Policy Will Deny Cert Instead Of Requesting Additional Information

Fourteen aviation associations and unions have sent a letter to Federal Air Surgeon Susan A. Northrup, MD, MPH, requesting a stay in implementation and to consider withdrawing a change in policy the FAA recently announced that affects the handling of medical certificate applications.

The significantly altered policy that takes effect on January 1, 2025, is that for the processing of medical certificates that require additional information, the FAA will now deny the application rather than request additional information following deferral. According to some pilot groups and medical examiners, the change is driven by the FAA’s interpretation of Section 801 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

The FAA’s use of denials, rather than the currently used deferrals, will significantly increase unneeded confusion for applicants and cause unintended consequences for those receiving an initial denial.

The initial denials will be reportable on future medical applications as well as other applications including job applications which ask whether a pilot has any previous medical denials.

The implications of airmen receiving and reporting medical denials and the need to educate hiring managers about this change are daunting and could result in many instances of delays in training and/or lost employment opportunities.

The letter acknowledges and applauds the Office of Aerospace Medicine for its recent record of accomplishments grounded in progressive thinking and industry collaboration to effect positive changes in medical certifications for both the FAA and pilots. It also supports the agency’s desire to have all pertinent information submitted at the time of initial application, as that streamlines the administrative process and reduces the workload on staff to evaluate the applications.

The letter goes on to point out, however, how this change in policy seems contrary to the agency’s goal of “getting to yes.”

FMI: www.faa.gov