First Class vs Second Class vs Third Class Medical

The FAA issues three classes of medical certificate. The class you need depends on the flying you do, not on how healthy you feel. This guide explains which class fits which job, how long each one lasts, and what happens when a higher class drops to a lower one.

Which class matches your flying

Each class lines up with a set of pilot privileges. Only an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) can issue any of them.

• First class. Needed for airline transport pilot privileges. This is the class airline pilots hold.
• Second class. Needed for commercial pilot privileges. This covers pilots who fly for pay in operations that require a commercial certificate.
• Third class. For private, recreational, and student pilots.

If you plan to fly professionally, many instructors suggest getting a first class medical early. It confirms you can qualify before you spend money on training. Ask your AME about the cost difference, since some offices charge the same for a first class exam as for a lower class.

How long each class lasts

Validity depends on your age and the class you hold.

First class

• 12 months for first class privileges if you are under age 40.
• 6 months for first class privileges if you are age 40 or over.

Second class

• 12 months for second class privileges.

Third class

• 60 months if you are under age 40.
• 24 months if you are age 40 or over.

The month you take the exam counts. The FAA measures validity from the end of the month the certificate is issued, so check the dates printed on your certificate and confirm the current rule in the FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.

What happens when a higher class expires

A first class certificate does not vanish when its first class time runs out. It drops to second or third class privileges as time passes. This is why an airline pilot can keep flying on the same certificate while waiting for the next exam.

A common example: a first class certificate issued before age 40 is valid for 12 months as first class. After that it can serve as a lower class for the rest of its life. The exact timing depends on your age and the class you need, so ask your AME to walk through your dates.

The medical standards behind each class

The higher the class, the stricter the standards. Here is what the FAA requires for all classes:

• Blood pressure: 155/95 or lower.
• Near vision: 20/40 at 16 inches.
• Color vision: you must be able to tell the colors needed to do your job safely.
• Hearing: pass a conversational voice test at 6 feet with your back turned, or an approved hearing test.

Distant vision standards differ by class:

• First and second class: 20/20 or better in each eye, with or without correction.
• Third class: 20/40, with or without correction.

First class exams also bring extra steps. Many first class exams for pilots age 35 and over need an ECG at age 35 and then each year after age 40.

What to bring and how to prepare

Before the exam, fill out FAA Form 8500-8 online in MedXPress and bring the confirmation number. The MedXPress application stays valid for 60 days. Answer every question truthfully. A false answer is a federal offense.

Bring your glasses or contacts, a list of your medicines, and any records your AME asks for. If you have a condition like sleep apnea, ADHD history, or antidepressant use, call the office first. Some cases can be handled on the spot with a Conditions AMEs Can Issue (CACI) worksheet. Others need a Special Issuance guide review. Our post on what to expect at your exam covers the visit step by step.

If the AME cannot issue

An AME can deny or defer your case. A deferral sends your file to the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City or to a Regional Flight Surgeon. Reviews can take weeks or months, so plan ahead if you have a known condition.

Special Issuance under 14 CFR 67.401 lets the FAA grant a certificate with a condition that does not meet the standard. AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI) lets an AME reissue under set rules. Ask your AME which path fits your situation.

Choosing a class and an examiner

Pick the class that matches the flying you actually do. A student pilot usually needs a third class. A pilot building hours toward a commercial job needs a second class. A pilot headed to the airlines needs a first class.

Fees are set by each AME, so prices vary by city and class. Call the office for the current price before you book. To compare examiners, read how we rank AMEs and use our tool to find an AME near you. You can also browse by state, including Aviation Medical Examiners in California, Aviation Medical Examiners in Texas, and Aviation Medical Examiners in Florida.

If you are a private pilot who may not need a current medical, read our comparison of BasicMed vs third class. For a side by side look at the classes, see FAA medical classes explained.

Key takeaways

• First class is for airline transport pilot privileges, second class is for commercial pilot privileges, and third class is for private, recreational, and student pilots.
• First class lasts 12 months under age 40 and 6 months at age 40 and over. Second class lasts 12 months. Third class lasts 60 months under age 40 and 24 months at age 40 and over.
• A first class certificate drops to second or third class privileges as time passes, so one exam can cover more than one stage of your career.
• Fill out MedXPress before the exam and bring the confirmation number. The application stays valid for 60 days.
• AMEs set their own fees. Call the office for the current price, and confirm any rule changes with the FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners or your AME.