BasicMed Summary: FAA-Issued Medical Required
Common reasons for someone to not qualify to fly under BasicMed can include but are not limited to the following issues:
- You have never held an FAA-issued medical certificate.
- You are required to have had a medical exam by an Aviation Medical Examiner and have been issued at least one FAA-issued medical certificate before you can be eligible to fly under BasicMed.
- You will need to have a medical exam by an Aviation Medical Examiner and obtain an FAA-issued medical certificate before you can be eligible to fly under BasicMed.
- Your most recent FAA-issued medical certificate was not valid after July 14, 2006.
- You are required to have had an FAA-issued medical certificate valid after July 14, 2006, to be eligible to fly under BasicMed.
- You will need to have a medical exam by an Aviation Medical Examiner and obtain a new FAA-issued medical certificate before you can be eligible to fly under BasicMed.
- In 2008, the FAA extended the validity period of medicals for pilots under 40. To help determine your eligibility for BasicMed based on your most recent medical issue date use these guidelines:
- Persons age 40 or over on the date of their FAA examination would meet the BasicMed requirement if their examination was on or after July 15, 2004.
- Persons under age 40 on the date of their FAA examination would meet the BasicMed requirement if their examination was on or after July 15, 2003
- You are not sure of the expiration date of your last FAA-issued medical certificate.
- Your most recent FAA-issued medical certificate was suspended (at any time) or revoked, your most recent FAA medical application was denied, or your most recent authorization for special issuance of your medical certificate was withdrawn.
- You will need to have a medical exam by an Aviation Medical Examiner and obtain a new FAA-issued medical certificate before you can be eligible to fly under BasicMed.
- You were diagnosed with or have had a certain medical event or condition.
- You do not have a current and valid U.S. driver’s license. Canadian or Mexican driver’s licenses do not currently qualify for use under BasicMed Reform.
Before you start the process of obtaining a new FAA-issued medical certificate, especially if you have questions about your eligibility for a first, second, or third class medical certificate, contact the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for information about what you need before seeing an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). We can help you with an overview of the requirements and address any concerns you should be aware of before scheduling your exam with an AME.
Call AOPA's Pilot Information Center at (800)872-2672, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, or email [email protected]. Please identify yourself as someone looking for assistance with FAA medical certification.
Tip: Consider enrolling in AOPA’s Pilot Protection Services program. The program provides access to AOPA’s Legal Services Plan attorneys and medical certification professionals who can evaluate your circumstances to help determine if:
- You are eligible to fly under BasicMed
- Your aircraft is a covered aircraft under BasicMed
- Your intended operations will comply with the flight condition limitations under BasicMed
Remember, just because you are not currently eligible to fly under BasicMed, it does not mean you won’t be able to in the future. Learn more about BasicMed medical reform and the requirements for BasicMed below.