BasicMed is an FAA program that lets private pilots fly many general aviation aircraft without holding a traditional FAA medical certificate. Instead, you get a physical exam from any state-licensed physician, complete a free online medical education course, and keep a valid U.S. driver’s license. The program took effect in 2017 under 14 CFR Part 68, and a 2024 expansion roughly doubled the aircraft weight limit and added a passenger seat.
Who Qualifies for BasicMed
Three baseline requirements apply. You need a valid U.S. driver’s license and must comply with any medical restrictions on it. You must have held at least one FAA medical certificate of any class issued after July 14, 2006. That certificate can be expired, but it cannot have been revoked or suspended, and if it was a special issuance, it cannot have been withdrawn.1Federal Aviation Administration. FAA Notice N 8900.420 – Demonstrating Eligibility to Operate Under BasicMed
That prior-medical requirement matters. If you’ve never held any FAA medical certificate since July 2006, BasicMed isn’t available yet. You’ll need to obtain at least one traditional medical first. Pilots who once held a medical and let it lapse years ago are fine, as long as it wasn’t pulled for cause.
Conditions That Require a One-Time Special Issuance
Certain diagnosed conditions require you to obtain a special-issuance medical certificate from the FAA once before you’re eligible for BasicMed. After that clearance, you can operate under BasicMed going forward. The conditions fall into three groups:2Federal Aviation Administration. BasicMed
- Cardiovascular: myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease that has required treatment, cardiac valve replacement, or heart replacement. Each diagnosis needs its own one-time special issuance.
- Neurological: epilepsy, unexplained disturbance of consciousness, or unexplained transient loss of nervous system function.
- Mental health: a severe personality disorder manifested through overt acts, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or substance dependence within the previous two years.
The special issuance only has to happen once per qualifying diagnosis.
What You Can Fly Under BasicMed
The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act expanded the aircraft limits effective November 18, 2024. Under the current rules, a BasicMed pilot can fly an aircraft that carries up to 7 occupants (pilot plus 6 passengers), has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, and is not a transport category rotorcraft certificated under Part 29.3Federal Register. Regulatory Updates to BasicMed The old caps were 6 occupants and 6,000 pounds, so the new limits pull piston twins and many turboprops into the program.
Flight restrictions were not changed. You must stay at or below 18,000 feet MSL, keep indicated airspeed at 250 knots or less, and cannot fly for compensation or hire. Ordinary private-pilot expense-sharing under Part 61 still applies.4eCFR. 14 CFR 61.113 – Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command
On international flights, the regulation allows operations outside the United States only if the destination country authorizes it. In practice most countries follow ICAO medical standards and require a formal medical certificate, so BasicMed alone usually won’t get you across the border.4eCFR. 14 CFR 61.113 – Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command
How to Get Started
Two steps qualify you, and the order doesn’t matter.
Physical Exam With a State-Licensed Physician
Visit any state-licensed physician and have them complete FAA Form 8700-2, the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist. The exam covers heart, lungs, neurological function, vision, hearing, blood pressure, mental health, and anything else the physician considers necessary based on medical judgment.5eCFR. 14 CFR 68.7 – Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist
The physician signs the form only if they’re not aware of any medical condition that, as currently treated, could interfere with your ability to safely operate an aircraft.6Federal Aviation Administration. FAA Form 8700-2 – Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist Results don’t go to the FAA automatically. You keep the completed checklist in your logbook. Expect to pay roughly $85 to $130 out of pocket, though costs vary and some primary care physicians fold it into a regular office visit.
Online Medical Education Course
Complete a free online course covering aeromedical self-assessment, warning signs of serious medical conditions, and the risks of impairing medications. Two FAA-approved options are available, one from AOPA and one from the Mayo Clinic.2Federal Aviation Administration. BasicMed On completion you receive a certificate, and certain information is transmitted to the FAA, including a release authorizing the FAA to check your driving record through the National Driver Register.7eCFR. 14 CFR 68.3 – Medical Education Course Requirements
Keep both the completed CMEC and the course completion certificate in your logbook. You’re required to produce them on request.
Staying Current
BasicMed has two recurring deadlines:8Federal Aviation Administration. Advisory Circular 68-1A – BasicMed
- Repeat the physician exam and CMEC every 48 months.
- Retake the online medical education course every 24 months.
You also need a valid U.S. driver’s license at all times. If your license expires or is suspended, your BasicMed privileges lapse until you fix it. And as with any pilot, you cannot fly if you know of any medical condition that would make you unable to operate safely, regardless of what any checklist says.
Two Situations Worth Knowing
Safety Pilots and Required Crewmembers
BasicMed covers more than just pilot-in-command duties. The current text of 14 CFR 61.113(i) authorizes a pilot to act as pilot in command or serve as a required flightcrew member under BasicMed, which includes serving as a safety pilot for someone practicing under the hood.4eCFR. 14 CFR 61.113 – Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command
Check Your Insurance Policy
Some aircraft insurance policies require the pilot to hold a current FAA medical certificate. If your policy has that language and you switch to BasicMed, you could be flying legally under the FAA rules and still be uninsured. Before dropping your traditional medical, call your insurer and confirm the policy covers BasicMed operations. If there’s any ambiguity, ask for a written endorsement.