Android and iOS, no account needed.

- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pulvecast.app
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/pulvecast/id6779816829