Part 61 - Section 61.23 - Medical certificates: Requirement and duration

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper

14 CFR Part 61, Section 61.23 explains when medical certificates are required for different categories of pilots, including first-, second-, and third-class certificate holders. It sets rules for medical-certificate renewal periods for certain category II/III authorizations and clarifies how passing a practical test before expiration affects the expiration month. The section also lists operations that do not require a medical certificate and operations requiring either a medical certificate or a U.S. driver’s license, including limitations and eligibility conditions. It further defines the duration of each medical certificate class using an expiration-date framework.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

§ 61.23 Medical certificates: Requirement and duration

Operations requiring a medical certificate

Operations not requiring a medical certificate

Operations requiring either a medical certificate or U.S. driver's license

Duration of a medical certificate

§ 61 .23 14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–11 Edition) (c) A Category II or Category III pilot authorization for a specific type aircraft for which an authorization is held will not be renewed beyond 12 calendar months from the month the practical test was accomplished in that type aircraft. (d) If the holder of a Category II or Category III pilot authorization passes the practical test for a renewal in the month before the authorization expires, the holder is considered to have passed it during the month the authorization expired. § 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 privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate; or (ii) If that person has reached his or her 60th birthday and serves as a pilot in 14 CFR part 121 operations. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 61 .23(d)(1)(iii), that person’s first-class medical certificate expires, for 14 CFR part 121 operations, at the end of the last day of the 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. (2) Must hold at least a second-class medical certificate when exercising the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate; or (3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate— (i) When exercising the privileges of a private pilot certificate; (ii) When exercising the privileges of a recreational pilot certificate; (iii) When exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate; (iv) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate and acting as the pilot in command; (v) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate and serving as a required pilot flight crewmember; (vi) When taking a practical test inan aircraft for a recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, or airline transport pilot certificate, or for a flight instructor certificate; or (vii) When performing the duties asan Examiner in an aircraft when administering a practical test or proficiency check for an airman certificate, rating, or authorization. (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 or balloon class rating ina glider or a balloon, as appropriate; (4) 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; (5) 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; (6) When exercising the privileges of a ground instructor certificate; (7) 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; (8) 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; or (9) 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

FAQs

When must a person hold a first-class medical certificate under § 61.23?

A first-class medical certificate is required when exercising the privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate, and for pilots who have reached their 60th birthday serving in 14 CFR part 121 operations.

When are medical certificates not required under § 61.23?

Medical certificates are not required for specific operations such as seeking or exercising sport pilot privileges with glider or balloon privileges, certain flight instructor activities under listed conditions, ground instructor activities, and administering or taking practical tests or proficiency checks in gliders, balloons, flight simulators, or flight training devices.

How long does a medical certificate last under § 61.23?

The expiration duration depends on the certificate class and the date of examination. The section instructs readers to use the provided table to determine the expiration timing for each class of medical certificate for the operation being conducted.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper