SYNOPSIS OF MEDICAL STANDARDS
(Updated 12/28/2022)
Applies to SPECIFIC Class of Medical Certificate
First-Class
Airline Transport Pilot
Second-Class
Commercial Pilot
Third-Class
Private Pilot
DISTANT VISION
20/20 or better in each eye
separately, with or
without correction.
Same as First Class
20/40 or better in each eye
separately, with or without
correction.
INTERMEDIATE VISION
20/40 or better in each eye
separately (Snellen
equivalent), with or without
correction at age 50 and over,
as measured at 32 inches.
Same as First Class
No requirement.
ELECTRO-CARDIOGRAM
(ECG)
At age 35 and
annually after age 40
Not routinely required.
Not routinely required.
Applies to ALL CLASSES of Medical Certificate
NEAR VISION
20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction, as
measured at 16 inches.
COLOR VISION
Ability to perceive those colors necessary for safe performance of airman duties.
HEARING
Demonstrate hearing of an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears
at 6 feet, with the back turned to the AME OR pass one of the audiometric tests below.
AUDIOLOGY
Audiometric speech discrimination test: Score at least 70% reception in one ear at an
intensity of no greater than 65 dB. Pure tone audiometric test. Unaided, with thresholds
no worse than listed below:
Sound Levels
Ear Condition 500 Hz 1,000 Hz 2,000 Hz 3,000 Hz
Better Ear 35 dB 30 dB 30 dB 40 dB
Worst Ear
35 dB 50 dB 50 dB 60 dB
ENT
No ear disease or condition manifested by, or that may reasonably be expected to be
maintained by, vertigo or a disturbance of speech or equilibrium.
PULSE
Not disqualifying per se. Used to determine cardiac system status and responsiveness.
BLOOD PRESSURE
No specified values stated in the standards. The current guideline maximum value is
155/95.
MENTAL
No diagnosis of psychosis, or bipolar disorder, or severe personality disorders.
SUBSTANCE
DEPENDENCE AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
A diagnosis or medical history of "substance dependence" is disqualifying unless there is
established clinical evidence, satisfactory to the Federal Air Surgeon, of recovery,
including sustained total abstinence from the substance(s) for not less than the
preceding 2 years. A history of "substance abuse" within the preceding 2 years is
disqualifying. "Substance" includes alcohol and other drugs (i.e., PCP, sedatives and
hypnotics, anxiolytics, marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, hallucinogens, and
other psychoactive drugs or chemicals).
DISQUALIFYING
CONDITIONS
Unless otherwise directed by the FAA, the AME must deny or defer if the applicant has a
history of: (1) Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medication; (2) Angina pectoris;
(3) Coronary heart disease (CHD) that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been
symptomatic or clinically significant; (4) Myocardial infarction; (5) Cardiac valve
replacement; (6) Permanent cardiac pacemaker; (7) Heart replacement; (8) Psychosis;
(9) Bipolar disorder; (10) Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly
manifested itself by overt acts; (11) Substance dependence; (12) Substance abuse; (13)
Epilepsy; (14) Disturbance of consciousness and without satisfactory explanation of
cause, and (15) Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without
satisfactory explanation of cause.
NOTE: For further information on Medical Standards, contact your Regional Flight Surgeon.
