Top Flight SurgeonsAviation Medical Examiner Directory

Best Aviation Medical Examiners in California (2026)

The 10 highest ranked AME offices in California, picked from 28 offices we reviewed across 4 metro areas.

Updated How we rankFree for pilots

This page lists the top Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) in California for 2026. The list is based on Google ratings and reviews. It is not a ranking from the FAA. Only an FAA-designated AME can issue an FAA medical certificate. You can also use the FAA Designee Locator to find AMEs.

Pilots in California can use this statewide list to compare AMEs across cities. We also have city pages for Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), San Jose (SJC), and Sacramento (SMF). Each city page shows local AMEs and details. Always call the office to confirm the price and availability before you book.

AMEs by city in California

Los Angeles 7 ranked

Best AMEs near Los Angeles and LAX

San Diego 9 ranked

Best AMEs near San Diego and SAN

San Jose 5 ranked

Best AMEs near San Jose and SJC

Sacramento 7 ranked

Best AMEs near Sacramento and SMF

Top 10 AMEs in California

  1. 1

    Wingman Med

    Aviation-focused practiceOccupational medical physicianSan Diego area

    Wingman Med in San Diego is aviation focused and has a 5.0 Google rating from 69 reviews.

    5.0 Google rating (69 reviews)
    4295 Gesner St #3a2, San Diego, CA 92117
    5.8 mi from downtownOpen 5 weekdays
    Call (619) 320-5511WebsiteDirections
  2. 2

    J. Kraig Katzenmeyer, M.D.

    Call to confirm AME statusFamily practice physicianSacramento area

    J. Kraig Katzenmeyer, M.D. in Davis has a 5.0 Google rating from 229 reviews.

    5.0 Google rating (229 reviews)
    2035 Lyndell Terrace Ste 120, Davis, CA 95616
    14.9 mi from downtownOpen 5 weekdays
    Call (530) 750-5999WebsiteDirections
  3. 3

    Tiffany Davies, MD, a SignatureMD Physician

    Call to confirm AME statusDoctorSan Jose area

    Tiffany Davies, MD, a SignatureMD Physician in Los Gatos has a 5.0 Google rating from 9 reviews.

    5.0 Google rating (9 reviews)
    360 Dardanelli Ln. Ste 2E, Los Gatos, CA 95032
    6.8 mi from downtownOpen 5 weekdays
    Call (408) 378-1101WebsiteDirections
  4. 4

    Prachi A. Karnik, MD - Sharp Rees-Stealy Downtown

    Call to confirm AME statusInternistSan Diego area

    Prachi A. Karnik, MD at Sharp Rees-Stealy Downtown in San Diego has a 4.8 Google rating from 197 reviews.

    4.8 Google rating (197 reviews)
    300 Fir St Fl 3, San Diego, CA 92101
    0.7 mi from downtownOpen 5 weekdays
    Call (858) 499-2703WebsiteDirections
  5. 5

    Jeffrey H. Dysart, MD - Genesee Medical Group

    Call to confirm AME statusFamily practice physicianSan Diego area

    Jeffrey H. Dysart, MD at Genesee Medical Group in San Diego has a 4.2 Google rating from 17 reviews.

    4.2 Google rating (17 reviews)
    3880 Murphy Canyon Rd Ste 120, San Diego, CA 92123
    7.3 mi from downtown
    Call (858) 268-1111WebsiteDirections
  6. 6

    Dr. Jean F. Luong, MD

    Call to confirm AME statusInternistSan Jose area

    Dr. Jean F. Luong, MD in San Jose has a 4.3 Google rating from 11 reviews.

    4.3 Google rating (11 reviews)
    295 O'Connor Dr # A, San Jose, CA 95128
    3.1 mi from downtown
    Call (408) 279-8171Directions
  7. 7

    TeamCME- Jeeo Health Center

    Call to confirm AME statusPhysical examination centerSacramento area

    TeamCME at Jeeo Health Center in Sacramento has a 4.3 Google rating from 6 reviews.

    4.3 Google rating (6 reviews)
    2628 El Camino Ave c-1, Sacramento, CA 95821
    5.5 mi from downtownOpen 5 weekdays
    Call (916) 550-0350WebsiteDirections
  8. 8

    Elite Primary Physicians, Inc

    Call to confirm AME statusFamily practice physicianLos Angeles area

    Elite Primary Physicians, Inc in Anaheim has a 4.8 Google rating from 39 reviews.

    4.8 Google rating (39 reviews)
    200 N Harbor Blvd #100, Anaheim, CA 92805
    23.8 mi from downtownOpen 5 weekdays
    Call (714) 533-7021WebsiteDirections
  9. 9

    Allen Priest, MD

    Call to confirm AME statusInternistSacramento area

    Allen Priest, MD in Fair Oaks has a 4.2 Google rating from 20 reviews.

    4.2 Google rating (20 reviews)
    6600 Mercy Ct #210, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
    11.5 mi from downtownOpen 4 weekdays
    Call (916) 967-8201WebsiteDirections
  10. 10

    Vance Donald A MD

    Call to confirm AME statusEmergency care physicianSan Diego area

    Vance Donald A MD in Bonita has a 5.0 Google rating from 7 reviews.

    5.0 Google rating (7 reviews)
    4201 Sweetwater Rd, Bonita, CA 91902
    7.8 mi from downtown
    Call (619) 479-9325Directions

Getting an FAA medical in California

How do I find an AME in California?

You can use this list or the FAA Designee Locator. The FAA locator shows all AMEs by city or zip code. Call the office to confirm they do exams for your class and ask about the price. AMEs set their own fees, so prices vary by city and class.

What should I bring to my FAA medical exam in California?

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. Also bring your glasses or contacts if you use them, and a list of your medicines. Answering falsely on the form is a federal offense.

What if my AME cannot issue my certificate?

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. Ask the AME office what to expect and what steps come next.

Can I fly without a medical certificate in California?

Some private pilots can use BasicMed. You must have held a valid FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006. You also take an approved online course every 24 months and get an exam from any state-licensed physician every 48 months. Check the current FAA BasicMed page for limits.

Find an AME by airport in California

KBNG Banning Municipal AirportKUDD Bermuda Dunes AirportKPOC Brackett FieldKSDM Brown Field Municipal AirportKCCR Buchanan FieldKCNO Chino AirportKFAT Fresno Yosemite International AirportKSEE Gillespie FieldKHAF Half Moon Bay AirportKHWD Hayward Executive AirportKBUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope AirportKHHR Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal AirportKTRM Jacqueline Cochran Regional AirportKSNA John Wayne Orange County International AirportKLHM Lincoln Regional Karl Harder FieldKLVK Livermore Municipal AirportKLGB Long Beach International AirportKLAX Los Angeles International AirportKMAE Madera Municipal AirportKMCC McClellan AirfieldKCRQ McClellan-Palomar AirportKSJC Mineta San Jose International AirportKMYF Montgomery-Gibbs Executive AirportKOAK Oakland San Francisco Bay AirportKPSP Palm Springs International AirportKPAO Palo Alto AirportKRNM Ramona AirportKSAC Sacramento Executive AirportKSMF Sacramento International AirportKMHR Sacramento Mather AirportKSQL San Carlos AirportKSAN San Diego International AirportKSFO San Francisco International AirportKSMO Santa Monica Municipal AirportKVNY Van Nuys AirportKWHP Whiteman AirportKDWA Yolo County Davis Woodland Winters AirportKTOA Zamperini Field