NOTE: Item 1 (this item) is not required for FAA ATC Applicants and Incumbents.
Exam Type Selection
The exam type selection screens display a series of questions to determine the appropriate form 8500-8 questions to display and complete for the applicable FAA Medical Clearance or Certification. Accurate responses are essential to proper routing and processing of your application.
The first question asks “Why are you applying for a Medical Certificate or Clearance?”. Select the response that best represents the reason for your application.
-- If “Required for my employment” option is selected, Question 2 for Exam Type Selection will be presented.
-- If “All Other” option is selected, the “Pilot's Bill of Rights” will be presented followed by the form 8500-8.
The second question asks “Who is your employer?”. Select the response that best describes why you are completing the application.
-- If “Non-government”, “Contract Company to FAA/DOT”, “Government Agency other than FAA/DOT” is selected, the Pilot's Bill of Rights will be displayed followed by the form 8500-8.
-- If “FAA/DOT” option is selected, Exam Selection Question 3 will be displayed.
-- If “Not yet employed by the FAA. I received a tentative offer letter from the FAA to become an Air Traffic Controller” is selected; the FAA ATC Applicant Verification Screen will be displayed.
The third question asks FAA employees to select the purpose of their application. Select the response that best describes why you are completing the application.
- Medical Certificate: Get your medical exam from an AME; they issue just the medical certificate (like a 3rd Class).
- Student Pilot Certificate: Apply for this separately, usually through your CFI or by registering on the FAA's IACRA system (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application).
- Submission: Your CFI or the flight school (if Part 141) helps process the application, and the FAA mails the plastic certificate later.
- No Combined Certificate: AMEs don't issue the combined form anymore.
- Separate Applications: You'll have two distinct documents: your medical certificate and your student pilot certificate.
- No Expiration: The new student pilot certificate is plastic and doesn't expire.
Order Doesn't Matter: You can get the medical first or the student certificate first; there's no required order, but you need both before your first solo flight.