FAA MedXPress: How to Fill Out Your Application

Every pilot who needs an FAA medical certificate starts in the same place: FAA Form 8500-8, filled out online in MedXPress. The form looks simple, but small mistakes can slow your certificate down or send your file to the FAA for review. This guide walks you through the form step by step, with practical tips to get it right the first time.

What MedXPress Is and Why It Matters

MedXPress is the FAA's web tool for submitting the applicant portion of Form 8500-8, Items 1 through 20. You go to medxpress.faa.gov, log in or create an account, complete the form, and submit it. You then bring the confirmation number to your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) at your exam.

Your AME fills in the rest of the form based on the exam. Only an FAA-designated AME can issue a medical certificate, so the application and the exam work together. The form is your chance to report your history accurately. Answering falsely is a federal offense.

One timing rule matters most: your MedXPress application stays valid for 60 days. If your exam does not happen within that window, the application is deleted and you start over. Submit the form when you are ready to book the exam, not months ahead.

Before You Start: Gather Your Records

Most errors come from guessing. Pull your records first so every answer is exact.

A list of all visits in the last 3 years to a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, psychologist, clinical social worker, or substance abuse specialist. Include dates and addresses.
Medication names, doses, and the condition each one treats.
Dates of any surgeries, hospital stays, or past FAA deferrals.
Your eye prescription and hearing aid details, if you use them.
Your prior medical certificate dates, if you have held one.

If you are not sure about a date, call the office and ask. A close, honest answer beats a made-up one. If you truly cannot recall a detail, say so to your AME before you submit.

Step by Step Through the Form

Create your account and log in

Go to medxpress.faa.gov and create an account if you do not have one. Use an email you check often. Your confirmation number and any updates go there.

Fill in Items 1 through 20

Work through the form in order. Take your time on these sections:

Identification. Match your name to your government ID exactly. A middle name left off here can cause paperwork problems later.
Certificate class. Pick the class you need. First class is for airline transport pilot privileges, second class for commercial, and third class for private, recreational, and student pilots. If you are unsure which one fits your goal, read our guide to FAA medical classes explained.
Medical history. Answer every question. Do not skip items because you think they are minor. The FAA compares your answers with other records.
Visits and providers. List the visits from your records, with dates and addresses.
Medications. List every prescription and over-the-counter medicine you take regularly.

Review before you submit

Read the whole form once more before you hit submit. Check dates, spelling, and medication doses. Fixing an error before submission is easy. Fixing it after can mean a call to your AME and a delay.

Save your confirmation number

After you submit, MedXPress gives you a confirmation number. Save it and bring it to your exam. Your AME needs it to pull up your application.

Common Mistakes That Cause Delays

These are the errors that most often slow pilots down.

Submitting too early. The 60 day clock starts at submission. If you submit and then wait two months for an appointment, your application is gone.
Leaving out a visit or medication. The form asks for all visits in the last 3 years to a broad list of providers. List them all, even the ones that seem unrelated.
Guessing on mental health or ADHD history. ADHD history and ADHD medicine often need extra review, sometimes with neuropsychological testing. Do not leave these off. Report them and talk to your AME about what to expect.
Not mentioning sleep apnea treatment. Obstructive sleep apnea can be certified when it is treated, for example with CPAP and compliance reports. Bring your compliance data.
Forgetting vision and hearing details. Distant vision must be 20/20 or better in each eye for first and second class, and 20/40 for third class, with or without correction. Near vision must be 20/40 at 16 inches for all classes. Note your correction on the form.

If you have a condition that may need extra review, read our Special Issuance guide before your exam. Some conditions can be issued on the spot through Conditions AMEs Can Issue (CACI) worksheets. Others go to the FAA.

After You Submit: Exam Day and Beyond

Book your exam so it falls well inside the 60 day window. Bring your confirmation number, your glasses or contacts, your hearing aids if you use them, and a list of your medications.

At the exam, your AME reviews your answers, checks your blood pressure (it must be 155/95 or lower for all classes), and tests your vision and hearing. Hearing can be checked with a conversational voice test at 6 feet with your back turned, or an approved hearing test. Many first-class exams for pilots age 35 and over need an ECG at age 35 and then each year after age 40. For a full walkthrough, see what to expect at your exam.

If the AME cannot issue, they can deny or defer. A deferral sends your file to the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City or a Regional Flight Surgeon. Reviews can take weeks or months, so plan ahead if you have a known condition.

If You Need to Fix Something

If you spot an error after submission, call your AME's office before your exam. They can tell you how to handle it. Do not submit a second application to "fix" the first one without asking. Two open applications can create confusion.

If your application expires before your exam, you simply fill out a new one. Nothing is lost except your time.

Rules and forms can change. Check the FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners or ask your AME when you are unsure. For help choosing a doctor, use the FAA Designee Locator or find an AME near you through our directory. You can also browse AMEs by state, such as Aviation Medical Examiners in California or Aviation Medical Examiners in Texas, and read how we rank AMEs.

Key takeaways

Fill out FAA Form 8500-8 in MedXPress at medxpress.faa.gov and bring the confirmation number to your exam.
Your application stays valid for 60 days. Submit it close to your appointment date.
Gather your visit history, medications, and prior certificate dates before you start. Exact answers beat guesses.
Report mental health, ADHD, sleep apnea, and medication history honestly. Answering falsely is a federal offense.
If you are unsure about a rule or a form item, check the FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners or ask your AME.

Common questions

Does the FAA MedXPress expire?

Yes. Your MedXPress application stays valid for 60 days from the date you submit it. If your exam is more than 60 days away, wait to submit. If it expires, you must fill out a new application and get a new confirmation number before your appointment.

How do I check my FAA medical?

You can check your medical certificate status through the FAA. Ask your AME for an update after the exam. If your file was deferred, you can contact the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City. Confirm current status options with the FAA.

How much does it cost to get a FAA medical certificate?

AMEs set their own fees, so prices vary by city and class. The FAA does not set the price. Call the AME office before you book to ask for the current fee. First class exams often cost more because they may include an ECG.

Which is the hardest FAA written exam?

This post is about the medical application, not written tests. The FAA medical exam is not a written test. It is a health exam with Form 8500-8. For questions about knowledge tests, check FAA materials or ask a flight instructor.

This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. FAA rules change. Check the FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners or ask your AME about your own case. Read our editorial policy.