FAR 61.23 — Medical Certificate Requirements

This regulation specifies which class of medical certificate is required for each type of pilot operation, and how long each class remains valid. A first-class medical is required for airline transport pilot privileges, a second-class for commercial privileges, and a third-class for private and student pilot privileges. Duration depends on the class and the pilot's age: a third-class medical is valid for 60 calendar months for pilots under 40 and 24 calendar months for pilots 40 or older. BasicMed is an alternative under certain conditions. Student pilots must hold at least a third-class medical (or use BasicMed) before flying solo.