Find an AME in North Carolina

How to pick an AME

First, second or third class

The FAA ties each class to the privileges you use: first class for airline transport pilot (ATP) privileges, second class for commercial pilot privileges, third class for private or recreational flying. You may apply for any class whose standards you meet, and you don't need an ATP certificate to get a first-class medical.^[6] See how to get your first FAA medical for how long each class lasts.

Senior AMEs

Every AME can do second- and third-class exams. Only a Senior AME, who holds added FAA authority, can do first-class exams.^[7] If you want a first-class medical, check that the AME you book is a Senior AME. Of the 5 HIMS AMEs listed in North Carolina, the FAA list marks 5 as Senior AMEs.

HIMS AMEs

The FAA says HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) AMEs are trained to evaluate pilots for substance- or alcohol-related conditions or other mental conditions, and can provide the sponsorship and monitoring the FAA sometimes requires for medical certification.^[1][5] Whether you need one depends on what the FAA asks for in your case; your AME or the FAA can tell you.

BasicMed

BasicMed lets some pilots fly without an FAA medical certificate. Among other conditions you need a U.S. driver's license and must have held an FAA medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006, so a first-time student still needs one FAA medical first. Flights under BasicMed can't be for compensation or hire and have aircraft, passenger, altitude and speed limits.^[8] Commercial pilot privileges need at least a second-class medical.^[6]

Before you go: MedXPress and what to bring

Fill in the application (FAA Form 8500-8) online in FAA MedXPress; you need only an email address to open an account.^[5] Keep the confirmation number, and see the AME within 60 days, or the application drops out of the system.^[4] Bring the confirmation number, a government-issued ID and copies of any medical records. For some conditions the FAA wants a detailed Clinical Progress Note from a visit no more than 90 days before the exam; a patient-portal After Visit Summary isn't enough.^[4]

Regional Flight Surgeons

Each FAA region has a Regional Flight Surgeon (RFS) office. Under FAA Order 8520.2G the RFS selects and oversees the AMEs in that region,^[7] and the FAA's AME Guide lists the RFS among the FAA physicians who can sign a medical certificate.^[6]