Facts

Requirements

Duration

  • 12–16 hours of e-learning, depending on prior knowledge
  • 90-minute exam

Validity

The STS drone license (officially: EU STS Remote Pilot Certificate) is valid for 5 years. After that, you can easily renew it by completing a refresher course.

Real Customer Testimonials

★★★★★

Andreas Knappstein

I took the A2 exam on Saturday. On Monday, I was informed that I had passed and that my results had been forwarded to LBA. On Wednesday, I received confirmation from LBA – I paid €30, and everything is all set. Thank you
all. P.S. Studying on the platform is also very easy.

★★★★★

Archduke

Successfully completed the A2 remote pilot certification online. Great course materials. Reliable service. I highly recommend it to everyone. But everyone still has to do the studying themselves 😉

★★★★★

Lothar Ullrich

[...] The training material is organized in a logical and easy-to-understand way. If you take in and understand the text, photos, and videos, you'll be very well prepared for the online exam. [...]

★★★★★

Mauro Gentz

The e-learning course was great. The exam, on the other hand, didn't go smoothly at first: [...] After several attempts to restart the system, the online exam finally ran without any problems. As promised, I received the certificate from the LBA two business days later.

★★★★★

Franz Eckhard “Ecki” Endruschat

A very good online self-study course for the A2 remote pilot license. The online exam worked perfectly.

The Droniq Academy

WE'LL TRAIN YOU TO PERFECTION

The STS Remote Pilot Certificate is intended for drone pilots who already hold the EU A1/A3 Certificate of Competence and wish to expand their operational capabilities, or who, after obtaining the EU A2 Remote Pilot Certificate, want to take the next step toward professional drone operations. With the STS remote pilot certificate, you qualify for standardized operational scenarios in the Special Category and lay the foundation for more demanding missions.

It is particularly suitable for applications such as inspections, surveying, construction site documentation, aerial photography, as well as operations by government agencies, organizations with security responsibilities, and operators of critical infrastructure.

Droniq Academy supports you on your path to the STS remote pilot certificate with flexible online training, practical learning content, and optimal exam preparation.

5 Steps to Online Success

1.

Registration and Identity Verification

To get started, register on the platform and verify your identity—it’s quick, easy, and done under secure, official conditions.

2.

Preparation and Online Training

Before taking the actual exam, you have the opportunity to prepare for it using the included online course. Here, you can study the relevant topics at your own pace and test your knowledge with quizzes.

3.

Exam

The exam to obtain the EU STS remote pilot certificate consists of 60 questions covering the following subject areas: Special Category, Standard Scenarios, Operating Procedures, UAS Knowledge & Flight Performance, Airspace and Aeronautical Information, Meteorology, and Human Performance. To pass the exam, you must correctly answer at least 75% of the multiple-choice questions across all subject areas.

4.

Conclusion and Results

After successfully completing the exam, you will receive your results within 2 business days. Results of successfully passed exams are sent directly to the LBA for the issuance of the remote pilot certificate. The LBA charges a fee of 30 EUR for the issuance of the certificate.

5.

Certificate and Use

The STS license is officially recognized and authorizes you to operate drones in the specific operational category. The A2 remote pilot certificate is also issued upon passing the STS online theory exam.

Explained Simply—Our Video on the STS Remote Pilot Certificate

Training Content

Droniq Online Training on Multiple Devices
Special Category

Special Category

Special Category: Introduction, Risk Assessment, Definitions, Explanation of Terms, SORA Risk Assessment Method, Pre-defined Risk Assessment (PDRA), Remote Pilot and Operator Responsibilities, Geographic Areas,...
Standard Scenarios & Operating Procedures

Standard Scenarios & Operating Procedures

Standard Scenarios: Operations declared using the STS standard scenario, the operational declaration concept, standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02, Detect & Evade (DAA),… Operating Procedures: Pre-flight preparations, Emergency Response Plan (ERP), measures during and after the flight,…
UAS Flight Performance

