AME Comments on Application for Aviation Medical Certification FAA 8500-8

I. Code of Federal Regulations

Legal References: 14 CFR 67.413(a)(b)

Legal Extract (Applies to All Classes):

1. Whenever the Administrator finds that additional medical information or history is necessary to determine whether an applicant for or the holder of a medical certificate meets the medical standards for it, the Administrator requests that person to furnish that information or to authorize any clinic, hospital, physician, or other person to release to the Administrator all available information or records concerning that history. If the applicant or holder fails to provide the requested medical information or history or to authorize the release so requested, the Administrator may suspend, modify, or revoke all medical certificates the airman holds or may, in the case of an applicant, deny the application for an airman medical certificate.

2. If an airman medical certificate is suspended or modified under paragraph (a) of this section, that suspension or modification remains in effect until the requested information, history, or authorization is provided to the FAA and until the Federal Air Surgeon determines whether the person meets the medical standards under this part.

II. Examination Techniques

Additional medical information may be furnished through additional history taking, further clinical examination procedures, and supplemental laboratory procedures.

On rare occasions, even surgical procedures such as biopsies may be indicated. As a designee of the FAA Administrator, the Examiner has limited authority to apply 14 CFR 67.413 in processing applications for medical certification. When an Examiner determines that there is a need for additional medical information, based upon history and findings, the Examiner is authorized to request prior hospital and outpatient records and to request supplementary examinations including laboratory testing and examinations by appropriate medical specialists. The Examiner should discuss the need with the applicant. The applicant should be advised of the types of additional examinations required and the type of medical specialist to be consulted. Responsibility for ensuring that these examinations are forwarded and that any charges or fees are paid will rest with the applicant. All reports should be forwarded to the AMCD, unless otherwise directed (such as by a Regional Flight Surgeon).

Whenever, in the Examiner's opinion, medical records are necessary to evaluate an applicant's medical fitness, the Examiner should request that the applicant sign an authorization for the Release of Medical Information. The Examiner should forward this authorization to the custodian of the applicant's records so that the information contained in the record may be obtained for attachment to the report of medical examination.