FAA Medical Certificates

For How Long are they Valid?

Updated Dec 2013

• Class 1 (6 - 12 months)

  
  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.



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• 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.



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• 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.

Bythe 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.

Who must hold an FAA Medical Certificate?

Any person acting as pilot-in-command or other required crewmember of an aircraft (except for free balloons, gliders, and ultralights) must hold a current and appropriate medical certificate. This includes student pilots in solo flight as well as private, commercial, and airline pilots. What about Sport Pilots?