Application Process for Medical Certification

General Information - Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate and AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI)

1. Special Issuance.
   At his discretion, the Federal Air Surgeon may grant an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization), with a specified validity period, to an applicant who does not meet the established medical standards. The applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of medical certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety for the validity period of the Authorization. The Federal Air Surgeon may authorize a special medical flight test, practical test, or medical evaluation for this purpose.
   
   An airman medical certificate issued under the provisions of an Authorization expires no later than the Authorization expiration date or upon its withdrawal. An airman must again show to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of medical certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety in order to obtain a new airman medical certificate/Authorization under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 67.401.
   
   For more information, visit this page.
   
   Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization).


2. AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI).
   AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI) is a process that provides Examiners the ability to re-issue an airman medical certificate under the provisions of an Authorization to an applicant who has a medical condition that is disqualifying under 14 CFR part 67.

   An FAA physician provides the initial certification decision and grants the Authorization in accordance with 14 CFR § 67.401. The Authorization letter is accompanied by attachments that specify the information that treating physician(s) must provide for the re-issuance determination. Examiners may re-issue an airman medical certificate under the provisions of an Authorization, if the applicant provides the requisite medical information required for determination. Examiners may not issue initial Authorizations. An Examiner's decision or determination is subject to review by the FAA. 
   
   Please note that the Certificate Issuance Coversheet is no longer required when submitting information.

3. Continue Authorization Letter
   
   As of May 2023:
    
   • If the AME issued an AASI correctly, AAM will no longer send a “continue authorization” letter, in accordance with the last paragraph of the authorization letter:
     
     “Please be advised that as long as reports are submitted as outlined in your Authorization letter, certificates are issued correctly, and there have been no changes in your medical condition(s), no further correspondence will be sent from our office.”
   
   
   • AAM will continue to review AASI documents after an AME issues.

   An individual may receive a Continue Authorization Letter when:

   • A third-class interim medical certificate is being issued; OR
   
   
   • If the AME made an error on the medical certificate and AAM needs to send a corrected certificate (e.g., forgot to put time limitation); OR
   
   
   • There was an interim condition where review was required, but no changes to the AASI are needed.