FAA updates MedXPress to speed up medical certification
Changes stem from AOPA, industry feedback
The FAA has updated the MedXPress system to streamline the medical certification process, the first of “many steps” the agency plans to take to make it “clearer and faster.”
The updated MedXPress landing page now features (under the “Help” tab) links to resources such as system guides, an FAQ, an aviation medical examiner (AME) locator, and the FAA’s online Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.
Among the updates are new on-screen prompts that encourage applicants to review requirements for any known medical conditions in advance. First-time users are also provided with guidance on what to expect, helping them arrive at their AME appointments with all necessary documentation ready for direct upload into the FAA’s review system.
The updates come after a meeting the FAA held in April with aviation industry stakeholders, including AOPA. Before the meeting, the FAA planned to implement a policy that would have resulted in immediate denials for incomplete medical packages.
Instead, the FAA agreed to several changes—including the MedXPress improvements. At the same time, AOPA and the other stakeholders agreed to partner with the FAA to ramp up medical education efforts, and released a comprehensive medical checklist with guidance on what documentation the FAA may require when submitting a medical application.
