BasicMed and FAA Medical

How to get or keep the medical you need to fly, including BasicMed and FAA medical exams, plus local doctors who can help.

Which medical do I need?

There are three common paths:

• An FAA medical certificate. You get this from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). It is needed for some kinds of flying, such as flying for hire.
• BasicMed. An option for many private pilots. Your exam can be done by any state-licensed physician, often your own doctor.
• Sport pilot. For daytime flying, a sport pilot can use a valid U.S. driver’s license in place of a medical, as long as certain conditions are met. Under the FAA’s new MOSAIC rule, sport pilots who want to fly at night need an FAA medical or BasicMed. See our MOSAIC page.

BasicMed in plain language

BasicMed lets you fly without an FAA medical certificate, as long as you meet a few requirements (FAA BasicMed page, updated June 3, 2026).

To start flying under BasicMed:

1. Hold a U.S. driver’s license, and have held an FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006.
2. Fill out Section 2 of the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC), FAA Form 8700-2.
3. Get a physical exam from a state-licensed physician, who completes Section 3. The doctor does not have to be an AME.
4. Take a free online BasicMed course. The FAA lists two: one from AOPA and one from the Mayo Clinic.
5. Keep the signed checklist and your course certificate with your logbook.

To keep it current (FAA AC 68-1A):

• See a doctor for a new BasicMed exam at least every 48 months.
• Retake the online course at least every 24 calendar months.

What you can fly under BasicMed (FAA BasicMed page, updated June 3, 2026):

• An aircraft authorized to carry no more than 7 people, with a maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less.
• No more than 6 passengers.
• Day or night, VFR or IFR, within the United States, at or below 18,000 feet MSL, and no faster than 250 knots.
• Not for compensation or hire.

Some medical conditions, such as certain heart, neurological, or mental health conditions, need a one-time FAA special issuance before you can use BasicMed. The FAA BasicMed page has the full list.

Local doctors for BasicMed exams

Confirm before visiting. These listings come from our older website and may be out of date. Please call ahead to make sure the doctor still offers BasicMed exams and is taking appointments.

Dr. Jess Panza
Jessica Panza, ND
504 E 8th St, Suite A, Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 452-5000
drjesspanza.com

Sequim Medical Associates
David Lewis, DO
840 N 5th Ave, Suite 2100, Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 582-2850
sequimmed.com/dr-lewis

Coastal Health
Alisha Detorres, ND
621 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 952-7310
dralishadetorres.com

Remember, any state-licensed physician can do your BasicMed exam, so it’s worth asking your own doctor first. Bring the CMEC form with you.

FAA medical exams (AMEs)

Confirm before visiting. These listings also come from our older website. Please call ahead.

Northwest Aviation Medicine
Keith M. Lemmon, MD (Senior AME, HIMS AME)
Reema Sikka, MD (Senior HIMS AME)
Tacoma Narrows Airport (TIW), 1080 26th Ave NW, Hangar B-11, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(503) 447-8902 or (253) 313-0935
nwaviationmedicine.com

Gary Pingrey, DO (Senior AME)
12818 Purdy Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 970-7737

To find other AMEs near you, use the FAA Designee Locator.

Know a doctor we should list?

If you know a local doctor who accepts BasicMed appointments and isn’t listed here, please email our Web Editor at webeditor@eaa430.org with their contact information. It helps your fellow pilots.

Questions about this page? Email EAA-HQ@eaa430.org.