Briefing · FAA Medical Certificate
Get cleared before you invest in training.
Quick, affordable and done locally in Long Beach.
Every student pilot needs an FAA medical certificate before soloing and before earning a pilot certificate. We strongly recommend getting yours early. If a disqualifying condition exists, it is far better to know now than after spending thousands on flight hours.
If you are planning to pursue an airline career, it is worth considering starting with a First Class medical from the outset instead of a Third Class. This is not required (you can complete your entire training path on a Third Class) but a First Class confirms upfront that you meet the higher airline standards before investing in the full professional pathway. After 12 months (under 40) or 6 months (40+), a First Class automatically cascades down to Second Class, then to Third Class privileges, so you can keep training without any interruption. Once you reach the airlines, you simply renew the First Class to maintain ATP privileges.
Create an account on the FAA's MedXPress system at medxpress.faa.gov. Complete the online medical history form (Form 8500-8). This generates a confirmation number that you will bring to the doctor. Do this at home before your appointment, not in the office.
Important: Once you hit Submit, you have 60 days to complete the AME exam or the application is deleted and you start over. Only submit MedXPress after you have confirmed an appointment with Dr. Hertzog (or your AME). Stuck on a question? FAA MedXPress support: (877) 287-6731.
Bring your MedXPress confirmation number and a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) to the appointment. The doctor will reference your online form during the exam, no need to print the full application.
Also bring: reading glasses (if you use them), your contact lens prescription, a list of current medications and doses, and any prior medical records relevant to a disclosed condition. Coming prepared helps the AME finish the exam without delays.
The AME conducts the physical exam. If everything checks out, your medical certificate is issued on the spot. If something needs further review, the AME walks you through the FAA deferral process. These cases go to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD) in Oklahoma City and typically take 4–12 weeks to resolve.
Note: The FAA medical is not the same as the Student Pilot Certificate. The Student Pilot Certificate is a separate document filed through IACRA, processed by TSA, and mailed to you as a plastic card weeks later. Your instructor helps with that application at the office. You need both the medical and the Student Pilot Certificate to fly solo.
D · 01
FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in Long Beach. Handles Third Class and First Class exams. Experienced, efficient, pilot-friendly.
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Typical exam cost. May vary slightly for First Class with EKG. Most insurance does not cover aviation medicals, so plan to pay out of pocket.
D · 03
The exam itself is straightforward. Vision test, hearing, blood pressure, general health review and a brief conversation about medical history.
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Call to schedule. Mention you are a student at Aces High Aviation. Appointments usually available within a week or two.
K · 01
Once you submit MedXPress, your answers are locked in. The FAA takes falsification seriously. It carries criminal penalties under 14 CFR 67.403. If you have prior medical/mental health history (ADHD, depression, sleep apnea, prior DUI, etc.), talk to the AME or an aviation medical attorney before submitting. Doing this right the first time can save your career.
K · 02
The medical certificate and the Student Pilot Certificate are two separate documents. The medical comes from the AME; the Student Pilot Certificate is filed through IACRA with your instructor at the office, processed by TSA, and mailed weeks later. You need both in your possession before flying solo.
K · 03
If a condition needs further review, your case is forwarded to the FAA's Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD) in Oklahoma City. Typical processing is 4–12 weeks. As of 2025, deferral letters can be issued as initial denials, which are reportable on all future medical applications, so plan well in advance if you have anything that might trigger one.
K · 04
For pilots who have already held an FAA medical issued after 14 July 2006, BasicMed is a cheaper alternative for private operations, usually a normal physical with your regular doctor plus an online course. New students cannot start with BasicMed (you must have held an FAA medical first), but it is worth knowing about for later in your career.
Next
Schedule your medical early. Once you have your certificate in hand, you are one step closer to your first solo.