BasicMed vs Third Class Medical: Side by Side

BasicMed and a third-class medical both let you fly as a private pilot, but they work in very different ways. One is an FAA certificate issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). The other is a set of rules that lets you fly using your own doctor and an online course. This post puts them side by side and helps you decide which one fits your flying.

What a Third Class Medical Is

A third-class medical is an FAA airman medical certificate. Only an FAA-designated AME can issue it. It covers private, recreational, and student pilot privileges.

The exam follows FAA standards. The AME checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, and reviews your medical history. You fill out FAA Form 8500-8 in MedXPress before the visit and bring the confirmation number. That application stays valid for 60 days. Answering falsely on it is a federal offense.

Your AME sets the fee. Prices vary by city and class, so call the office for the current price. Our guide to FAA medical classes explained covers the full set of standards.

How long a third-class medical lasts

• Under age 40: valid for 60 months.
• Age 40 and over: valid for 24 months.

What BasicMed Is

BasicMed is an alternative for some private pilots. It does not use an AME and it is not an FAA medical certificate. It has three parts:

1. You must have held a valid FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006.
2. You take an approved online medical course every 24 months.
3. You get an exam from any state-licensed physician every 48 months using the FAA Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist.

If you have never held an FAA medical certificate, BasicMed is not open to you. You would start with a third-class medical.

The operating limits

Under BasicMed you must fly:

• Below 18,000 feet MSL.
• At 250 knots or less.
• Not for compensation or hire.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 raised the aircraft and passenger limits. Check the current FAA BasicMed page for the numbers that apply now.

Side by Side: The Main Differences

Who does the exam. A third-class medical comes from an AME who applies FAA standards. BasicMed comes from any state-licensed physician using the FAA checklist.

How often you renew. Third class runs 60 or 24 months depending on age. BasicMed needs the online course every 24 months and the doctor visit every 48 months.

What rules apply. A third-class medical must meet FAA standards. If it does not, the AME may deny or defer. BasicMed relies on your physician's exam and your own reporting.

Where you can fly. A third-class medical has no BasicMed altitude or speed caps. BasicMed does.

Cost. Both vary. AME fees depend on the office and city. A physician visit and online course have their own prices. Call ahead and ask.

When a Third Class Medical Makes More Sense

Pick a third-class medical if any of these apply to you:

• You have never held an FAA medical certificate.
• You fly above 18,000 feet MSL or faster than 250 knots.
• You want the widest set of privileges a private pilot can hold.
• You plan to add a higher class later, such as a second-class for commercial work.
• You want an AME who knows FAA rules to review your health history.

If you have a condition that needs extra review, an AME can walk you through it. Some conditions can be issued on the spot using CACI worksheets. Others may need a deferral to the FAA, which can take weeks or months. See our Special Issuance guide for how that process works.

When BasicMed Makes More Sense

BasicMed can be a good fit if:

• You already held a valid FAA medical certificate after July 14, 2006.
• You fly only as a private pilot, below 18,000 feet and at 250 knots or less.
• You like using your own doctor, who already knows your history.
• You want to avoid the AME visit schedule.

Keep in mind that you still must be safe to fly. If a condition would ground you under FAA rules, it should ground you under BasicMed too. When in doubt, ask your physician and check the FAA guidance.

Questions Pilots Ask Most

Can I instruct under BasicMed?

This depends on how the flight is conducted and paid. The rules on compensation and hire are specific. Confirm with the FAA or your counsel before you instruct under BasicMed.

Can I fly IFR under BasicMed?

BasicMed is about your medical qualification, not your ratings. Instrument privileges come from your pilot certificate and currency. Check the current FAA BasicMed page for any limits.

How long is a second-class medical good for over 40?

A second-class medical is valid for 12 months. A first-class medical is valid for 12 months under age 40 and 6 months at age 40 and over for first-class privileges. A first-class certificate drops to second or third class privileges as time passes.

What if my medical is deferred?

The AME sends the file to the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City or a Regional Flight Surgeon. Reviews can take weeks or months. Plan ahead if you have a trip or a checkride coming.

How to Get Started

For a third-class medical, book with an AME. You can find an AME near you, or browse by state, such as Aviation Medical Examiners in California, Aviation Medical Examiners in Texas, or Aviation Medical Examiners in Florida. Read what to expect at your exam before you go, and learn how we rank AMEs so you know what the listings mean.

For BasicMed, confirm you held a valid FAA medical certificate after July 14, 2006. Then take the approved online course and book the checklist exam with your physician. Check the FAA BasicMed page and the FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, since rules can change. Our BasicMed vs third class post has more detail on the tradeoffs.

Either path can work well. The right one depends on where and how you fly, and on your medical history. Confirm the current rules with the FAA or your AME before you book.

Key takeaways

• A third-class medical is an FAA certificate from an AME. BasicMed is an alternative using your own physician and an online course.
• Third class is valid 60 months under age 40 and 24 months at age 40 and over. BasicMed needs an online course every 24 months and a physician exam every 48 months.
• BasicMed requires that you held a valid FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006.
• BasicMed flights must stay below 18,000 feet MSL, at 250 knots or less, and not for compensation or hire. Check the FAA page for current aircraft and passenger limits.
• If you fly higher or faster, or have never held an FAA medical, a third-class medical is likely the better fit.