Medical certificates for UK licences
Pilot licences are not valid without a valid medical certificate.
| Licence type | Minimum level of medical certificate required |
|---|---|
| CPL, MPL and ATPL | Class 1 medical certificate |
| PPL |
|
| SPL and BPL holders involved in commercial flights | Class 2 medical certificate |
| LAPL, SPL, BPL | LAPL medical certificate |
Application for a medical certificate
You will need to go to an AeMC, AME or your NHS GP with proof of identity. You will need to sign a declaration that includes the following:
- Medical facts about your history
- Whether you have had a medical before, by whom and the result
- Whether you have been assessed as unfit or had a medical certificate suspended or revoked
Full details of how to apply for a medical certificate:
- Apply for a Class 1 medical certificate
- Apply for a Class 2 medical certificate
- Apply for a LAPL medical certificate
Issue, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates
Medical certificates can only be issued, revalidated or renewed if a fit assessment is made by an appropriate medical examiner as follows:
| Medical certificate | Appropriate examiner | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | AeMC (An AeMC or AME can complete a revalidation or renewal) | 12 months, unless you are 40 or over and carry out single pilot commercial air transport operations carrying passengers or you are over 60, in which case it is 6 months |
| Class 2 | AeMC or AME |
|
| LAPL | AeMC, AME or GP |
|
You must provide them with your complete medical history and the results of any medical examinations and tests as required by the examiner. They will complete the medical assessment based on the examinations and tests required for that certificate. They may also ask you to undergo additional medical examinations or investigations if needed.
The validity period for a medical certificate will be determined by your age when you take the medical and calculated from the date of the examination in the case of issue and renewal. If you are applying for revalidation of a certificate, it will be calculated from the expiry date of the previous certificate. You can have your revalidation examination up to 45 days before your previous one expires.
If you have not had your revalidation examination in the 45 days before it expires, you will need a renewal examination.
If you hold a Class 1 or 2 medical certificate what has expired by more than two years, the examiner will need to assess your aeromedical record before carrying out the renewal examination. If it has expired by more than 5 years, the process for initial issue will apply, though the fitness decision will be based on the revalidation requirements; in this circumstance Class 1 applicants will need to attend an Aeromedical Centre.
If you hold a LAPL medical certificate that has expired your examiner will assess your medical history and carry out the renewal examination as detailed in the medical assessment section.
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