What is MedXPress?
Last Verified 2 Dec 2013
The FAA launched the MedXPress system back in 2007. This medical data collection strategy allows and mandates that anyone who requires an FAA Medical Certificate or Student Pilot Medical Certificate must electronically complete the FAA Form 8500-8. Information entered into MedXPress will be securely transmitted to the FAA and will be available to your AME for review, endorsement and forwarding at the time of your flight physical. You must record/remember your PIN and bring it to your appointment.
NOTE: A medical examination by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is required to complete the pilot certification process. The FAA MedXPress system is not available for submission of Agency Air Trafic Controller (ATC) exams at this time.
Q. How do I start?
First-time users should go to the FAA's request account page and complete the form. You will be asked to supply your name and e-mail address. Your e- mail address will be used as your account name when logging into FAA MedXPress. You will also be prompted to answer three security questions that will be used to verify your identity if you forget your password or you need help with your account. After submitting your form, an e-mail containing your initial password and instructions for completing the account request process will be sent to the address provided.
Q. How do I log in?
Once you receive an e-mail confirmation that your account has been created, you can you can return to the
FAA MedXPress login page (launches in new window) and use your e-mail address with the temporary password supplied in the confirmation e-mail to access the site.
Q. Why am I being told to change my password?
Your account confirmation e-mail will include a temporary password to let you log into FAA MedXPress. So that your account remains secure, you will be required to change your password when you first log in. Passwords must begin with a letter, contain between 8 and 12 characters and include at least three of the following four character groups: English upper case characters (A through Z); English lower case characters (a through z); Numerals (0 through 9); Non-alphabetic characters (such as !, $, #, %). Passwords are case sensitive.
Q. What if I forget my password?
If you forget your password, you can click the
Forgot your password? link on the FAA's
FAA MedXPress login page (launches in new window) and follow their instructions. You will be required to enter your e-mail address and answer your three security questions. A new temporary password will be sent to your e-mail account.
Q. The site says that my account is locked. What should I do?
If you do not enter the correct password after three consecutive tries, your account will be locked for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, you may try entering your e-mail address and password again. If you have forgotten your password, click the
Forgot your password? link on the FAA's
FAA MedXPress login page (launches in new window) and follow their instructions.
Q. How will an AME access my information?
Upon successful submission of your electronic Form 8500-8, you will be given a confirmation number. Your
AME will be able to access your exam using this number. Take your confirmation number with you when you arrive at the AME's office for your flight physical. Your AME will NOT be able to access your exam without the confirmation PIN.
Q. What if I do not know how to answer one or more of the questions on the Form 8500-8?
Specific help for information to be entered on the Form 8500-8 can be found in the AME Guide Web site. Each item on the form has an associated link to the AME Guide. Access the specific page in the AME Guide by clicking on the question mark beside the item on the form. You should make every attempt to complete the form to the best of your ability. If you are unsure of the information that is to be entered on the form, consult your AME at the time of your exam. Your AME will be able to make corrections to the information that you provide.
Q. What are the browser requirements for FAA MedXPress?
Unfortunately, as we all witnessed during the Affordable Health Care Act (ObamaCare) launch, the federal government is neither farsighted nor proactive when it comes to proven, secure, open source Internet technologies. So for security and compatibility reasons, the FAA currently recommends that you use the latest Internet Explorer version. Most of the other superior modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc) will also work if they are up-to-date. FAA MedXPress requires that JavaScript be enabled on any of these browsers. The FAA also recommends that the Adobe Reader plug-in, version 5.0 or above, be installed. If you have problems with any of the functionality or display of FAA MedXPress screens, it is recommended that you install Internet Explorer version 8.0 or higher.
Q. How long will my application remain in the system?
If your application is not submitted within 30 days of creation, it will be removed from the system. After your application is submitted to the FAA, your medical examination must occur within 60 days or your application will be deleted. Once the certification process is complete, your application will be retained indefinitely.
For help with issues on any of the following:
- Your FAA MedXPress account, logging in, account lock-out, etc.
- Guidance with the operation of FAA MedXPress
- General troubleshooting
Contact AVS National IT Service Desk:
- By e-mail at: 9-NATL-AVS-IT-ServiceDesk@faa.gov (Monitored Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., CST)
- By phone at: 1-877-AVS-NSD1 or 1-877-287-6731 (Monitored 24/7)
AVS National IT Service Desk cannot answer questions related to medical entries on the Form 8500-8. For specific help regarding information on the form, consult the AME Guide by clicking on the Help link next to the associated field.
Note: You must answer all three security questions correctly in order for AVS National IT Service Desk to reset your password.
Last Verified 2 Dec 2013
