Which regulatory agency oversees the certification of remote pilots in the U.S.?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing and certifying remote pilots in the United States. This includes the establishment of guidelines and standards for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones.

The FAA is tasked with ensuring safe and efficient use of the national airspace and has developed a specific set of rules and requirements for remote pilot certification. This includes the Remote Pilot Certificate that individuals must obtain in order to operate small UAS for commercial purposes. The FAA also conducts testing and provides educational resources to prepare pilots for safe flight operations.

The other agencies mentioned are not primarily focused on aviation safety or the certification of pilots. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates transportation-related incidents but does not regulate pilots; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) handles national security and law enforcement matters, and the Department of Defense (DOD) is focused on military operations and does not oversee civilian UAS operations.