UAS Flight Performance

including, among other things, typical applications, mass, balance, center of gravity, the effect of payloads, securing the payload, knowledge of how rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries work, …
Airspace & Aeronautical Information

Airspace & Aeronautical Information

Reading maps/aviation charts, airspace classifications and elements, aeronautical information, …
Meteorology

Meteorology

including: Introduction, Weather Conditions, Wind, Temperature, Visibility, Air Density, Weather Forecasts
Human Capabilities

Human Capabilities

including situational awareness, physical factors, fatigue, stress, distance estimation, airspace scanning techniques, challenges in flight operations, …

More Information

Requirements for Exam Admission
  • Possession of an A2 remote pilot certificate in accordance with UAS.OPEN.030 or
    possession of the EU A1/A3 certificate of competence for drone pilots, including a statement regarding practical self-study in accordance with UAS.OPEN.040 / Proof of practical training at a PStF
  • Minimum age of 16 years (if a minor, written consent from a legal guardian is required—either in informal form or on a form provided by us)
  • Presentation of a valid form of identification (ID card or passport)
System Requirements

Online Exam for the A2 Drone License:

For the exam, you’ll need a standard PC or laptop with a microphone and webcam, as well as a stable internet connection. Before you begin, you must install and set up the “Google Chrome” browser and the Proctorio extension (getproctorio.com). Choose a quiet, undisturbed location. A 360-degree room scan is also required, so you should select the room in advance.

E-Learning:

The following is recommended for the online training:

  • PC/tablet/smartphone
  • Internet access: DSL or LTE
  • Web browser: Google Chrome (recommended), Mozilla Firefox, Edge, and Apple Safari

Most modern devices and connections already meet these requirements by default, so no special technical equipment is necessary.

What's Included

Once your order has been successfully processed, you will receive an email granting you access to the Droniq Academy’s online training course for the A2 Remote Pilot Certificate / Drone License. The training takes approximately 12–16 hours to complete.

To register for the online exam, you will also receive an email with a link to upload all required documents. Once we have verified that all documents are complete, you will receive another link to schedule your personal appointment/exam date for the online exam. The exam can take place no sooner than 7 days after registration, so that you have enough time to study, submit all required documents to us, and allow us to review them in accordance with the guidelines of the Federal Aviation Authority.

Note:

  • Fees apply for the issuance, renewal, and amendment of certificates. The LBA charges a fee of 30.00 EUR for the issuance of an STS remote pilot certificate for the open category (Source: LBA).
  • Upon passing the theory exam for the STS remote pilot certificate, you will also receive the A2 remote pilot certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions About the STS Certificate:

How does the online exam for the STS remote pilot certificate work?

Thanks to automated exam proctoring with Proctorio, you can take the online exam anytime, anywhere. You choose your exam date and can start the exam anytime between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. The exam is monitored using AI-driven technology to ensure fairness and security.

What technology is required for the online STS license exam?

For the online exam, you will need a PC or laptop with a microphone, webcam, and a stable internet connection. Before the exam, you must install the Google Chrome browser and the Proctorio extension. This extension is available in German and English and adapts to the browser’s language settings.

Technical requirements:

  • PC/laptop running Windows or macOS
  • Microphone and webcam
  • Google Chrome browser
  • Proctorio extension (available for free at getproctorio.com)
  • Stable internet connection (at least 1 Mbit/s)
What requirements must be met to take the theory exam for the STS drone pilot license?

To obtain the STS Remote Pilot Certificate, the following requirements must be met:

  • Valid identification document (e.g., national ID card or passport)
  • If applicable, consent from the legal guardian(s) on the standard form DE.PStF.035 (for minors who are at least 16 years old)
  • Possession of an A2 remote pilot certificate in accordance with UAS.OPEN.030 or
  • Possession of the A1/A3 Certificate of Competence in conjunction with the LBA declaration regarding practical self-training
How long does the STS exam take?

The online theory exam lasts a maximum of 90 minutes. The exam can be taken at any time within the specified time window.

