FAA Medical

Last updated June 6, 2024

FAA Medical

General Requirements

Reedley College requires Flight Science students who take Flight lab classes to hold a

class (or higher) medical certificate during all semesters of Flight labs. You must

submit a copy of your medical certificate as part of the application process to be

accepted into the Flight Science degree. A medical certificate is issued after

completing an online medical history form and then receiving an actual medical exam

by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doctor.

Some applicants have a medical condition that must be reviewed by the FAA prior to

the medical certificate being issued. It is strongly recommended that prospective

students apply for the medical certificate 4-5 months in advance of when they want to

have the certificate.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a web page about Medical Certificates,

please read it.

Most medical exams cost between $125 - $200.

STEP 1: Decide which Medical Exam to Take

Students planning to become airline pilots are highly encouraged to obtain an FAA 1

class medical certificate. Business jet pilots, crop duster pilots, firefighting pilots, and

any non-airline paid pilot positions only require a 2

class medical. Flight Instructors

will only need a 3

class medical. Reedley College students must hold and maintain a

valid 3

class medical or higher (2

or 1

) while registered and flying in a Flight Lab

course.

If you held an FAA medical certificate in the past, you may qualify under BasicMed.

This AOPA webpage has more information to confirm if this applies to you (in lieu of a

class medical).

STEP 2: Pick a Permanent Name to use with FAA

You will need one permanent name that meets FAA requirements. This name MUST

be IDENTICAL on all on all your FAA related documents: Government issued

photo ID (such as current Driver’s License or valid passport), FAA medical,

student pilot certificate, regular pilot certificate, FAA written test results, and FAA

application documents.

Last updated June 6, 2024

Your valid government issued photo ID and ALL the FAA documents MUST HAVE THE

EXACT SAME NAME by the time you get your private pilot certificate. You CANNOT

have initials on your IDs or on FAA paperwork. All names on your ID and all FAA

documents must be spelled-out. No initials are allowed.

It will be easier to change your driver’s license now so all your FAA documents will

match your new driver’s license. This is much easier than trying to fix all your FAA

documents later. If you decide to use your valid passport as your ID, then all FAA

documents must exactly match the passport.

When you take your FAA written tests, the photo ID used must have your current

mailing address on it. A passport does not show an address. If you use your passport

as an ID for this test, then you must have a second form of ID with a current mailing

address.

Decide how you will handle your permanent name now before you fill-out the online

application for your medical (MEDEXPRESS). If you have questions about a name that

is not first, middle, and last (or you have more than three names) …then call the AOPA

for advice on how to handle it. If a student has only two names, leave the middle name

blank. Student pilots can join the AOPA for 3 months for free at the AOPA webpage.

Free Membership for ages 13-20

Examples of three names:

Mabel Anita Jackson

Juan Roberto Garcia-Ramirez

Juan Roberto Garcia Ramirez

Example of two names:

David Fredrickson

It is strongly recommended that you fix all the above ID issues PRIOR to

obtaining your medical certificate.

Step 3: Consult with the AOPA

It is highly recommended the AOPA instructions at these two links below be followed

PRIOR to starting the online application for an FAA medical certificate:

AOPA Medical Resource page

Join the AOPA for free (see above) to see if you think you may have any medical issues

you need to talk to AOPA. Do this PRIOR to filling-out MedExpress at the FAA.

Last updated June 6, 2024

STEP 4: Fill-out and Submit MEDEXPRESS

MEDEXPRESS is an online system where you enter all your life’s medical history to the

FAA PRIOR to seeing the FAA approved doctor. An FAA approved doctor is known as

an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). A portion of this application can be done and

saved and then returned to later to finish. If you do the final submission, and find there

are errors, you must start a new application from scratch. Do not “submit” until you are

sure it is accurate and complete.

To receive a medical certificate, an online application (MedExpress) must be

accomplished and submitted online first. The confirmation number from this online

submission must be recorded and taken to an FAA approved doctor (AME). It is highly

recommended you print-out the entire MEDEXPRESS application and place in a safe

location to refer to at the next medical exam.

STEP 5: Make Appointment and visit an Aviation Medical

Examiner

Call and make an appointment with an AME who can do the type of exam you want (1

, 3

). Take the MedExpress confirmation number and payment with you to the

appointment.

Most AMEs charge $150 - $200 for the exam.

The actual medical exam must be done by an FAA doctor approved as an AME.

Students may search for AMEs in their area at the FAA website. A partial list of AMEs

is provided below.

If you pass the exam, the AME will issue the FAA Medical to you at that visit. If you lose

your Medical Certificate, you can order a replacement from the FAA. A copy of the

medical certificate is not valid.

Some applicants have a medical condition that must be reviewed by the FAA prior to

issuing the medical certificate. It is strongly recommended prospective students apply

for the medical certificate 4-5 months in advance of attending the Flight Science degree.

STEP 6: Send copy of medical certificate to Program

Coordinator

Once you receive a medical certificate, scan or take a clear picture of the medical

certificate and send to the program coordinator at flight@reedleycollege.edu

Reedley College does not endorse or recommend AMEs. Below is a list generated from

the FAA website.

Last updated June 6, 2024

Aviation Medical Examiners near Reedley College

As of May 25, 2018

AMEs Who Can do 1

, 2

, and 3

Class Medical Exams

ATMAJIAN, TIMOTHY 3030 N. FRESNO STREET, SUITE 101, FRESNO CA

93703 PHONE: (559) 227-1622

SEVEL, GARRY S 6121 N. Thesta Street Suite 110, FRESNO CA 93710

PHONE: (559) 432-5633

LICHTENSTEIN, RON 2210 E Illinois Ave Suite 406, FRESNO CA 93701

PHONE: (559) 486-8888

LAM, HENRY M 450 E. YOSEMITE AVENUE, SUITE D, MERCED CA 95340

Phone: (209) 722-3924

NEVATT, GEORGE W 394 E. YOSEMITE AVENUE, STE200, MERCED, CA 95340

Phone: (209) 383-3990

BERMUDEZ, RITA 630 ALHAMBRA BLVD, SACRAMENTO CA 95816

Phone: (916) 444-7137

DUGDALE, WILLIAM R 3400 ELVAS AVENUE, SACRAMENTO CA 95819

Phone (916) 869-7070

KOMIN, MICHAEL L 1150 E. LERDO HIGHWAY #C, SHAFTER CA 93263

Phone: (661) 630-5890

PATEL, JAGDISH 644 W 12TH ST, TRACY CA 95376

Phone: (209) 832-8984

PRIEST, ALLEN E 6600 MERCY CT STE 210 , FAIR OAKS, CA 95628

Phone: (916) 967-8201

ROOT, DAVID 2708 MERCANTILE DRIVE, RANCHO CORDOVA, CA 95742

Phone: (916) 287-4420

WARWICK, JOHN L 205 W GRANGER. MODESTO CA 95350

Phone: (209) 579-9930

Last updated June 6, 2024

AMEs Who Can Do 2nd & 3rd Class Medical Exams only

VERMA, YASH PAL 1850 WHITSON STREET, SELMA CA 93662

PHONE: (559) 896-1414

EWING, WILLIE B 784 N LEMOORE AVE. LEMOORE CA 93245

Phone: (559) 924-5358

BATRA, SANJEEV 1307 NORTH COMMERCE STREET, STOCKTON CA 95202

Phone: (209) 464-7757

HARRIS, MATTICE F 1448 FLORIDA AVENUE, MODESTO CA 95350

Phone: (209) 523-1884

HOLIHAN, RICHARD C. 600 COFFEE ROAD, MODESTO CA 95355

Phone: (209) 524-1211