FAA Medical Requirements

To begin the process of applying for a FAA (3rd class) medical, start with https://medxpress.faa.gov/medxpress

The application takes a while as it will ask many health questions. Save the application number as you will need it to present to your choice of an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). They will retrieve your previously loaded data upon your visit and begin the exam.

This section is designed to be a basic interpretation of the FAA regulations.

The general requirements to obtain a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate are as follows:

Eyes -

• Distant and near vision of 20/40 or better in each eye with or without corrective lenses.
• No eye conditions that are aggrevated by flying.
• No significant colorblindness.

Ear, Nose, Throat and Equilibrium -

• You must be able to hear and understand normal voice conversation at a distance of six feet utilizing both ears.
• You must be able to hear a range of tones to acceptable levels.
• Have no disease or condition that affects your ability to communicate or affects your equilibrium.

Mental -

• Have no medical history or diagnosis of psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of this condition.
• Not be diagnosed with bi-polar syndrome.
• No illegal substance dependencies.
• No substance abuse within the proceeding two years.

Cardiovascular -

• Some cardiovascular conditions are disqualifying. This is a complicated subject for consultation with an AME.

Other General Medical Conditions:

• No uncontrolled diabetes that requres insulin injections.
• Any condition or diagnosis that affects safe flight operations.