What Is the FAA Medical Certificate and Why Do You Need It?

Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Leading FAA Medical Certification Doctor

Dr. Steven Fishburn owns and directs Fishburn Medical Exams (FAA/DOT Exams) in Albuquerque, NM. Our esteemed doctor is board-certified in Occupational and Environmental Medicine and is responsible for certifying multiple occupations, such as firefighters, DOT drivers, police officers, airplane pilots, and more. With advanced education in substance abuse, our doctor is highly qualified to monitor pilots with a substance abuse history.

Why a Medical Certification for Pilots?

An FAA Medical Certificate is essential to learning how to fly. This certificate ensures that the pilot and flight crew are medically fit and safe for the public. This certificate includes the following classes.

• First-class - medical, pilot in command, required flight crew if 60 or older, good health, 20/20 vision, ECG testing 35 or older, ECG 40 or older, valid for 12 months if under 40, valid six months if over 40
• Second-class - medical, airline, and commercial pilots, second in command commercial pilot, good health, 20/20 vision, valid 12 months regardless of age.
• The third class comprises private students, flight instructors, recreational pilots, and pilot examiners. They have 20/40 vision and are valid for 60 months if they are under 40 and 24 months if they are over 40.

Fishburn Medical Exams (FAA/DOT Exams) in Albuquerque, NM, explains that each FAA Medical Certification holds three classes. Each class requires different requirements for flight operations.

An FAA Medical Certification is essential to the safety and well-being of pilots, airplane crew, and the public. Considering the following factors, the pilots’ overall health must be good before receiving their certification.

• Passing the exam
• Heart healthy
• Good Blood Pressure and pulse
• Passing all the medical tests
• No substance abuse
• Normal range blood work
• Normal function of ears, nose, and throat
• Good overall mental health with no history of bipolar disorder, severe personality disorders, or psychosis
• No history of diabetes and taking diabetic injections or medication; has a history of angina, CAD, myocardial infarction, valve replacement, cardiac pacemaker, heart replacement, Epilepsy, seizure disorder
• An FAA medical certificate determines if the pilot is physically and mentally fit to fly. This FAA Medical Certification ensures that everyone remains as safe as humanly possible. The three levels of certification are made flexible to meet the pilot’s needs and are the last required step for the pilot to receive their license to fly.  

Seeking a Pilots’ License?

Call Dr. Fishborn at Fishburn Medical Exams (FAA/DOT Exams) in Albuquerque, NM, at 505-767-8852 for more information on obtaining your FAA Medical Certification, the last step in receiving your pilot’s license. Our doctor is devoted to keeping everyone in the skies safe and ensures our pilots are healthy, well, and fit to fly.