Federal Aviation Regulations
14 CFR § 61.23 — Medical certificates: Requirement and duration
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).
The regulation, in full
Sec. 61.23 Medical certificates: Requirement and duration.
(a) Operations requiring a medical certificate. Except as provided
in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a person--
(1) Must hold a first-class medical certificate:
(i) When exercising the pilot-in-command privileges of an airline
transport pilot certificate;
(ii) When exercising the second-in-command privileges of an airline
transport pilot certificate in a flag or supplemental operation in part
121 of this chapter that requires three or more pilots; or
(iii) When serving as a required pilot flightcrew member in an
operation conducted under part 121 of this chapter if the pilot has
reached his or her 60th birthday.
(2) Must hold at least a second class medical certificate when
exercising:
(i) Second-in-command privileges of an airline transport pilot
certificate in part 121 of this chapter (other than operations specified
in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section);
(ii) Privileges of a commercial pilot certificate in an aircraft
other than a balloon or glider; or
(iii) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section,
privileges of a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon class rating
for compensation or hire; or
(3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate--
(i) When exercising the privileges of a private pilot certificate,
recreational pilot certificate, or student pilot certificate, except
when operating under the conditions and limitations set forth in Sec.
61.113(i);
(ii) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor
certificate and acting as the pilot in command or as a required
flightcrew member, except when operating under the conditions and
limitations set forth in Sec. 61.113(i);
(iii) When taking a practical test in an aircraft for a recreational
pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, or airline transport pilot
certificate, or for a flight instructor certificate, except when
operating under the conditions and limitations set forth in Sec.
61.113(i); or
(iv) When performing the duties as an Examiner in an aircraft when
administering a practical test or proficiency check for an airman
certificate, rating, or authorization, except when meeting the
requirements to operate under the
conditions and limitations set forth in Sec. 61.113(i).
(b) Operations not requiring a medical certificate. A person is not
required to hold a medical certificate--
(1) When exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate
while seeking--
(i) A sport pilot certificate with glider or balloon privileges; or
(ii) A pilot certificate with a glider category rating or balloon
class rating;
(2) When exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate with
privileges in a glider or balloon;
(3) When exercising the privileges of a pilot certificate with a
glider category rating in a glider;
(4) When exercising the privileges of a private pilot certificate
with a balloon class rating in a balloon;
(5) When exercising the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate
with a balloon class rating in a balloon if the person is providing
flight training in accordance with Sec. 61.133(a)(2)(ii);
(6) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor
certificate with--
(i) A sport pilot rating in a glider or balloon; or
(ii) A glider category rating;
(7) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor
certificate if the person is not acting as pilot in command or serving
as a required pilot flight crewmember;
(8) When exercising the privileges of a ground instructor
certificate;
(9) When serving as an Examiner or check airman and administering a
practical test or proficiency check for an airman certificate, rating,
or authorization conducted in a glider, balloon, flight simulator, or
flight training device;
(10) When taking a practical test or a proficiency check for a
certificate, rating, authorization or operating privilege conducted in a
glider, balloon, flight simulator, or flight training device;
(11) When a military pilot of the U.S. Armed Forces can show
evidence of an up-to-date medical examination authorizing pilot flight
status issued by the U.S. Armed Forces and--
(i) The flight does not require higher than a third-class medical
certificate; and
(ii) The flight conducted is a domestic flight operation within U.S.
airspace; or
(12) When exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate
or higher while acting as pilot in command on a special medical flight
test authorized under part 67 of this chapter.
(c) Operations requiring either a medical certificate or U.S.
driver's license. (1) A person must hold and possess either a medical
certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter or a U.S. driver's
license when--
(i) Exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate while
seeking sport pilot privileges in a light-sport aircraft other than a
glider or balloon;
(ii) Exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate in a
light-sport aircraft other than a glider or balloon;
(iii) Exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate
with a sport pilot rating while acting as pilot in command or serving as
a required flight crewmember of a light-sport aircraft other than a
glider or balloon;
(iv) Serving as an Examiner and administering a practical test for
the issuance of a sport pilot certificate in a light-sport aircraft
other than a glider or balloon;
(v) Exercising the privileges of a student, recreational or private
pilot certificate if the flight is conducted under the conditions and
limitations set forth in Sec. 61.113(i);
(vi) Exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate
and acting as the pilot in command or as a required flight crewmember if
the flight is conducted under the conditions and limitations set forth
in Sec. 61.113(i); or
(vii) Serving as an Examiner and administering a practical test or
proficiency check for an airman certificate, rating, or authorization if
the flight is conducted under the conditions and limitations set forth
in Sec. 61.113(i).
