There are many questions that are commonly asked about obtaining a FAA medical certificate. The Applying for a FAA medical certificate thread provides a general overview of the process. This page attempts to provide answers to some of the common questions about whether one can obtain a medical certificate given a condition.
Can I get a medical if ...
I don't really have a drinking problem?
If you have to answer yes to question 18 v on Form 8500-8, the FAA considers you to have at least alcohol abuse. There is then simply NO way to obtain a medical certificate to fly unless you are completely abstinent.
The FAA has a table describing how it evaluates applications with a history of issues with alcohol which advises the AME how to proceed. Obtaining a medical certificate with such a history will require participation in a drug monitoring and HIMS program. The FAA provides an overview of the required evaluations.
If I had a drinking problem?
The FAA requires at a minimum documentation of recovery and abstinence. See their overview of the required documents and evaluations.
Critical questions during the evaluation are:
If I just smoke some marijuana occasionally?
Marijuana is a schedule 1 illegal substance per Federal law and you will not be issued a medical certificate if you have used in the last 90 days. Under current law and regulation, it is just necessary to make a choice between being a pilot or using marijuana.
If I have a history of depression?
This depends on exact psychiatric history, whether you still have depressive episodes, and whether you are being treated with medication. One can obtain a medical certificate as a special issuance if one has been or is being treated with 1 of 4 permitted selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There are two possible SSRI pathways for doing so. See SSRI Initial Certification for more details.
If I am taking an anti-depressant?
It is possible to obtain a medical certificate if you are being treated with 1 of 4 permitted SSRIs and the illness is documented as being under control. See SSRI Initial Certification for more details.
If I have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ?
The ability to obtain a medical certificate depends on whether one still has this illness and is being treated for it. If this was a childhood condition which has resolved, it is possible to obtain a medical with some basic evaluation to then obtain an initial special issuance.</p>
If I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disease?
The FAA is presently very reluctant to provide a special issuance medical certificate with any hint of bipolarity. If one has been off medications for 10 years with documented no psychiatric illness, this can be possible.
If I have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide?
The FAA recognizes that suicidality lies on a continuum. From very passive ideation like wondering what it would be like if one were dead to actually making a serious attempt to kill oneself. A special issuance may be possible in some less severe cases and will require documentation of appropriate treatment of the underlying condition which gave rise to suicidality.
Can I get a medical if ...
I don't really have a drinking problem?
If you have to answer yes to question 18 v on Form 8500-8, the FAA considers you to have at least alcohol abuse. There is then simply NO way to obtain a medical certificate to fly unless you are completely abstinent.
The FAA has a table describing how it evaluates applications with a history of issues with alcohol which advises the AME how to proceed. Obtaining a medical certificate with such a history will require participation in a drug monitoring and HIMS program. The FAA provides an overview of the required evaluations.
If I had a drinking problem?
The FAA requires at a minimum documentation of recovery and abstinence. See their overview of the required documents and evaluations.
Critical questions during the evaluation are:
- Number of DUIs? This is as shown on a 10 year DMV search. Was it only 1, or more?
- Were the events 5 or more years ago? Or more recently?
- What was the BAC? Categories are <0.15, <0.18, >=0.2, didn't blow.
| # DUIs | BAC | Timeframe | Intervention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | < 0.15 | > 5 years ago | Can be issued by the AME after investigation if there is no history of alcohol abuse or dependence. |
| < 5 years ago | |||
| 0.15 <= BAC < 0.18 | Requires Chemical Abuse Depenency Counselor evaluation of 5 factors of tolerance, withdrawal, lifestyle centered on use, continued use in the face of bad outcomes, and blackouts. | ||
| 0.18 <= BAC < 0.2 | Requires HIMS evaluation. 6 months negative random urine screens, logged AA attendance and other awareness activities. | ||
| 0.2 < BAC | Considered alcohol dependence. Requires rehabilitation treatment. It will take a long time to obtain a special issuance as well as lifetime monitoring. | ||
| > 2 | Airman must provide personal statement and will be evaluated by FAA for action. |
If I just smoke some marijuana occasionally?
Marijuana is a schedule 1 illegal substance per Federal law and you will not be issued a medical certificate if you have used in the last 90 days. Under current law and regulation, it is just necessary to make a choice between being a pilot or using marijuana.
If I have a history of depression?
This depends on exact psychiatric history, whether you still have depressive episodes, and whether you are being treated with medication. One can obtain a medical certificate as a special issuance if one has been or is being treated with 1 of 4 permitted selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There are two possible SSRI pathways for doing so. See SSRI Initial Certification for more details.
If I am taking an anti-depressant?
It is possible to obtain a medical certificate if you are being treated with 1 of 4 permitted SSRIs and the illness is documented as being under control. See SSRI Initial Certification for more details.
If I have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ?
The ability to obtain a medical certificate depends on whether one still has this illness and is being treated for it. If this was a childhood condition which has resolved, it is possible to obtain a medical with some basic evaluation to then obtain an initial special issuance.</p>
If I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disease?
The FAA is presently very reluctant to provide a special issuance medical certificate with any hint of bipolarity. If one has been off medications for 10 years with documented no psychiatric illness, this can be possible.
If I have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide?
The FAA recognizes that suicidality lies on a continuum. From very passive ideation like wondering what it would be like if one were dead to actually making a serious attempt to kill oneself. A special issuance may be possible in some less severe cases and will require documentation of appropriate treatment of the underlying condition which gave rise to suicidality.
