Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners

Current revision date – October 26, 2022

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 2022 update schedule. Refer to the Archives (PDF) document for a description of changes posted each month.

AME ALERT

NEW GUIDANCE

• Novavax Covid-19 vaccine added as allowed with 48-hour post-dose observation
• Covid-19 Infections Disposition Table revised to include long Covid
• Item 36. Heart, Arrhythmias - 1st Degree AV Block consideration criteria revised by PR intervals (under 300 ms and 300 ms or more)

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

• Formal HIMS cases (this refers ONLY to pilots who fly for an airline with a HIMS Chairman) must be submitted to Washington, D.C. via Huddle AND have an accompanying HIMS Data Sheet.
• No formal HIMS cases will be accepted in paper format after January 1, 2023.
• Airline HIMS Chairs will be advised of any HIMS AME not in compliance at that time.
• HIMS AMEs who are not yet Huddle capable should contact 9-AAM-HIMS@faa.gov for training. DO NOT SEND FILES TO THE ABOVE EMAIL.
• Send ALL OTHER Drug and Alcohol cases to AMCD at the address indicated on the HIMS-Trained AME Checklist. No Data Sheet needed.

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 8000.95B
• 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
• Pilot Information – Current Detailed Clinical Progress Note
• Student Pilot Rule Change (PDF)
• Listing of HIMS AMEs and HIMS Independent Medical Sponsors: MS Word, PDF