(2) A person using a U.S. driver's license to meet the requirements
of paragraph (c) while exercising sport pilot privileges must--
(i) Comply with each restriction and limitation imposed by that
person's U.S. driver's license and any judicial or administrative order
applying to the operation of a motor vehicle;
(ii) Have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-
class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent
application (if the person has applied for a medical certificate);
(iii) Not have had his or her most recently issued medical
certificate (if the person has held a medical certificate) suspended or
revoked or most recent Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical
Certificate withdrawn; and
(iv) Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that
would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a
safe manner.
(3) A person using a U.S. driver's license to meet the requirements
of paragraph (c) while operating under the conditions and limitations of
Sec. 61.113(i) must meet the following requirements--
(i) The person must--
(A) Comply with all medical requirements or restrictions associated
with his or her U.S. driver's license;
(B) At any point after July 14, 2006, have held a medical
certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter;
(C) Complete the medical education course set forth in Sec. 68.3 of
this chapter during the 24 calendar months before acting as pilot in
command or serving as a required flightcrew member in an operation
conducted under Sec. 61.113(i) and retain a certification of course
completion in accordance with Sec. 68.3(b)(1) of this chapter;
(D) Receive a comprehensive medical examination from a State-
licensed physician during the 48 calendar months before acting as pilot
in command or serving as a required flightcrew member of an operation
conducted under Sec. 61.113(i) and that medical examination is
conducted in accordance with the requirements in part 68 of this
chapter; and
(E) If the individual has been diagnosed with any medical condition
that may impact the ability of the individual to fly, be under the care
and treatment of a State-licensed physician when acting as pilot in
command or serving as a required flightcrew member of an operation
conducted under Sec. 61.113(i).
(ii) The most recently issued medical certificate--
(A) May include an authorization for special issuance;
(B) May be expired; and
(C) Cannot have been suspended or revoked.
(iii) The most recently issued Authorization for a Special Issuance
of a Medical Certificate cannot have been withdrawn; and
(iv) The most recent application for an airman medical certificate
submitted to the FAA cannot have been completed and denied.
(d) Duration of a medical certificate. Use the following table to
determine duration for each class of medical certificate:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then your medical
And on the date of certificate expires, for
If you hold examination for your And you are conducting an that operation, at the
most recent medical operation requiring end of the last day of
certificate you were the
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A first-class medical (i) Under age 40..... an airline transport pilot 12th month after the
certificate. certificate for pilot-in- month of the date of
command privileges, or examination shown on the
for second-in-command medical certificate.
privileges in a flag or
supplemental operation in
part 121 requiring three
or more pilots.
(ii) Age 40 or older. an airline transport pilot 6th month after the month
certificate for pilot-in- of the date of
command privileges, for examination shown on the
second-in-command medical certificate.
privileges in a flag or
supplemental operation in
part 121 requiring three
or more pilots, or for a
pilot flightcrew member
in part 121 operations
who has reached his or
her 60th birthday..
(iii) Any age........ a commercial pilot 12th month after the
certificate (other than a month of the date of
commercial pilot examination shown on the
certificate with a medical certificate.
balloon rating when
conducting flight
training), a flight
engineer certificate, or
an air traffic control
tower operator
certificate.
(iv) Under age 40.... a recreational pilot 60th month after the
certificate, a private month of the date of
pilot certificate, a examination shown on the
flight instructor medical certificate.
certificate (when acting
as pilot in command or a
required pilot flight
crewmember in operations
other than glider or
balloon), a student pilot
certificate, or a sport
pilot certificate (when
not using a U.S. driver's
license as medical
qualification).
(v) Age 40 or older.. a recreational pilot 24th month after the
certificate, a private month of the date of
pilot certificate, a examination shown on the
flight instructor medical certificate.
certificate (when acting
as pilot in command or a
required pilot flight
crewmember in operations
other than glider or
balloon), a student pilot
certificate, or a sport
pilot certificate (when
not using a U.S. driver's
license as medical
qualification).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) A second-class medical (i) Any age.......... an airline transport pilot 12th month after the
certificate. certificate for second-in- month of the date of
command privileges (other examination shown on the
than the operations medical certificate.
specified in paragraph
(d)(1) of this section),
a commercial pilot
certificate (other than a
commercial pilot
certificate with a
balloon rating when
conducting flight
training), a flight
engineer certificate, or
an air traffic control
tower operator
certificate.
