FAR 67.113 — First-Class Medical Standards
FAR 67.113 sets the general medical standards for a first-class airman medical certificate, covering diabetes, disqualifying conditions, and medications.
In Plain English
FAR 67.113 lays out the general medical standards for a first-class airman medical certificate — the certificate required for ATP privileges. It focuses on three broad areas:
- Diabetes mellitus: You cannot have an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes that requires insulin or any other hypoglycemic drug for control.
- Other diseases, defects, or limitations: Any other organic, functional, or structural condition is disqualifying if the Federal Air Surgeon determines, based on your case history and qualified medical judgment, that it makes you unable to safely perform your duties — or could reasonably be expected to do so during the validity period of the certificate.
- Medications and treatments: Any medication or treatment is disqualifying if the Federal Air Surgeon similarly finds it unsafe for performing airman duties, either now or during the certificate's duration.
This matters operationally because first-class privileges support air carrier operations, where incapacitation risk has the highest consequences. The standard isn't just current fitness — it's also predictive fitness through the life of the certificate.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 67.113§ 67.113 General medical condition.
The general medical standards for a first-class airman medical certificate are:
(a) No established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus that requires insulin or any other hypoglycemic drug for control.
(b) No other organic, functional, or structural disease, defect, or limitation that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on the case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the condition involved, finds—
(1) Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held; or
(2) May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.
(c) No medication or other treatment that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on the case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the medication or other treatment involved, finds—
(1) Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held; or
(2) May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is the rule on diabetes for a first-class medical certificate?
Per FAR 67.113(a), an applicant cannot have an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus that requires insulin or any other hypoglycemic drug for control.
Q2Who decides whether a medical condition or medication is disqualifying under the general standards?
Under FAR 67.113(b) and (c), the Federal Air Surgeon makes that determination based on the applicant's case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment.
Q3Does FAR 67.113 only consider whether you can fly safely today?
No. FAR 67.113(b)(2) and (c)(2) also disqualify conditions or treatments that may reasonably be expected to make the person unable to safely exercise the privileges for the maximum duration of the certificate.
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Related Sections in Part 67
§ 67.1
Medical Certificate Applicability
§ 67.101
First-Class Medical Eligibility
§ 67.103
First-Class Medical Eye Standards
§ 67.105
First-Class Medical ENT Standards
§ 67.107
First-Class Medical Mental Standards
§ 67.109
First-Class Medical Neurologic Standards
§ 67.111
First-Class Medical Cardiovascular
§ 67.115
Discretionary Medical Issuance