The FAA requires a drone pilot to have a certificate if the pilot receives any form of compensation for the drone flight. Compensation includes money and non-monetary rewards such as benefits, discounts, freebies, or in-kind services. If a drone pilot receives anything of any value, directly or indirectly, for providing drone flying services this is considered compensation. Being compensated for commercial drone flying requires the pilot to have an FAA certificate.

So any picture that is placed on the MLS falls under the FAA definition of compensation!

Any commercial flight of a drone, when the pilot receives anything of any value for the flight, requires the pilot to have a remote pilot’s certificate issued by the FAA.

The civil penalties for flying a commercial rig without first obtaining a remote pilot’s certificate from the FAA are up to $32,666 for each incidence.

The FAA may also impose criminal sanctions, which include a fine of up to $250,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to three years upon conviction.

So if you are a real estate agent that takes your own drone photography make sure you are licensed.  Cause otherwise it could put your livelihood at risk!