Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners

Current revision date - November 24, 2021

The Guide provides pertinent information and guidance needed to perform the duties and responsibilities of an Aviation Medical Examiner.

NOTE: Updates to the AME Guide are posted on the last Wednesday of each month, usually before 9:00 a.m. CT. For specific dates, see the 2021 update schedule. Refer to the Archives (PDF) document for a description of changes posted each month.

AME ALERT

• CACI WORKSHEET WORDING CHANGE: If a pilot was previously on an SI/AASI and is now CACI qualified, check the updated CACI choice "Has current OR previous SI/AASI but now CACI qualified" (second box at the bottom of the CACI worksheet), so we can make the required coding changes on our end.
• SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS: There are a large number of reports that cross in the mail, increasing the letters you and your pilots receive. To avoid this, if you (or the pilot) are sending reports, ANNOTATE THIS IN BLOCK 60 and mail the reports WITHIN 14 DAYS.

Methods to navigate through the Guide

• FAA Form 8500-8; Application Process and Examination Techniques
  • General Information
  • Applicant History (Items 1-20)
  • Examination Techniques (Items 21-58)
  • Application Review (Items 59-64)
• Aeromedical Decision Considerations
  • Aerospace Medical Dispositions
  • CACI Certification Worksheets
  • Disease Protocols
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Special Issuances
  • Substances of Dependence/Abuse
  • Synopsis of Medical Standards

Resources

• AMCS Technical Support (PDF)
• Download, Print, or View the Complete AME Guide (PDF) (best viewed using Google Chrome)
• Archives and Updates - Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners (PDF)
• Designee Management Policy - FAA Order 8000.95A (PDF)
• Glossary
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) - The International Standards on Personnel Licensing are contained in Annex 1 - Personnel Licensing to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The FAA maintains an updated, hard copy of all the ICAO Annexes and also an on-line subscription. The FAA makes copies of Annex 1 available at seminars and can provide Examiners access upon request.
• Locate an Office
  • Regional and Center Medical Offices
  • Flight Standards District Offices
• 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 67 Medical Standards and Certification
• Student Pilot Rule Change (PDF)
• Listing of HIMS AMEs and HIMS Independent Medical Sponsors: MS Word, PDF