Third-Class Medical Eye Standards

FAR 67.303 — Third-Class Medical Eye Standards

FAR 67.303 sets eye standards for a third-class airman medical: 20/40 distant and near vision, color perception, and no disqualifying eye conditions.

In Plain English

FAR 67.303 lists the vision requirements you must meet to hold a third-class airman medical certificate — the medical most student and private pilots use. If you don't meet these standards, the FAA Aeromedical branch won't issue your medical, and you can't legally exercise pilot privileges.

The rule covers four areas:

Distant vision: 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction. If you need glasses or contacts to reach 20/40, your medical will carry a limitation requiring you to wear corrective lenses while flying.
Near vision: 20/40 or better at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without correction. This matters for reading charts, checklists, and the panel.
Color vision: Ability to perceive colors necessary for safe airman duties (think light-gun signals, sectional symbology, position lights).
Eye health: No acute or chronic pathological condition of the eye or surrounding tissue that impairs function, is likely to worsen, or could be aggravated by flying.

If you wear corrective lenses, expect a "must wear corrective lenses" restriction printed on your medical certificate.

Would you catch this on the written? Try 5 questions below — no signup

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 67.303

§ 67.303 Eye. Eye standards for a third-class airman medical certificate are: (a) Distant visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/40 vision, the person may be eligible only on the condition that corrective lenses are worn while exercising the privileges of an airman certificate. (b) Near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. (c) Ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties. (d) No acute or chronic pathological condition of either eye or adnexa that interferes with the proper function of an eye, that may reasonably be expected to progress to that degree, or that may reasonably be expected to be aggravated by flying.

Read the reg? Now prove it

Would you catch these on the written?

Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.

Live demo · no account needed

1/5

You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

Keys A–D answer · Enter continues

PPL5 sample questions — in the app, the drill engine covers 88 PPL topics and every answer cites its source

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What are the distant and near vision standards for a third-class medical?

Per FAR 67.303, you need 20/40 or better in each eye separately for both distant vision and near vision (at 16 inches), with or without corrective lenses.

Q2If you need glasses to see 20/40, can you still hold a third-class medical?

Yes. FAR 67.303(a) allows it, but your medical will be issued on the condition that you wear corrective lenses while exercising the privileges of your airman certificate.

Q3Besides acuity, what other eye requirements does FAR 67.303 impose?

FAR 67.303(c) and (d) require the ability to perceive colors necessary for safe airman duties and no acute or chronic eye condition that impairs function, may progress, or could be aggravated by flying.

Practice this with our AI examiner

Examiner Reed adapts to your responses and probes deeper on weak spots — full ACS coverage, not a script.

Studying for a checkride?

Private Pilot Requirements

Including medical certificates

How to Become a Pilot

Medical class explained

Related Sections in Part 67

§ 67.1

Medical Certificate Applicability

§ 67.101

First-Class Medical Eligibility