Medical Certificates

The 3 primary types of Medical Certificates are:

  • 1st Class Medical Certificate
  • 2nd Class Medical Certificate
  • 3rd Class Medical Certificate

The requirements to obtain a 1st Class Medical Certificate are more stringent than a 2nd Class Medical Certificate, which is more stringent than a 3rd Class Medical Certificate. Each medical certificate is valid for a specific number of calendar months and are dependent on whether you are older or younger than 40 years of age.

Essentially…

  • A 1st Class Medical Certificate is required for the pilot-in-command (PIC) operating as an airline pilot.
  • A 2nd Class Medical Certificate is required for commercial pilots who do not operate as an airline pilot.
  • A 3rd Class Medical Certificate is required when operating as a Private Pilot, Recreational Pilot or Student Pilot.

  • The standards for each type of Medical Certificate are located in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 67.

  • To apply for a Medical Certificate, you must create an account on the FAA MedXPress website and fill out an application. You will also want to locate an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your area that will perform the exam. You can access both of these and more on the FAA website.