FAA Certified Medical Examination
To obtain a medical certificate you must be examined by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), or meet the criteria for BasicMed.
Use MedXpress to complete the initial portion of the application. Schedule an appointment with the AME of your choosing. A full listing of AMEs can be found on the FAA website.
At your scheduled appointment, the AME will complete your medical examination and the remainder of the FAA application form. If you meet the required medical standards, the AME will issue you a medical certificate.
FAA Medical Certificates – How Long are they Valid?
Who must hold an FAA Medical Certificate?
Class 1 (6 – 12 months)
Any person acting as pilot-in-command or other required crewmember of an aircraft (except for free balloons, gliders, ultralights, or those eligible for BasicMed*) must hold a current and appropriate medical certificate. This includes student pilots in solo flight as well as private, commercial, and airline pilots.
*BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. Visit the FAA website for details.
A first-class airman medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate.
BY THE BOOK: A FIRST-CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS VALID FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MONTH OF ISSUE; PLUS:
6 calendar months for operations requiring a first-class medical certificate if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or 12-calendar months for operations requiring a first-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination, or
Reverting From 1st To Lower Class:
12 calendar months for operations requiring a second-class medical certificate, or
24 calendar months for operations requiring a third-class medical certificate if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or
60 calendar months for operations requiring a third-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination.
Class 2 (12 months)
A second-class airman medical certificate is required for commercial, non-airline duties (e.g., for crop dusters, corporate pilots). 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.
BY THE BOOK: A SECOND-CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS VALID FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MONTH OF ISSUE; PLUS:
12 calendar months for operations requiring a second-class medical certificate, or
REVERTING FROM 2ND TO LOWER CLASS:
24 calendar months for operations requiring a third-class medical certificate, if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or
60 calendar months for operations requiring a third-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination.
Class 3 (24-60 months)
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.
BY THE BOOK: A THIRD-CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS VALID FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MONTH OF ISSUE; PLUS:
24 calendar months for operations requiring a third-class medical certificate, if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or
60 calendar months for operations requiring a third-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination.
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