An aviation medical examination is a determination of an applicant’s medical status based on an evaluation of the applicant’s medical records, an aviation medical examination, and medical tests.

Requirements

• Applicants for and holders of a Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL) must have at least an LAPL-class medical certificate;
• Applicants for and holders of a private pilot license (PPL), a sailplane pilot license (SPL), or a balloon pilot license (BPL) must have at least a Class 2 medical certificate;
• Applicants for and holders of a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Multi-Pilot License (MPL), or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) must hold at least a Class 1 medical certificate;
• A flight student must have the medical certificate required to obtain the appropriate license.

A Class 1 medical certificate includes the rights and privileges associated with Class 2 and LAPL medical certificates. A Class 2 medical certificate includes the rights and privileges associated with an LAPL medical certificate.

Applicants for a medical certificate must submit the following documents to an aviation medical center or an aviation medical examiner:

• identification document;
• a signed statement;
• The previous medical certificate when extending or renewing a medical certificate.

Validity of the Health Certificate 

The validity of the medical certificate is determined by the applicant's age on the date of the medical examination.

Class 1 – Commercial air transport in single-pilot aircraft
up to age 40 – 12 months
age 40 and older – 6 months

Class 1 – Other Commercial Activities
Up to age 60 – 12 months
Age 60 and older – 6 months

Class 2
up to age 40 – 60 months (valid until the 42nd birthday)
ages 40–49 – 24 months (valid until the 51st birthday)
age 50 and older – 12 months

LAPL Class
up to age 40 – 60 months (valid until the 42nd birthday)
age 40 and older – 24 months

Deterioration of health

License holders may not, under any circumstances, exercise the rights associated with their license if they:

• are aware of any deterioration in their health that might prevent them from acting safely within the scope of the rights specified;
• administer or use any prescription or over-the-counter medication that may interfere with their ability to perform their duties safely within the scope of the rights granted by the relevant license;
• receive any medical, surgical, or other treatment that may affect their ability to exercise the rights associated with the license.

Holders of a medical certificate must seek aeromedical advice immediately and before exercising the privileges associated with the certificate if:

• they have undergone surgery or an invasive procedure;
• they have started taking any medication on a regular basis;
• they have suffered any significant injury that results in an inability to exercise the rights associated with the license;
• they have had any significant illness that prevents them from exercising the rights associated with the permit;
• they are pregnant;
• they have been admitted to a hospital or clinic for inpatient treatment;
• They need corrective lenses for the first time.

Holders of medical certificates must consult an aviation medical center or an aviation physician for advice if their health status changes.

An aviation medical center or an aviation physician assesses the health status of the medical certificate holder and determines whether the holder may continue to operate within the scope of their privileges.

Information about health examination providers can be found on the Transport Administration’s website: Health Examination Providers