Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Application Process for Medical Certification

Applicant History - Item 18. Medical History
x. Other illness, disability, or surgery

The FAA requires that pilot applicants describe the nature of these illnesses in the EXPLANATIONS box. If additional records, tests, or specialty reports are necessary in order to make a certification decision, the applicant should so be advised. If the applicant does not wish to provide the information requested by the AME, the AME should defer issuance.

If the applicant wishes to have the FAA review the application and decide what ancillary documentation is needed, the AME should defer issuance of the medical certificate and forward the completed FAA Form 8500-8 to the AMCD. If the AME proceeds to obtain documentation, but all data will not be received with the 2 weeks, FAA Form 8500-8 should be transmitted immediately to the AMCD with a note that additional documents will be forwarded later under separate cover.