FAA EXAMS/DOT EXAMS

FAA Medical Exams

Dr. Higginbotham has been a senior Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) for over 30 years. As a senior AME he can perform all classes of flight physicals. Our office performs over 1200 flight physicals per year so we are well versed in the FAA regulations and how to handle special issue cases. (Dr. Higginbotham DOES NOT participate in the BASIC MED program).

In 2019 he also became certified with the FAA to be a HIMS AME. HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) is a program that the FAA will direct some airman to complete before they can be medically cleared. This program is for anyone with a history of a DUI or any Drug abuse and or arrest. The FAA also uses this program for airman that have a history of depression or other mental conditions that have required the use of medication. Currently the FAA will approve an airman with the use of an antidepressant on a limited basis. Please check the FAA regulations for the medications that can be approved.

Class 1 physicals are valid for 1 year if you are under the age of 40. If you are over the age of 40 then your medical is valid for 6 months. You will also need an EKG after you turn 35, then annually after you turn 40.
Class 2 physicals are valid for 12 months.
Class 3 physicals are valid for 5 years if you are under 40 at the time of the exam. If you are over 40 the medical certificate is valid for 2 years.

*The FAA can put a time restriction on any of the medical certificates so make sure you are aware of your time restrictions.*

VISION

The FAA requires that all Class 1 and Class 2 airman have 20/20 vision for distance. You are allowed to wear contacts for distant vision.

The FAA requires that all Class 3 airman have 20/40 vision for distance. You are allowed to wear contacts for distant vision.

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR CONTACTS THAT CORRECT FOR READING. You may use glasses.

HEARING

The FAA hearing requirements are that applicants must demonstrate the ability to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room at a distance of 6 feet and understand speech at an acceptable level. The hearing qualification is the same across all three classes. You are allowed to wear hearing aids.

FAA SPECIAL ISSUE CASES

If you are currently on a special issue and will be coming to our office for the first time, you will need to bring the letter from the FAA that authorized you to fly as well as the documentation that they ask for to be recertified.

Complete your 8500-8 Application online at https://medxpress.faa.gov/

If you are inquiring about the status of your FAA Medical Certificate or have questions about what is required to obtain your Medical Certificate, please contact the FAA directly at 405-954-4821 (Oklahoma City) or 206-231-4001 (Northwest Region).

FAA Exam Application Process

For all FAA Aviation Medical Examinations the applicant must do the following:

All applicants for certification must go to https://medxpress.faa.gov
Complete the FAA MedXpress 8500-8 Application on-line and submit your application prior to your appointment
Call the office at 208-376-2522 with your confirmation number prior to your Appointment

Be sure to bring the following documentation to your Aviation Medical Exam:

Bring a valid Photo ID
Most recent FAA Letter if Applicable, etc.
Pertinent medical documentation as required for previous special issuance
Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA), if you have been issued one. Failure to do so may delay the issuance of your medical certificate.
Be ready to leave a urine sample

Our Payment Policy for FAA Exams

These are Non-Refundable Fees:

Class 1, 2, or 3 – $200

EKGs – $90

Interim Physicals (As FAA Allows) $100

Special Issuance Fees (Uploading directly to your FAA file instead of mailing) $50-$100 depending on complexity of issues.

Mailing records to the FAA increases your wait time exponentially, they are required to have the mail sit for 6 weeks before they can touch it due to biohazard risks. Uploading eliminates this wait.

BOMC

FAA EXAMS/DOT EXAMS

FAA Medical Exams

FAA Exam Application Process

Boise Osteopathic Medical Clinic