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For an FAA pilot medical certificate, an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is the clinician with delegated authority to conduct the required examination and issue, defer, or deny the certificate. Your primary-care doctor or treating specialist can advise on your health, treatment, and medication, and provide medical records or reports—but being your treating physician does not authorize them to issue the FAA certificate.
What each doctor can do
| Role | Purpose | Authority and output |
|---|---|---|
| FAA-designated AME | Evaluate an applicant under FAA medical certification standards. | Conducts the FAA medical examination and may issue, defer, or deny a certificate within delegated authority. |
| Primary-care doctor or treating specialist | Provide clinical care, assess health conditions and treatment, and document medical status. | Provides care and relevant clinical notes or reports; does not issue the FAA medical certificate by virtue of being the treating clinician. |
The AME handles the certification examination
The FAA describes an AME as a physician with specific training in performing FAA exams. The examination includes review of the applicant’s medical history and a physical examination, with tests or measurements as applicable. Requirements depend on the examination and the applicant. The FAA delegates authority to AMEs to assess applicants under 14 CFR Part 67 standards. See the FAA overview of getting a medical certificate and the AME examination and its Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners: Authority of Aviation Medical Examiners.
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An AME can issue a certificate when the applicant meets the relevant standard and has the required documentation. If the case needs further review or information, the AME may defer it to the FAA. FAA guidance says only a narrow set of specifically disqualifying conditions may lead an AME to deny an application; a diagnosis does not automatically mean every applicant is disqualified.
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Your treating clinician handles care and medical documentation
Your primary-care doctor or specialist is the right person to discuss diagnosis, treatment, and medication in the context of your health. The FAA also says that reports about an airman’s medical status should be written by the treating provider. Those records can help the AME or FAA assess the certification application, but they are clinical evidence—not an FAA certificate decision. See the FAA’s guidance on AME authority and treating-provider reports.
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Who should I ask about a condition or medication?
Use the clinician whose role matches the question. Ask the treating doctor or specialist about diagnosis, treatment, and whether a medication is appropriate for your care. Ask an FAA-designated AME whether a condition, medication, or specific record meets FAA certification requirements. The FAA recommends that applicants with current or past conditions, or who take medication, review the AME Guide and ask the AME’s office what records to bring.
Coordinate before the examination rather than assuming a routine office visit will produce everything the FAA needs. For some conditions, FAA applicant guidance calls for a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note from a visit with the treating physician or specialist; the note may need to be no more than 90 days old. Check the current condition-specific guidance and ask the AME’s office about the required documents. The FAA’s applicant guidance describes examination preparation and records.
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What does an AME deferral mean?
A deferral is not a denial. It means the AME has sent the case to the FAA for review rather than issuing a certificate at that examination. The FAA may request medical records or additional information and may review the case with physicians who have relevant expertise. Missing or insufficient documentation can delay a decision or contribute to a denial.
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Which medical certificate class do I need?
The appropriate class depends on the flying privileges you intend to exercise, not simply on being a pilot. The FAA describes first-, second-, and third-class certificates; for example, its Guide connects ATP privileges with first-class certification and private-pilot privileges with third-class certification. Confirm the class relevant to your planned duties in the FAA’s classes of medical certificates guidance.
When might a HIMS AME be relevant?
The FAA describes HIMS AMEs as trained to evaluate airmen with substance- or alcohol-related conditions and certain mental conditions. They may provide sponsorship and monitoring when required for certification. HIMS is not necessarily required for everyone with a history in these areas; ask an AME and consult the FAA for the pathway that applies to your circumstances. The FAA’s medical certification page provides information about the program.
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- For care questions: Speak with the clinician treating you about your condition, treatment, or medication.
- For certification questions: Consult an FAA-designated AME and the current FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.
- For a condition, past history, or medication: Ask the AME’s office which records to bring, then request relevant notes or reports from your treating clinician early enough to meet any recency requirement.
- If the AME defers your application: Follow the FAA’s written instructions and submit the requested information; do not treat the deferral as a denial.
- Before applying: Confirm the certificate class associated with the privileges you plan to exercise.
FAA medical guidance can change. The FAA Guide landing page reported a revision date of September 30, 2026, and says updates are posted periodically. Check the current Guide and condition-specific instructions when preparing an application; the process above is general guidance, not an individual eligibility determination. See the FAA Guide landing page.
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