(ii) Under age 40.... a recreational pilot 60th month after the
certificate, a private month of the date of
pilot certificate, a examination shown on the
flight instructor medical certificate.
certificate (when acting
as pilot in command or a
required pilot flight
crewmember in operations
other than glider or
balloon), a student pilot
certificate, or a sport
pilot certificate (when
not using a U.S. driver's
license as medical
qualification).
(iii) Age 40 or older a recreational pilot 24th month after the
certificate, a private month of the date of
pilot certificate, a examination shown on the
flight instructor medical certificate.
certificate (when acting
as pilot in command or a
required pilot flight
crewmember in operations
other than glider or
balloon), a student pilot
certificate, or a sport
pilot certificate (when
not using a U.S. driver's
license as medical
qualification).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) A third-class medical (i) Under age 40..... a recreational pilot 60th month after the
certificate. certificate, a private month of the date of
pilot certificate, a examination shown on the
flight instructor medical certificate.
certificate (when acting
as pilot in command or a
required pilot flight
crewmember in operations
other than glider or
balloon), a student pilot
certificate, or a sport
pilot certificate (when
not using a U.S. driver's
license as medical
qualification).
(ii) Age 40 or older. a recreational pilot 24th month after the
certificate, a private month of the date of
pilot certificate, a examination shown on the
flight instructor medical certificate.
certificate (when acting
as pilot in command or a
required pilot flight
crewmember in operations
other than glider or
balloon), a student pilot
certificate, or a sport
pilot certificate (when
not using a U.S. driver's
license as medical
qualification).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40895,
July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44864, July 27, 2004, as amended by
Amdt. 61-121, 73 FR 43064, July 24, 2008; Amdt. 61-121, 73 FR 48125,
Aug. 18, 2008; Amdt. 61-123, 74 FR 34234, July 15, 2009; Amdt. 61-124,
74 FR 42547, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-129, 76 FR 78143, Dec. 16, 2011;
Amdt. 61-129A, 77 FR 61721, Oct. 11, 2012; Amdt. 61-130, 78 FR 42372,
July 15, 2013; Docket FAA-2016-9157, Amdt. 61-140, 82 FR 3164, Jan. 11,
2017; Docket FAA-2021-1040, Amdt. 61-152, 87 FR 71236, Nov. 22, 2022;
Docket FAA-2021-1040; Amdt. 61-152, 87 FR 71237, Nov. 22, 2022; Docket
FAA-2024-2580, Amdt. 61-158, 89 FR 90577, Nov. 18, 2024]What this means for the knowledge test
Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.
Medical certificates come in three classes: first, second, and third. Exercising private pilot privileges generally requires at least a third-class medical certificate issued by an aviation medical examiner, unless the pilot qualifies to fly under BasicMed. The class of medical needed depends on the privileges being exercised.
14 CFR 61.23 / 67
A private pilot exercising private privileges needs at least a third-class medical certificate. The validity period depends on age: a third-class medical is valid for 60 calendar months if the holder was under age 40 at the time of the exam, and 24 calendar months if age 40 or older. Alternatively, BasicMed allows certain pilots to fly without a current FAA medical if they meet its requirements: having held a valid FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006, a recurring comprehensive medical exam with a state-licensed physician using the FAA checklist (every 48 months), and completion of the FAA online medical course (every 24 months), subject to aircraft and operating limitations.
14 CFR 61.23 / 14 CFR Part 68 (BasicMed)
Lessons that cover § 61.23
Practice questions on § 61.23 (3)
What class of medical certificate is generally required to exercise private pilot privileges?
Answer Third-class medical certificate
Exercising private pilot privileges generally requires at least a third-class medical certificate, unless the pilot qualifies under BasicMed.
Which statement best describes BasicMed?
Answer It lets qualifying pilots fly without a current FAA medical after meeting its requirements
BasicMed is not a one-time exam: it requires having held a valid FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006, plus recurring requirements — a comprehensive physician exam using the FAA checklist and completion of the FAA online BasicMed medical course — letting qualifying pilots operate without a current FAA medical certificate within specified limits.
For a pilot age 40 or older, how long is a third-class medical certificate valid for private privileges?
Answer 24 calendar months
A third-class medical is valid for 60 calendar months if the holder was under 40 at the exam and 24 calendar months if 40 or older.