CAAM & Regulations
RCoC-AL is CAAM’s 2026 drone pilot certification for farmers and private agricultural operators. It lets you fly spraying and crop-management drones on your own land, without the full commercial operator pathway. So if you are a FELDA settler, paddy farmer, oil palm smallholder, or estate operator who wants to self-operate a sprayer, the RCoC-AL is designed for you. However, one distinction confuses many applicants: the RCoC-AL does not authorise you to provide drone spraying services commercially on other people’s land. So this guide explains what RCoC-AL covers, how it differs from the commercial Module 2 route, and how to get certified.
Key Takeaways
- RCoC-AL is for private agricultural drone operations on your own land, not for commercial drone spraying services provided to others.
- Commercial drone spraying providers must hold RCoC-B plus Module 2 (AGR) plus a UAWC. The RCoC-AL does not replace any of these for commercial work.
- Training takes place at a CAAM-approved RPTO and covers basic piloting competency plus the agricultural dispensation (spraying) module.
- An ATF permit is still required for every RCoC-AL flight. The certificate does not exempt you from permit requirements.
What Is RCoC-AL?
RCoC-AL stands for Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency, Agriculture Light. CAAM introduced this category in 2026 for the private agricultural operator segment. It is aimed at farmers, smallholders, and estate operators who want to run drones on their own land as a farm management tool rather than a commercial service.
In practice, the RCoC-AL combines basic drone piloting competency with agricultural dispensation training. Together these cover the knowledge and practical skills needed to operate spray drones safely on farm terrain. It sits below the full commercial pathway in both scope and prerequisites, which makes it more accessible for farm operators who do not need the full commercial compliance stack.
The Most Important Distinction: RCoC-AL vs Module 2 (AGR)
This is the question that causes the most confusion, and getting it wrong carries serious compliance consequences.
RCoC-AL, for private farm operators
RCoC-AL lets you operate a drone sprayer on your own registered agricultural land, for your own crop management. In detail:
- Who it suits: paddy farmers in MADA or KADA schemes, FELDA settlers, rubber smallholders, oil palm smallholders, and orchard operators managing their own land
- What it allows: self-operated drone spraying, mapping, and crop monitoring on your own plots
- What it does not allow: providing drone spraying services to neighbouring farms or other landowners for payment
Module 2 (AGR), for commercial service providers
Module 2 is the add-on endorsement to RCoC-B required for pilots operating commercially. That means providing drone spraying to clients on other people’s land for payment. In addition, the company employing or contracting that pilot must hold a UAWC (Unmanned Aerial Work Certificate) from CAAM.
So the difference is not about skill level. It is about commercial intent and regulatory scope.
| RCoC-AL | RCoC-B + Module 2 (AGR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Operate on own land | Yes | Yes |
| Provide commercial spraying services | No | Yes |
| Company UAWC required | Not applicable | Yes |
| ATF permit required | Yes (every flight) | Yes |
| Insurance required | Yes | Yes |
| Target user | Farmer / smallholder | Commercial operator |
If you are a FELDA settler or MADA paddy farmer who wants to self-operate on your own plot, RCoC-AL is the right pathway. If you want to offer drone spraying as a service to other farmers, you need the full commercial route.
Training Requirements
Basic prerequisites
- Minimum age of 18
- Able to read and communicate in English and Bahasa Malaysia
- Medically fit for drone operation
- No prior drone flying experience required
Training programme
RCoC-AL training takes place at a CAAM-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). The programme has two components.
Basic competency module: air law, drone systems knowledge, meteorology, safety procedures, and VLOS operational procedures. This is the same foundational content as the RCoC-B Basic module.
Agricultural dispensation module: chemical handling safety, low-altitude manoeuvring over crops, nozzle calibration, spray coverage verification, emergency procedures for chemical payloads, and agricultural flight pattern planning.
You must complete both the theory examination and the practical flight assessment at the RPTO. The RPTO then submits your results to CAAM, and CAAM issues the RCoC-AL certificate. Confirm the current pass mark and assessment requirements with your RPTO, since CAAM sets these and they can change.
Where to train
Only CAAM-approved RPTOs can deliver RCoC-AL training. Always check that your chosen provider appears on CAAM’s current approved RPTO list at caam.gov.my before you enrol and pay. The list updates periodically, so a provider approved six months ago may not hold current approval.
