The FAA medical
First, Second or Third Class: Which FAA Medical Do You Need?
✓ Reviewed against current FAA sources on October 28, 2026
In this guide
In short
First class is required for airline transport pilot privileges, second class for commercial privileges and third class for student, recreational and private flying. Under 14 CFR 61.23 (opens in a new tab) the duration depends on the privileges exercised and your age at the examination. Airline transport privileges last 12 calendar months under 40 and 6 months at 40 or older. Commercial privileges last 12 calendar months at any age. Private, recreational and student privileges and flight instructing last 60 calendar months under 40 and 24 months at 40 or older. All expire at the end of the last day of the stated month, so one first class examination at age 35 supports 12 months of airline privileges and 60 months of private ones. Flying under Part 107 requires no medical certificate at all.
Three classes, three sets of privileges and a duration table that catches people out, because how long your certificate lasts depends on what you are using it for and how old you were when it was issued.
Which class do you need?
- First class. Required to exercise airline transport pilot privileges. Someone aiming at an airline career usually takes one early, because finding out whether you meet the first class standards before paying for training is cheaper than finding out afterward.
- Second class. Required to exercise commercial pilot privileges.
- Third class. The one student, recreational and private pilots need where a medical is required at all.
A higher class certificate carries the privileges of the lower ones, which is why the duration table below is written around the privileges being exercised rather than the class printed on the certificate.
How long does an FAA medical last?
The durations are in 14 CFR 61.23 (opens in a new tab), and they turn on two things: the privileges exercised, and your age on the date of the examination.
- Airline transport pilot privileges. 12 calendar months if you were under 40 at the examination, 6 calendar months if you were 40 or older.
- Commercial pilot privileges, and flight engineer or air traffic control tower operator duties. 12 calendar months, at any age.
- Private, recreational and student pilot privileges, and flight instructing. 60 calendar months if you were under 40, 24 calendar months if you were 40 or older.
Every one of those expires at the end of the last day of the month stated, which is why they are written in calendar months rather than days.
This is where the surprise lives. A first class certificate issued to a 35 year old lasts 12 months for airline transport privileges and 60 months for private privileges, out of the same examination. The certificate does not stop existing when the first class period ends; it steps down.
Do you need a medical to fly a drone?
No. Operating under 14 CFR Part 107 requires no FAA medical certificate at all. There is no flight physical, no examiner and no form. The rule is 107.17, titled Medical condition, and it asks you to judge yourself rather than be examined: you may not operate if you know or have reason to know of a physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft system.
The rule that applies to everyone
Whatever certificate you hold, 14 CFR 61.53 (opens in a new tab) applies. It prohibits acting as pilot in command, or as a required crewmember, while you know of a medical condition that would make you unable to meet the requirements for the certificate, or while taking medication or receiving treatment with that effect.
The important part is that it reaches operations conducted without a medical certificate as well, so there is no version of flying where nobody is responsible for deciding you are fit on the day. A current certificate is not a statement about today. Section 61.53 (opens in a new tab) is.
Before you apply
Two mechanics worth knowing. Your MedXPress application remains active for 60 days and disappears from the system if your examiner has not uploaded it in that time.
And the one to know before you book anything: the FAA's Medical Examination Bill of Rights lets you terminate an examination, with the understanding that if the application has been imported by the Aviation Medical Examiner or the exam has begun, the AME must submit the incomplete application. If you have an unresolved question about your history, resolve it before the application is imported. Afterward there is no walking it back.