Local Aviation Medical Examiners

A Third-class medical certificate is required for Private Pilots and for Student Pilots prior to solo. The regulations are a bit complex for when First- and Second-A First-class medical certificate are required, but in general First-class certificates are required for Part 121 (scheduled Airline) operations. Second-class certificates are generally required for commercial operations not requiring an ATP certificate. Many Part 135 (non-scheduled Air Charter and Air Taxi) and business Part 91 operators require first-class certificates even though the FAR’s may not.

Third-class certificates are valid for 60 calendar months after the month of the exam for pilots under age 40. For pilots 40 and over, the certificate is valid for 24 calendar months after the month of the exam.

Second-class certificates are valid for 12 calendar months and then become Third-class certificates for the next 12 months or 48 months, depending on the pilot’s age.

First class certificates are valid for 12 calendar months under age 40 and 6 calendar months at age 40 and above. For pilots over 40, they become Second-class certificates for an additional 6 calendar months, and then become Third-class certificates for another 12 calendar months. For pilots under 40 it works the same way except the Third-class privileges last an additional 48 calendar months.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is required for certain First-class certificates.

Only Senior Aviation Medical Examiners can provide First-class certificates.

See the FAA’s medical certification site https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification for further information.