Duration and cost
RCoC-AL training typically runs 3 to 5 days. Fees vary by RPTO, so treat any figure as indicative and confirm the current price directly. Some RPTOs charge examination fees separately, so ask for the full inclusive cost before enrolling.
ATF Permit: Still Required With RCoC-AL
However, a common misunderstanding is that the RCoC-AL certificate authorises flights automatically. It does not. Every agricultural drone flight still needs an Authorisation to Fly (ATF), including private farm operations under RCoC-AL. Submit it to CAAM at least 14 working days before the operation.
For private farm operators, the ATF application uses the standard Agricultural ATF form, submitted to drone.agr@caam.gov.my. The application covers your plot location, planned dates, and the drone system you intend to operate.
In fact, this requirement applies whether you are a commercial or a private farm operator. Under the current 2026 framework, there is no blanket exemption for small plots or low-risk agricultural operations. However, the UAS-TMS (ClearPath) system, once fully operational, is expected to introduce instant digital clearance for low-risk operations in unrestricted airspace. Confirm the current position with CAAM before you plan around it.
Insurance Requirement
Agricultural drone operations, even private farm ones, require public liability insurance covering drone use. Beyond that, aviation chemical liability cover is advisable for any operation involving pesticide or herbicide spraying, since standard public liability policies typically exclude chemical-related incidents.
Confirm with your insurer that your policy specifically covers:
- UAV or drone operations
- Agricultural chemical dispensation
- Third-party property damage and bodily injury
RCoC-AL vs Government Subsidised Training
Several government agencies offer subsidised or fully funded agricultural drone training for eligible farmers, some of which leads to RCoC-AL certification.
RISDA: provides drone training for rubber and oil palm smallholders under mechanisation programmes. Eligible RISDA scheme members may access subsidised RCoC-AL training through their district office.
FELDA: agricultural services training includes drone operation for eligible settlers. Contact your FELDA field officer about current availability in your scheme.
MADA: supports paddy farmers in the Muda scheme with mechanisation training, including drone certification for agricultural spraying.
DOA Malaysia: runs precision agriculture training for registered farmers, including subsidised drone certification pathways.
Contact the relevant agency directly to check current availability and eligibility before you pay full RPTO course fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my RCoC-AL to spray my neighbour’s farm for money?
No. RCoC-AL authorises private agricultural operations on your own registered land only. Providing drone spraying to other landowners for payment requires RCoC-B plus Module 2 (AGR). Your operating company must also hold a UAWC from CAAM. Operating commercially without these is a breach of CAAM’s commercial UAS regulations, whatever RCoC-AL you hold.
Is RCoC-AL the same as RCoC-B plus Module 2?
No, they serve different purposes. RCoC-AL is a lighter certification for private farm operators. RCoC-B plus Module 2 (AGR) is the commercial certification required for pilots working for drone spraying companies. Therefore, the two are not interchangeable. So if you intend to offer commercial services, enrol for the RCoC-B plus Module 2 route instead. It takes longer and costs more, but it is the only pathway that legally permits commercial agricultural drone work.
Do I still need an ATF permit if I have RCoC-AL?
Yes. The ATF permit is required for every agricultural drone flight, commercial or private, including operations under RCoC-AL. The certification demonstrates your competency, while the ATF authorises a specific flight at a specific location on specific dates. You need both. Apply to CAAM at least 14 working days before your planned spray date.
How long is RCoC-AL valid?
CAAM sets the validity period, and RCoC certifications have carried a two-year term. However, confirm both the current validity length and its start date with CAAM or your RPTO, since the reference point affects how you time your training against your first planned season.
Conclusion
RCoC-AL gives farmers, smallholders, and private estate operators a clear, accessible route to self-operate agricultural drones on their own land, without the full commercial compliance stack that drone service companies carry.
The key is knowing exactly what it covers: private farm operations on your own land, with ATF permits still required for every flight. If you want to offer drone spraying commercially to other farms, RCoC-AL is not the right certification. Instead, you need the full RCoC-B plus Module 2 plus UAWC commercial pathway.
Across Peninsula Malaysia, LangiTech Aerial holds that full compliance stack, covering RCoC-B plus Module 2 and a UAWC, and manages ATF applications as standard for every deployment.
For full certification guidance, read our RCoC drone pilot Malaysia guide and our drone permit Malaysia requirements guide.
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