The Class 3 Medical Certificate is the minimum medical qualification required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for pilots operating in the United States. This certification confirms that a pilot meets the necessary standards to safely conduct non-commercial flight operations. The certificate is a requirement for anyone seeking to pilot an aircraft solo or to exercise the privileges of certain pilot certificates.
What the Class 3 Certificate Allows
Holding a Class 3 Medical Certificate is a prerequisite for a student pilot to fly an aircraft solo and for a private pilot to act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft. This certificate permits flight for personal business or pleasure, as well as for recreational and student flight training.
The scope of operation is strictly limited to non-commercial activities, meaning the pilot cannot fly for hire or compensation. For any flying activity where the pilot is compensated for their services, such as commercial or airline transport operations, a more rigorous Class 1 or Class 2 Medical Certificate is required.
The Application and Examination Process
The process of obtaining a Class 3 Medical Certificate begins with the electronic submission of an application through the FAA’s MedXPress system. The applicant must complete this form, detailing their medical history, before their physical examination. This online submission generates a confirmation number that the pilot must provide to the medical professional.
The physical examination must be conducted by an FAA-authorized physician known as an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). An applicant must schedule their appointment with the AME within 60 days of submitting their MedXPress application. The AME reviews the submitted medical history and performs a general physical examination.
The physical evaluation includes checking the applicant’s height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure, along with basic screenings for vision and hearing. Following the examination, the AME may issue the certificate immediately if the applicant meets all standards. If a complex medical issue is identified, the AME must defer the application to the FAA for further review.
Key Medical Standards for Certification
The medical standards for the Class 3 certificate are designed to prevent incapacitation during flight. For vision, a pilot must have distant visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. Near vision must also be 20/40 or better, and the applicant must demonstrate the ability to perceive necessary colors.
Hearing standards require the ability to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room from six feet away. Alternatively, the applicant can pass a specific audiometric test demonstrating acceptable hearing thresholds. Certain conditions mandate a denial or deferral by the AME, including a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and substance dependence or abuse.
Cardiovascular conditions such as angina pectoris, a history of myocardial infarction, or the presence of a permanent cardiac pacemaker are disqualifying. Applicants with chronic conditions, such as diabetes requiring hypoglycemic medication, may still be eligible for a Special Issuance. This authorization is granted by the Federal Air Surgeon after a thorough review demonstrating that the condition is stable, well-managed, and poses no undue risk to flight safety.
How Long the Certificate Remains Valid
The duration of the Class 3 Medical Certificate depends entirely on the pilot’s age at the time of the examination. If the pilot has not yet reached their 40th birthday, the certificate is valid for 60 calendar months, or five years.
For pilots who are 40 years old or older on the date of the examination, the validity period is reduced to 24 calendar months, or two years. The certificate expires on the last day of the 60th or 24th month, respectively, after the month in which the examination was performed.