How to Hire a Drone Sprayer: A 5-Step Checklist

By Ag Drone Sprayers Editorial Team · Updated June 23, 2026

Drone spraying has gone mainstream fast — today’s machines carry roughly 26-gallon tanks with RTK guidance (GPS accurate to within half an inch), so more farmers than ever get timely, low-drift coverage without waiting on a plane or rutting up a wet field. Hiring one is straightforward once you know what to check. Because it’s regulated work — FAA aviation rules plus state pesticide law — the credentials matter as much as the price. Here’s a quick checklist to hire with confidence.

The 5-step checklist

1. 1

   Confirm FAA Part 137 certification

   Any operator spraying crop-protection products for hire needs an FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator certificate (plus a Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and a Section 44807 exemption for drones over 55 lbs). Ask to see it, or look for the verified badge on the operator's profile.

2. 2

   Check the state pesticide applicator license

   Applying pesticides commercially requires a license from your state's Department of Agriculture, separate from the FAA rules. Confirm the operator holds the right category for your application.

3. 3

   Compare per-acre quotes and coverage

   Get quotes from a few operators who cover your area. Row-crop spraying typically runs $12–$18 per acre and specialty crops $18–$35. Compare what's included (product, passes, minimums), not just the headline rate.

4. 4

   Verify insurance and service area

   Make sure the operator carries liability insurance and that your fields are genuinely within their service area — coverage gaps and travel fees can change the math.

5. 5

   Book the application window

   Drone spraying is timing-sensitive (fungicide at the right growth stage, weather windows). Book ahead of your spray window and confirm how quickly the operator can mobilize.

Why the credentials matter

A legitimate operator isn’t just licensed to fly — they’re licensed to apply pesticides. The FAA side (Part 137 / Part 107 / §44807) covers the aircraft and pilot; the state pesticide license covers the chemical application. You want both. Every listing on Ag Drone Sprayers is cross-checked against FAA and state records, so you can compare operators by the credentials we’ve confirmed — see how we do it on our about page.