1.1 Exam Facts, Format, Pass Mark & Validity

The Qualification in One View

The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is the UK remote-pilot competency certificate used for Near People (A2) operations in the Open category. “Near People” is the current name introduced for A2 from 1 January 2026. The certificate does not turn an aircraft into an A2-eligible aircraft and does not authorise operations outside the Open category. The remote pilot must still use an eligible class-marked or legacy aircraft, remain in VLOS, comply with height and airspace restrictions, avoid intentional overflight of uninvolved people, and maintain the applicable horizontal separation.

The Civil Aviation Authority approves assessment organisations to deliver the additional examination and issue the certificate. The CAA’s current A2 page refers to these organisations as Recognised Assessment Entities for Remote Pilot Competency, RAE(PC)s. Use the CAA’s current approved-provider list when booking. A provider’s own website is not proof that its approval is current.

Exact Examination Logistics

The official acceptable means of compliance for UAS.OPEN.030(2)(c) specifies the examination conditions:

On a 30-question paper, 75% is 22.5, so the candidate needs at least 23 correct answers when every question carries the same mark. A score of 22/30 is not rounded up. The rule says at least 30 questions, so a provider may use more, but the official test duration remains 75 minutes unless the recognised additional-time provision applies.

The theory examination is not open internet research and not a take-home workbook. “Online” describes a delivery method; it does not change the closed-book condition. Prepare to retrieve rules, principles, and decisions without searching notes.

The Three Official Syllabus Domains

The additional examination assesses technical and operational ground-risk knowledge across three named subjects.

1. Meteorology

This is broader than reading a wind number. It includes obtaining and interpreting weather information, weather reports and forecasts, local assessment, wind around buildings and terrain, temperature and precipitation, icing, visibility, clouds and cumulonimbus hazards, and the water-ingress meaning of IP43.

2. UAS flight performance

This includes the operating envelopes of rotorcraft, fixed-wing, and hybrid aircraft; basic principles of flight; operating guides; normal and emergency procedures; maintenance and safe-to-fly decisions; mass, balance, centre of gravity and payload; and battery terminology, types, use, charging, hazards, and storage.

3. Technical and operational mitigations for ground risk

This includes VLOS and collision avoidance, operating and decision principles, customer pressure, occurrence reporting and investigation, planning in congested areas, people and crowd risk, pilot fitness and fatigue, low-speed mode, evaluating distance, technical and operational controls, and the 1:1 rule.

Air-law context is taught because these mitigations only make sense inside lawful A2 operations, but the exam’s additional syllabus is not a general manned-aviation ground school.

Ordered Route to the Certificate

UAS.OPEN.030 places the steps in order:

1. Complete the online foundation training and examination associated with the Flyer ID.
2. Complete self-practical training in Far from People (A3) operating conditions.
3. Provide the written practical declaration and supporting flight-log evidence required by the applicable AMC.
4. Sit and pass the additional A2 theory examination.

The practical phase is self-directed, but it is not imaginary or optional. It is where the pilot demonstrates basic control, planning, normal procedures, and responses to abnormal situations using a representative aircraft in a low-risk environment.

Validity and Revalidation

The A2 CofC is valid for five years. UAS.OPEN.070 distinguishes two moments:

• Before expiry, revalidation may be achieved through the current route for demonstrating competencies or completing refresher training.
• After expiry, the remote pilot must again comply with the current competency-demonstration requirements before relying on A2 privileges.

Do not assume automatic renewal, and do not rely on an old provider’s marketing page for the route that will apply years later. Check the current CAA and approved-provider process well before the expiry date.

Fees, Age, and Jurisdiction

The CAA does not publish one national A2 examination fee. Approved providers set their own prices, course bundles, and commercial terms. Compare the current approved list and confirm what is included; do not memorise an unofficial market-price band as an exam fact.

The CAA A2 page states no minimum age for the qualification, while separate operator-registration rules can still require an adult to act as the registered operator. The UK A2 CofC is a UK national certificate. It is not automatically an EASA A2 certificate, a General VLOS Certificate, an Operational Authorisation, or a BVLOS permission.

Exam-Ready Scenarios

Score calculation. A candidate gets 22 of 30 correct. Because 22/30 is 73.3%, the result is a fail. Twenty-three correct is 76.7% and clears a 75% threshold.

Online test assumption. A candidate plans to search the Drone Code during an online sitting. That conflicts with the official closed-book condition. Online delivery does not mean open book.

Expired certificate. A pilot’s A2 CofC expired yesterday. Five years’ past experience does not keep the certificate valid. The pilot must use only privileges supported by current competency documents until the applicable regain route is completed.

Provider choice. A training company advertises an A2 course but is absent from the current CAA approved list. Do not assume its certificate will be valid; verify approval before payment.

Memorise the compact line: closed book, 75 minutes, 30 or more MCQs, 75% pass, five-year certificate. Then attach the three syllabus domains and the ordered practical-before-test pathway.