FAA Medical Certificate Requirements: Class 1, 2 & 3 Guide (2026)

Your FAA medical certificate expires before your next flight — now what? For a line captain holding a Class 1, that's a hard ground stop. For a weekend pilot flying a Cessna 172, BasicMed might have you back in the left seat with a visit to your family doctor. The path depends on your certificate class and what 14 CFR Part 67 actually demands. Here's exactly what each class requires.

Which FAA Medical Certificate Class Do You Actually Need?

The FAA issues three medical certificate classes, each mapped directly to the privileges of your FAA pilot certificate type. Holding the wrong class — or letting one lapse — is one of the most common compliance failures in flight departments.

Class	Who Needs It	Duration (Under 40)	Duration (40+)
Class 1	ATP certificate holders; Part 121 airline operations	12 months	6 months
Class 2	Commercial pilots; Part 135 charter, CFIs exercising commercial privileges	12 months	12 months
Class 3	Private, recreational, and student pilots; instrument currency	60 months	24 months

A valid Class 1 also satisfies Class 2 and Class 3 requirements for their respective validity periods. And if you operate under Part 91 vs. Part 135, your required class differs — a detail that catches Part 135 operators off guard more than it should. BasicMed is a separate pathway that eliminates the AME requirement for eligible private pilots — more on that below.

The AME Exam: What Gets Tested — and What Gets You Grounded

Every FAA medical certificate starts with MedXPress. Complete FAA Form 8500-8 online at medxpress.faa.gov before your appointment. The AME pulls your form electronically, conducts the evaluation, and issues the certificate on the spot if you meet standards. Don't skip it — walking in without it cancels the appointment.

Finding an AME is straightforward: use the FAA AME Locator at faa.gov, search by ZIP, and filter by class authorization. Book with a Class 1–authorized AME if that's what you need — not all AMEs hold authorization for every class.

Vision Standards That Actually Vary by Class

Class 1 gets demanding here. Standards below are drawn directly from 14 CFR Part 67, Subparts B, C, and D.

Standard	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Distant acuity	20/20 each eye	20/20 each eye	20/40 each eye
Near acuity	20/40 each eye	20/40 each eye	20/40 each eye
Intermediate acuity	20/40 each eye (age 50+)	20/40 each eye (age 50+)	Not required
Color vision	Distinguish aviation signal colors	Same	Same
Hearing	Conversational voice at 6 ft	Same	Same

Corrective lenses are permitted — the standard applies with correction. Color vision deficiencies aren't automatic disqualifiers; alternative testing or an operational limitation may apply.

Common Disqualifying Conditions — and the Special Issuance Path

Certain conditions trigger automatic disqualification under Part 67: cardiac history (MI, angina, coronary artery disease), insulin-dependent diabetes, bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance dependence, and specified seizure histories are the most common. But "disqualifying on paper" rarely means "grounded forever."

"Many pilots self-ground unnecessarily. Get a proper evaluation before assuming your condition ends your certificate."

BasicMed: The Smart Alternative Many Private Pilots Overlook

BasicMed, established under 14 CFR Part 68, lets eligible private pilots bypass the AME entirely. Held a valid medical certificate after July 14, 2006? You may qualify. The operating restrictions are real — but workable for most general aviation flying.

Eligibility requirements: fly under Part 61 and Part 91 only, carry no more than 6 occupants, operate at or below 18,000 ft MSL, stay at or below 250 knots. No commercial operations. Your most recent medical application cannot have been denied, revoked, or suspended.

The process is two steps. Complete the AOPA Pilot Protection Services online medical course every 24 calendar months. Then schedule a comprehensive medical exam with any state-licensed physician, who completes the CMEC every 48 calendar months. Both documents belong in your logbook alongside your driver's license.

Flight departments tracking crew documentation need to know which pilots hold BasicMed versus a traditional certificate — it directly affects compliance records and assignment eligibility. This ties into how you verify pilot credentials during hiring and recurrent audits. A BasicMed CMEC isn't non-compliance — but you must confirm the pilot's operating limitations match the assignment before dispatch.

If you're working toward your first certificate, our guide on how to get a student pilot certificate covers the medical requirement at that stage. Student pilots need a valid medical — or BasicMed — before solo flight. That surprises more new trainees than it should.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an FAA medical certificate last?

Class 1: 12 months under 40, 6 months at 40 or older for ATP operations. Class 2: 12 months regardless of age. Class 3: 60 months under 40, 24 months at 40 or older.

Can a disqualifying medical condition be waived?

Often, yes. The FAA Special Issuance Authorization process covers conditions that are disqualifying on paper but manageable in practice — controlled diabetes, certain cardiac histories, and some mental health conditions among them. Consult an AME or aviation medical specialist before assuming the worst. The outcome depends heavily on the specific condition and how well it's controlled.

What is MedXPress and how do I use it?

MedXPress is the FAA's web portal for completing Form 8500-8 prior to your AME appointment. Fill it out at medxpress.faa.gov, note your confirmation number, and bring it to the exam. Your AME retrieves the form electronically, evaluates you against Part 67 standards, and issues the certificate on the spot if you qualify.

Do I need a medical certificate to exercise student pilot privileges?

Yes — a student pilot must hold at least a third-class medical certificate, or qualify under BasicMed, before flying solo. Our guide on getting a student pilot certificate covers this requirement in full.

Does a Class 1 medical also serve as a Class 2 or Class 3?

Yes, while current for those respective privilege periods. A valid Class 1 satisfies Class 2 requirements for 12 months and Class 3 requirements for 60 months (24 months if age 40 or older) from the date of exam — even after it no longer qualifies for ATP operations.

Bookmark flycertify.com as your go-to resource for credential tracking, currency checks, and aviation compliance guidance — so you're never caught off guard at dispatch or during an audit.