USA Aviation Medical Certificate Requirements

The FAA issues Medical Certificates under Part 61 if the regulations.

First Class Medical: Airline Transport Pilot, valid for 12 months if you are under 40 years old and 6 months for pilots aged 40 and above.

Second Class Medical: Commercial Pilot allowing you to be paid for your services and valid for 12 months

Third Class Medical: Private Pilot, valid for 60 months if you are under 40 and 24 months if you are over 40.

Since 2012, all Medical Certificate applications are run through MEDXPress.

FAA MedXPress is a web application that pilots must use to submit their certification applicant information (Items 1 through 20) of the FAA Form 8500-8. Pilots need only a valid email address to create a MedXPress account to use FAA MedXPress. MedXPress is designed to expedite the processing of a pilot’s request for certification and shorten the pilot’s office visit with the AME.

The FAA has a comprehensive FAQ section for Medical Certification Questions that you can access by clicking the link.

Importantly, the FAA publish a list of disqualifying medical conditions; however they also state that if the condition is adequately controlled, the FAA may issue medical certification contingent on periodic reports.

The disqualifying list includes:

• Angina pectoris
• Bipolar disease
• Cardiac valve replacement
• Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant
• Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications
• Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause
• Epilepsy
• Heart replacement
• Myocardial infarction
• Permanent cardiac pacemaker
• Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts
• Psychosis
• Substance abuse
• Substance dependence
• 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.