Important information about the impact COVID-19 on the enforcement of expiring medical certificates
Recent events regarding the COVID pandemic have led to significant access problems to Aviation Medical Examiners and other medical specialists. In response, the FAA has issued a comprehensive policy via the Federal Register that covers COVID-related regulatory relief. This Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR 118-1) grants relief to medical certificate privileges that expire from March 31, 2020 through September 30, 2020. This relief extends medical certificates for a maximum of three (3) calendar months. The SFAR does not modify the requirements of §61.53 regarding prohibition on operations during medical deficiency. The specific language for the SFAR can be found at the Federal Register.
If you are able, we continue to encourage airmen to accomplish their regularly required airman medical certificate exam with an FAA AME.
The Office of Aerospace Medicine will publish any updated or new, approved medical certificate alternatives and/or certificate extensions as soon as those processes are approved and available.
If you have been asked to provide additional medical information and your treating physician or other clinician is unable to assist at the current time due to COVID, we can provide a one-time extension upon your request.
We continue to work with senior leadership and subject matter experts within the FAA and the Department of Transportation to craft interim medical certificate solutions during the COVID pandemic. Thank you for continuing to assist our airman.
Medical Certificates
- Contact the Aerospace Medical Certification Division
- How to obtain a Medical Certificate
- FAA MedXPress (online FAA Form 8500-8 application)
- Pilot Information - Over-the-Counter Medications
- Questions and Answers
- Request a Copy of Your Medical Certificate
- Locate an AME
- Locate a HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) AME: MS Word, PDF
HIMS AMEs are trained in evaluating airmen for substance- or alcohol-related conditions or other mental conditions. HIMS AMEs can provide sponsorship and monitoring for such conditions when required by the FAA for medical certification purposes.
Aviation Medical Examiners
- Aviation Medical Examiner Home Page
- Aerospace Medical Certification Subsystem (AMCS) Online Support
- Aviation Medical Examiner Training
- Federal Air Surgeon's Medical Bulletin
- Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
- Regional Flight Surgeon Contact Information
- When Your Pilots Use MedXPress …