# Part-MED Medical Certification: Classes, Validity, and Fitness to Fly

> Review Part-MED medical certificate classes, validity periods, issue and renewal rules, and limits on licence use after medical deterioration.

- **Subject:** 010 — Air Law
- **Section:** 010-04 — Personnel Licensing
- **Topic code:** 010-04-03
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-03-27
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/air-law/personnel-licensing/aircrew-regulation-annex-iv-part-med/

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**Part-MED** regulates the medical requirements for aircrew. Medical fitness is essential for aviation safety, and without a valid medical certificate, a licence cannot be exercised.

## Medical Certificates (MED.A.030)
The type of medical certificate must correspond to the licence held:

*   **Class 1:** Required for **CPL, MPL, and ATPL** (professional licences).
*   **Class 2:** Required for **PPL**, BPL (balloons), and SPL (sailplanes) in **non-commercial** operations.
*   **LAPL:** Required for the light aircraft pilot licence (LAPL).

*Note: A Class 1 certificate includes the privileges of Class 2 and LAPL.*

## Issue and Renewal
*   **Initial Issue:**
    *   **Class 1:** Can only be issued by an **Aeromedical Centre (AeMC)**.
    *   **Class 2:** Can be issued by an AeMC or an Aeromedical Examiner (AME).
*   **Revalidation and Renewal:** Both Class 1 and Class 2 can be revalidated/renewed by an AeMC or an AME.

## Validity of Class 2 Certificate (MED.A.045)
Validity depends on the pilot's age:
*   **Under 40 years:** 60 months (5 years).
*   **Between 40 and 50 years:** 24 months (2 years).
*   **Over 50 years:** 12 months (1 year).

## Decrease in Medical Fitness (MED.A.020)
Licence holders shall **not exercise** their privileges if:
1.  They are aware of any **decrease in their medical fitness** that might render them unable to safely exercise those privileges.
2.  They take **medication** (prescribed or non-prescribed) that might interfere with safety.
3.  They receive medical or surgical treatment that might affect their capacity.

### Psychoactive Substances
The problematic use of psychoactive substances (alcohol, opioids, sedatives, etc.) disqualifies any person with safety-critical functions. Applicants with a mental or behavioural disorder due to alcohol or other use or misuse of psychoactive substances shall be assessed as **unfit** pending recovery and satisfactory psychiatric evaluation.

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