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Medical Guide Updated March 2026 12 min read

FAA Medical Certificate: Complete Guide for Student Pilots

First, Second, and Third Class explained in plain English. BasicMed eligibility, common disqualifiers, how to find an AME, and what to do if you have a medical concern — before you invest in training.

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Not legal or medical advice. This guide explains FAA regulations for informational purposes. Medical certification decisions involve individual circumstances. Always consult an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and, for complex situations, an aviation medical attorney.

Why you should get your medical certificate early

The FAA medical certificate is one of the first things you should take care of — ideally before investing significant time or money in flight training. In rare cases, a medical condition surfaces that affects flying eligibility. Finding out early costs $75–$150 for the exam. Finding out after 40 hours of training costs much more.

FAA medical certificate three classes comparison chart

First, Second, and Third Class medical — privileges and duration

Ready to plan your training?

Now that you know what to expect from your medical, see what your full training will realistically cost.

Estimate Training Cost → Full Pilot Guide