FAA MedXPress Information

Apr 2014

Abbreviated Briefing:

MedXPress is the official FAA Online Database for Entering Medical History in advance of the formal Aviation Medical Exam
Pilots must register for a MedXPress Account with FAA
Read and accept the Pilot's Bill or Rights
Once registered, enter and save info about your medical history
Sessions TimeOut after 20 minutes of inactivity (save your work periodically)
Between sessions, you can your work prior to formal Submit
Saved Drafts of your Medical Application Remain on File for 30 days
When satisfied with the accuracy of your data, your application
After Final Submission, you may not change your answers
Arrange Appointment and Review with AME within 60 days of Final Submission

Guidance is compiled and interpreted by professional pilots and physicians at FlightPhysical.com from the 2014 AME Guide, FAA and FDA web data (www.FAA.gov & www.FDA.gov), instructions specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual, Federal Air Surgeon Bulletins from 1999-2015, and 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 67 (the FARs).

The FAA MedXPress system allows anyone requiring an FAA Medical Certificate or Student Pilot Medical Certificate to electronically complete the FAA Form 8500-8. Information entered into their MedXPress will be transmitted to the FAA and will be available for your AME to review at the time of your medical examination.

NOTE: A medical examination by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is required to complete the certification process. The FAA MedXPress system is not available for submission of FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist exams as of March 2014.

FlightPhysical.com provides a practice form for review and information only. Questions and instructions are reproduced as accurately as possible to allow applicants to collect and prepare for actual application with improved understanding of these complex requirements. Nothing on the FlightPhysical.com practice page will be transmitted anywhere--instructions are for applicant understanding prior to submitting the actual FAA Form 8500-8 which will be irrevocable except through your actual AME. If already familiar with the questions then applicants should proceed directly to the real MedXpress Medical History Form

Once your actual history is saved, you have 60 days to review it with an AME in conjunction with an Aviation Medical Exam or it will be removed from the FAA electronic database, and you will have to repeat the process from scratch.

If there are no errors you will be taken to a screen that tells you your exam has been successfully submitted. The screen displays your confirmation number and gives you the option of looking at a summary of your exam application by clicking on the Exam Summary button. Write down the confirmation number and click on the logout link on the left side of the screen. You will receive a Form 8500-8 confirmation email that will also provide your confirmation number. If you lose your confirmation number you can obtain it by contacting the FAA's AVS National IT Service Desk by email at:

or by phone at: 1-877-AVS-NSD1 (1-877-287-6731).

The verbatim FAA warning about fraud is as follows:

- FAA Warning -

Whoever in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or who makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations, or entry, may be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both" (Title 18 U.S. Code. Secs. 1001; 3571).

Commentary:

Reports about a pilot applicant's medical history are taken seriously. As you are filling out your history, you can save your work and change items freely. Once you are satisfied that everything is correct to the best of your understanding, then submit your history online. After the submit step, you should will not be able to alter or retract statements you made about your past medical issues. If you do make a mistake, then you will have to discuss it with the AME and s/he will be able to make a note about the correction or mistake.

The FAA takes fraud very seriously. It is illegal to make disingenuous statements of omission or commission on your medical application form. To be blunt: it is a federal crime to knowlingly lie or to conveniently leave out information on your medical application. If you think your condition is insignificant, talk it over with the AME and let him/her make the decision.

Related Pages:

This page discussed FAA MedXPress Information

Reminder: use FlightPhysical.com to familiarize yourself with aviation medical regulations and guidelines, but always discuss your specific situation with one or more AMEs before dedicating resources toward expensive clinical workups. Find an AME now