How long does it take the FAA to review medical records?

In the best case, they may issue you a certificate. Frequently, the review and submission process can repeat itself for several iterations. The process generally takes up to six months, but we have heard from a number of pilots who have spent more than a year stuck in the review and submission loop.



In 2026, the timeline for the FAA to review medical records for a pilot's certificate can be quite lengthy, often ranging from 6 weeks to 4 months for complex cases. If your medical application is "deferred" by your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) because of a pre-existing condition (like a heart issue or a history of certain medications), it is sent to the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City. The primary delay is caused by the FAA's reliance on manual scanning of paper records and a shortage of reviewing physicians. If the FAA requests "additional information," you can expect an average of 100 days to be added to the total processing time. To expedite this, pilots are urged to work with their AME before the exam to ensure every required document is submitted digitally in the initial "Special Issuance" packet. Once the records are scanned into the system, "First and Second-Class" medicals are generally prioritized over "Third-Class" private pilot applications.

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Unless otherwise directed by the FAA, the Examiner must deny or defer if the applicant has a history of: (1) Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medication; (2) Angina pectoris; (3) Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant; (4) Myocardial ...

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If a request for special issuance certification is denied by the FAA, the only recourse available to the applicant is to later make another request for special issuance status to the FAA, supported by evidence showing sustained medical stability or improvement.

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“Serious injury means any injury which: (1) Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date of the injury was received; (2) results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose); (3) causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage; (4) ...

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Yes. Section 67.409 under 14 CFR sets forth the appeal process within the FAA for applicants who are denied medical certification.

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Yes. Section 67.409 under 14 CFR sets forth the appeal process within the FAA for applicants who are denied medical certification.

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Due to airline and federal requirements, job applicants ordinarily go through a unique federal 10-year background investigation. During this investigation, they will look at a job applicant's criminal background including felonies, misdemeanours, and DUI convictions.

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If you have been denied a medical because of a disqualifying medical condition and are caught flying, the penalty will probably be revocation of all your airman certificates and ratings.

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In general, having a history of depression, anxiety, or any mental health condition does not necessarily disqualify someone from becoming a pilot. However, it will depend on the severity and duration of the condition, as well as the treatment that was received.

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However, certain medical conditions such as a psychosis, bipolar disorder and some types of personality disorder automatically disqualify a pilot from obtaining an FAA medical certificate. Former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson addressed pilot mental health at the University of North Dakota Mental Health Summit.

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Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots. Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

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