Medical Certificate Duration

The FAA requires pilots to hold a valid medical certificate appropriate for their privileges. The duration depends on two factors: the class of medical (First, Second, or Third) and the pilot's age at the time of the examination.

The critical age boundary is 40. A First Class medical lasts 12 calendar months if you are under 40, but only 6 calendar months at 40 or over. A Third Class medical lasts 60 months (5 years) under 40, but drops to 24 months at 40 and over. Second Class remains 12 months regardless of age.

BasicMed, introduced in 2017, allows pilots who held a valid medical after July 14, 2006 to fly without a traditional medical certificate — subject to aircraft size, altitude, and speed limitations. It requires a physical exam every 48 months and an online medical education course every 24 months.