How quickly can I complete the STS theory exam?

The online theory exam for the STS remote pilot certificate in the special category can be taken no earlier than 7 days after you register. This gives you ample time to study and work through the online training, submit all required documents to us, and we will review them in accordance with the guidelines of the Federal Aviation Authority.

Is there a deadline by which the online exam must be taken?

Once you have received your login credentials for the Aviationexam platform, you must take the STS online exam within the next 6 months.

Can the STS license exam be retaken if it is not passed?

Yes, the STS online exam can be retaken after a short waiting period (7 days) in order to obtain the certificate. Additional information on retakes can be found in the exam guidelines.

How does a candidate obtain the STS remote pilot certificate?

Exams that are successfully passed are submitted directly to the Federal Aviation Authority (LBA). The STS remote pilot certificate is issued by the LBA.

How long is the STS drone pilot license valid?

The STS drone license (officially: EU STS Remote Pilot Certificate) is valid for 5 years. After that, you can easily renew it by completing an STS refresher course.

What happens if you fail the exam?

If you fail the exam, we can provide you, upon request, with detailed feedback on the questions you answered incorrectly, which will allow you to prepare specifically for the retake. By law, you may not retake the exam until 7 days have passed.

Does the online exam comply with data protection regulations?

Yes, the online exam complies with the highest data protection standards. All personal data is stored and processed securely, and all exam procedures are designed in accordance with applicable data protection guidelines.

Does the theory exam have to be taken on a specific date?

No, the online exam is available at any time. You can take the exam flexibly and on your own schedule within the time window from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

What needs to be prepared in advance for the exam?

For the online exam, you should choose a quiet, undisturbed location. A 360-degree room scan is required before the exam, and you should ensure that your PC or laptop, including the microphone and webcam, is working properly.

In addition, the Google Chrome browser and the Proctorio extension must be installed before the exam. This extension is available in German and English and adapts to the browser’s language settings.

Can the online training be used even without taking the exam?

Our Droniq Academy STS e-learning course is offered only in conjunction with the exam, so that you can prepare thoroughly for the STS remote pilot certificate exam.

Does the STS remote pilot certificate also include the A2 certificate and the A1/A3 proficiency certificate?

Yes and no. Anyone who successfully passes the theory exam for the STS remote pilot certificate automatically receives the A2 remote pilot certificate as well (provided one has not already been issued). For holders of a valid A2 remote pilot certificate, the A2 remote pilot certificate is extended for an additional 5 years. The A1/A3 proficiency certificate is not included. It must be obtained beforehand and is the minimum requirement for admission to the exam to obtain an STS remote pilot certificate. However, an existing A1/A3 proficiency certificate will also be extended by 5 years upon issuance of an STS remote pilot certificate.

The reason: The STS theory exam covers all theoretical content of these certificates. Thus, the STS certificate not only authorizes operation in the special category (standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02) but also includes all rights from the open category (A1, A2, and A3).

Do I need to take an additional practical exam to get the STS drone license?

Yes, if flight operations in the specific category are to be conducted according to standard scenarios (STS-01 and/or STS-02) using C5 or C6 UAS. In this case, passing the theory exam alone is not sufficient. The prerequisite for taking the practical exam is passing the theory exam for the STS remote pilot certificate. Afterward, the practical exam can be taken, which requires not only additional theoretical knowledge from the Operations Manual (OM) but also a practical demonstration proving the ability to operate the drone safely. This exam includes, among other things, the preparation, execution, and follow-up of flights according to the standard scenarios (STS-01 and STS-02). Only after successful completion and issuance of the STS accreditation (practical STS license), along with the designated Operations Manual, may flight operations in the special category according to standard scenarios (STS-01 and/or STS-02) commence.

Can the STS online training be used even without taking the exam?

Droniq Academy's STS online course is offered only in conjunction with the exam, so that you can prepare thoroughly for the theory exam for the STS remote pilot certificate.

More questions? Answers!

Please contact us with any questions or concerns.