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Third-Class Neurologic Standards

FAR 67.309 — Third-Class Neurologic Standards

FAR 67.309 sets neurologic standards for a third-class medical: no epilepsy, unexplained loss of consciousness, or disqualifying neurologic conditions.

In Plain English

FAR 67.309 lists the neurologic standards you must meet to hold a third-class airman medical certificate — the medical most private and recreational pilots use. The rule has two parts.

First, you cannot have an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of:

  • Epilepsy;
  • A disturbance of consciousness without a satisfactory medical explanation; or
  • A transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without a satisfactory medical explanation.

Second, even if your condition isn't on that list, the Federal Air Surgeon can still disqualify you if any other seizure disorder, disturbance of consciousness, or neurologic condition — based on your case history and qualified medical judgment — either makes you unable to safely exercise the privileges of your certificate now, or is reasonably expected to do so during the certificate's validity period.

Why it matters: a sudden seizure or blackout in flight is catastrophic. The FAA's standard is conservative because pilot incapacitation directly threatens safety. Unexplained neurologic events typically require workup and possibly a special issuance before flying.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 67.309
§ 67.309 Neurologic. Neurologic standards for a third-class airman medical certificate are: (a) No established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following: (1) Epilepsy; (2) A disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause; or (3) A transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause. (b) No other seizure disorder, disturbance of consciousness, or neurologic condition 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.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What neurologic conditions automatically disqualify an applicant from a third-class medical certificate?
Per FAR 67.309, an established history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, a disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation, or a transient loss of nervous system function without satisfactory explanation are disqualifying.
Q2If a pilot had a single unexplained fainting episode, can they still get a third-class medical?
Not automatically — FAR 67.309(a)(2) disqualifies any disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation, so the cause must be identified and explained, or a special issuance pursued.
Q3Who decides whether a neurologic condition not specifically listed is disqualifying?
Under FAR 67.309(b), the Federal Air Surgeon makes that determination based on the case history and qualified medical judgment about whether the condition affects safe exercise of certificate privileges.
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Including medical certificates
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Medical class explained
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
§ 67.113
First-Class Medical Standards
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FAR 67.309 — Third-Class Medical Neurologic Standards