Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a medical certificate as “acceptable evidence of physical fitness on a form prescribed by the Administrator.”  The primary goal of the airman medical certification program is to protect not only those who would exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate but also air travelers and the general public.  A person who meets FAA airmen medical standards, based on a medical examination and an evaluation of medical history, is entitled to a medical certificate without restriction or limitation other than the prescribed limitation as to its duration.  Individuals required to hold a medical certificate must have it in their personal possession at all times when exercising the privileges for which they are licensed.

2. How do I obtain a medical certificate?

An FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) must examine you. You must contact an AME of your choosing (for a listing see http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov), schedule an appointment, complete an official FAA application form, and undergo physical examination. If you meet the appropriate medical standards, the AME will issue you a medical certificate.

3. Who must hold a Medical Certificate?

Any person exercising the privileges of any of the following certificates: airline transport pilot certificate, commercial pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command if serving as a required pilot flight crewmember), flight engineer certificate, flight navigator certificate, or student pilot certificate. Except for a person employed by the FAA, a branch of the military services or the Coast Guard, a person acting as an air traffic control tower operator also must hold a medical certificate.

4. What class of medical certificate must I hold and how long is it valid?

• A first-class airman medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate. A first-class airman medical certificate is valid for 6 months plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination.
• A second-class airman medical certificate is required for commercial, non-airline duties (e.g., for crop dusters, corporate pilots) and is valid for 1 year plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination. Those exercising the privileges of a flight engineer certificate, a flight navigator certificate, or acting as air traffic control tower operator must hold a second-class airman medical certificate.
• A third-class airman medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate, or a student pilot certificate. A third-class airman medical certificate is valid for 3 years plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination for pilots under age 40 or for 2 years plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination for those pilots age 40 and over.

5. What medical standards must I meet in order to qualify for a medical certificate?

The medical standards for each class of medical certificate are set forth in 14 CFR Part 67, which can be viewed at http://www.cami.jccbi.gov/aam-300/part67.html

6. What medical conditions does the FAA consider disqualifying?

The following conditions are listed in the regulations as disqualifying medical conditions; however, in many cases when the condition is adequately controlled, the FAA will issue medical certification contingent on periodic reports.

1. Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications
2. Angina pectoris
3. Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant
4. Myocardial infarction
5. Cardiac valve replacement
6. Permanent cardiac pacemaker
7. Heart replacement
8. Psychosis
9. Bipolar disease
10. Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts
11. Substance dependence
12. Substance abuse
13. Epilepsy
14. Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause
15. Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory explanation of cause.

Other conditions not specifically listed in the regulations are also disqualifying. For further information refer to the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners at http://www.faa.gov/avr/aam/Game/Version_2/03amemanual/Home/HOME.htm

7. What are the minimum and maximum ages for obtaining a medical certificate?

There are no minimum or maximum ages for obtaining a medical certificate. Any applicant who is able to pass the exam may be issued a medical certificate.

However, since 16 years is the minimum age for a student pilot certificate, people under 16 are unlikely to have practical use for an airman medical certificate.

8. Can I get my student pilot certificate at the same time I take my initial flight physical?

Yes. Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) are authorized to issue combination Airman Medical and Student Pilot certificates to appropriate applicants. To obtain this combination certificate, the applicant must meet the medical standards, be at least 16 years old, and be able to read, speak, and understand the English language.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The combined medical / student pilot certificate will not be valid for flight duties until properly endorsed by the student's instructor.

9. What does it cost to get a medical certificate?

The FAA does not set fees for the performance of the medical exam and issuance of the medical certificate. Aviation Medical Examiners are allowed to charge the applicant appropriately, as long as it is not more than the usual fee for similar examinations for other purposes. If you are concerned about the cost of the exam, please discuss this with the doctor you are thinking about seeing. The FAA has no additional fees above what the physician charges.

10. Am I prohibited from exercising the privileges of my pilot certificate during medical deficiency?

Yes. You are prohibited from acting as pilot-in-command or as a required pilot flight crewmember during any medical deficiency that would be disqualifying or may interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft.

(See 14 CFR §61.53 at http://www.faa.gov/avr/aam/Game/Version_2/03amemanual/WEB/61.53.htm )

A simple problem such as a cold, a broken arm, or an abscessed tooth may require nothing more than the appropriate treatment and a little time before you can safely return to the skies. A more complicated problem or the development or change of a chronic illness may necessitate consultation with an AME or the FAA before resuming flying. New medical conditions do not need to be reported to the FAA until you wish to return to flying.

11. I have some medical problems and would like to learn whether I can be issued airman medical certification. Where can I get further information?

There are several sources for information regarding medical conditions and airman medical certification.

1. Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs): There are over 5000 physicians around the globe who are FAA-designated AMEs. AMEs are authorized to receive applications, to perform physical examinations and to issue airman medical certificates. A list of FAA-designated medical examiners may be seen at http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov



2. FAA, Aerospace Medical Certification Division:


Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300
Federal Aviation Administration
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 954-4821
3. FAA, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners http://www.faa.gov/avr/aam/Game/Version_2/03amemanual/Home/HOME.htm



4. FAA, Regional Flight Surgeons: A list of RFS offices can be viewed at http://www.cami.jccbi.gov/aam-300/rfs.html



5. Pilot organizations: Two of the largest pilot organizations are the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) at (800) 236-4800 and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) at (800) 872-2672.

12. Is a pilot required to report to the FAA that he or she has undergone LASIK or other laser eye surgery to correct vision?

LASIK and other forms of vision corrective surgery have potentially adverse effects that could be incompatible with flying duties. These include:

• Corneal scarring or opacities;
• Worsening or variability of vision;
• Night-glare; and
• Haziness of vision.

The FAA expects that a pilot will not resume piloting aircraft until his or her own treating health care professional determines:

• The post operative condition has stabilized;
• There have been no significant adverse effects or complications; and
• The person meets the appropriate FAA vision standards.

If these determinations are favorable and if otherwise qualified, the pilot may immediately resume piloting but must ensure that:

• The treating health care professional documents his or her determinations in the pilot's health care treatment record;
• A copy of that record is immediately forwarded to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City; and
• A personal copy is retained.

The airman may continue flight duties unless informed otherwise by the FAA or another disqualifying condition occurs.

Yes. Section 67.409 under 14 CFR sets forth the appeal process within the FAA for applicants who are denied medical certification.

http://www.faa.gov/avr/aam/Game/Version_2/03amemanual/Appendix%20A.htm#Sec67_409

Within 30 days after the date of the denial, you may apply for reconsideration to:

Federal Air Surgeon
Attention: Manager, Aeromedical Certification Division, AAM-300
Federal Aviation Administration
P.O. Box 26080
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73126

14. How does the appeal process work?

In our letters denying airmen medical certification, we inform applicants that they have the right to appeal. An applicant whose medical certification is denied by an AME may request reconsideration of the decision by the Manager, FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD) or an FAA Regional Flight Surgeon (RFS). If the AME simply defers issuance of a certificate, the AMCD or the RFS, as appropriate, automatically will review the application and inform the applicant of the decision. If the AMCD or the RFS deny an applicant based on a medical condition that is specifically disqualifying as set forth under Part 67, the denial is final and may be appealed to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). If the AMCD or the RFS deny an applicant based on a medical condition that is not specifically disqualifying then the applicant may appeal to the Federal Air Surgeon (FAS). An unfavorable decision by the FAS may be appealed to the NTSB.

As appropriate, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will schedule and conduct a hearing on the question of the applicant’s eligibility for certification. If the ALJ’s decision is unacceptable to the applicant or the FAA, the matter may be appealed to the full board. If the full board affirms the denial of certification, the applicant may seek review by a U.S. Court of Appeals. From an adverse decision by a Court of Appeals, the applicant may ask for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

15. How can I contact the FAA about my medical?

You can call or write:

Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300
Federal Aviation Administration
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 954-4821

You can also call the Regional Flight Surgeons' offices. Please see http://www.cami.jccbi.gov/aam-300/rfs.html

16. What do I do if I hold a foreign medical certificate or endorsement and I want to exercise pilot privileges in the United States?

You must have the validity of the foreign license and medical certificate or endorsement you hold verified by the Civil Aviation Authority that issued those certificates.

The FAA has devised a form entitled “Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification” (available at http://registry.faa.gov/docs/verify61-75.pdf). You must submit this information, along with a copy of the license you wish to have verified to: Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760, PO BOX 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082. You may fax it to (405) 954-9922.

For more detailed information you should review the information available on the FAA website at http://registry.faa.gov/airmen.asp#verify and http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=bjN5XT*g&p_lva=&p_faqid=76

17. I lost my medical certificate; how can I obtain a copy?

Section 61.29 describes the process for replacement certificates at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5becf6452c927c40ce857f38b32dcd2e&rgn=div8&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.2.1.1.19&idno=14

You should submit AC Form 8060-56 (http://registry.faa.gov/docs/8060-56.pdf)

FAA
Medical Certification Branch, AAM-334
Post Office Box 25082
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125

You must include a check or money order for $2.00 made payable to the FAA.

The FAA Civil Aviation Registry can fax you a record of your certificate that is valid for 60 days, more than enough time to receive your replacement copy. To receive this fax, call 405-954-3261, select option #1 to reach the Airmen Registry, then option #0 to speak with an examiner. When requesting the fax, be sure to state that you want a record of your medical certificate. Procedures for replacing lost certificates are described at http://registry.faa.gov/airmen.asp#ReplacementofCertificates