asset_type: validity-period

body: How long a federally required medical certificate remains valid for each regulated transport occupation, and what it depends on. FAA pilot medicals (14 CFR 61.23) cascade by class and age — a first-class certificate carries first-class privileges to the 12th month for pilots under 40 but only the 6th month at 40 or older, then downgrades to second- and third-class privileges on a schedule; commercial drivers need a medical examiner's certificate on a cycle set by 49 CFR 391.45; merchant mariner medical certificates run 2 years for STCW service but 5 years for national-only credentials, and only 1 year for mariners under 18 (46 CFR 10.301). Same question — 'how long is my medical good for?' — three regulators, three completely different answer structures. Answers 'how long is a first class medical valid for a 45-year-old pilot?', 'how often does a truck driver need a DOT physical?', 'why is my mariner medical certificate only valid two years?'

key_field: credential

licence: All sources are eCFR (US government work, public domain). We take facts plus short attributed quotes linking back.

title: How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type

type: dataset


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** first-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Any age

**Operation / activity covered:** a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate

**Valid for:** 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (1) A first-class medical certificate | (i) Under age 40 | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (ii) Age 40 or older | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flightcrew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday. | 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (iii) Any age | a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>

condition: Any age

credential: first-class medical certificate

occupation: pilot (FAA)

title: first-class medical certificate — How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type

type: validity-period


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** first-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Age 40 or older

**Operation / activity covered:** a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification)

**Valid for:** 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (1) A first-class medical certificate | (i) Under age 40 | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (ii) Age 40 or older | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flightcrew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday. | 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (iii) Any age | a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (iv) Under age 40 | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (v) Age 40 or older | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>

condition: Age 40 or older


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** second-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Age 40 or older

**Operation / activity covered:** a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification)

**Valid for:** 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (2) A second-class medical certificate | (i) Any age | an airline transport pilot certificate for second-in-command privileges (other than the operations specified in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.23#p-61.23(d)(1)> paragraph (d)(1) of this section), a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (ii) Under age 40 | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (iii) Age 40 or older | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>

credential: second-class medical certificate

title: second-class medical certificate — How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** third-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Age 40 or older

**Operation / activity covered:** a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification)

**Valid for:** 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (3) A third-class medical certificate | (i) Under age 40 | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (ii) Age 40 or older | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>

credential: third-class medical certificate

title: third-class medical certificate — How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** first-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Under age 40

**Operation / activity covered:** a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification)

**Valid for:** 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (1) A first-class medical certificate | (i) Under age 40 | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (ii) Age 40 or older | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flightcrew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday. | 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (iii) Any age | a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (iv) Under age 40 | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>

condition: Under age 40


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** second-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Under age 40

**Operation / activity covered:** a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification)

**Valid for:** 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (2) A second-class medical certificate | (i) Any age | an airline transport pilot certificate for second-in-command privileges (other than the operations specified in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.23#p-61.23(d)(1)> paragraph (d)(1) of this section), a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (ii) Under age 40 | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** third-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Under age 40

**Operation / activity covered:** a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification)

**Valid for:** 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (3) A third-class medical certificate | (i) Under age 40 | a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver's license as medical qualification) | 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** merchant mariner (US Coast Guard)

**Certificate and class:** medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** all other mariners

**Valid for:** 5 years

**Citation:** 46 CFR 10.301

> ( 2 ) Medical certificates issued to all other mariners will be issued for a maximum period of 5 years.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-C/section-10.301>

condition: all other mariners

credential: medical certificate

occupation: merchant mariner (US Coast Guard)

title: medical certificate — How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type

validity_period: 5 years


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** first-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Age 40 or older

**Operation / activity covered:** an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flightcrew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday

**Valid for:** 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (1) A first-class medical certificate | (i) Under age 40 | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. | | (ii) Age 40 or older | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flightcrew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday. | 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** first-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Under age 40

**Operation / activity covered:** an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots

**Valid for:** 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (1) A first-class medical certificate | (i) Under age 40 | an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** pilot (FAA)

**Certificate and class:** second-class medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** Any age

**Operation / activity covered:** an airline transport pilot certificate for second-in-command privileges

**Valid for:** 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate

**Citation:** 14 CFR 61.23

> (2) A second-class medical certificate | (i) Any age | an airline transport pilot certificate for second-in-command privileges (other than the operations specified in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.23#p-61.23(d)(1)> paragraph (d)(1) of this section), a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate | 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.23>


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** commercial motor vehicle driver (FMCSA)

**Certificate and class:** medical examiner's certificate

**Age / service condition:** Any driver who does not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard, or both

**Valid for:** 12 months

**Citation:** 49 CFR 391.45

> ( f ) Any driver who does not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard, or both, in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.41#p-391.41(b)(10)(i)> § 391.41(b)(10)(i) and who has obtained a medical examiner's certificate under the standards in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.44> § 391.44 , if such driver's most recent medical examination and certification as qualified to drive did not occur during the preceding 12 months;

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.45>

credential: medical examiner's certificate

occupation: commercial motor vehicle driver (FMCSA)

title: medical examiner's certificate — How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type

validity_period: 12 months


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** commercial motor vehicle driver (FMCSA)

**Certificate and class:** medical examiner's certificate

**Age / service condition:** Any driver who has diabetes mellitus treated with insulin for control

**Valid for:** 12 months

**Citation:** 49 CFR 391.45

> ( e ) Any driver who has diabetes mellitus treated with insulin for control and who has obtained a medical examiner's certificate under the standards in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.46> § 391.46 , if such driver's most recent medical examination and certification as qualified to drive did not occur during the preceding 12 months;

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.45>


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** commercial motor vehicle driver (FMCSA)

**Certificate and class:** medically examined and certified as qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle

**Age / service condition:** Any driver who has not been medically examined and certified as qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle during the preceding 24 months

**Valid for:** 24 months

**Citation:** 49 CFR 391.45

> ( b ) Any driver who has not been medically examined and certified as qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle during the preceding 24 months,

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.45>

title: medically examined and certified as qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle — How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type

validity_period: 24 months


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** merchant mariner (US Coast Guard)

**Certificate and class:** medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** All persons employed or engaged onboard vessels to which STCW applies

**Operation / activity covered:** onboard vessels to which STCW applies

**Valid for:** valid for 2 years

**Citation:** 46 CFR 10.301

> ( 1 ) All persons employed or engaged onboard vessels to which STCW applies will be issued a medical certificate valid for 2 years unless the mariner is under the age of 18, in which case the maximum period of validity will be 1 year.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-C/section-10.301>

operation: onboard vessels to which STCW applies

validity_period: valid for 2 years


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** merchant mariner (US Coast Guard)

**Certificate and class:** medical certificate

**Age / service condition:** the mariner is under the age of 18

**Operation / activity covered:** onboard vessels to which STCW applies

**Valid for:** 1 year

**Citation:** 46 CFR 10.301

> ( 1 ) All persons employed or engaged onboard vessels to which STCW applies will be issued a medical certificate valid for 2 years unless the mariner is under the age of 18, in which case the maximum period of validity will be 1 year.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-C/section-10.301>

condition: the mariner is under the age of 18

validity_period: 1 year


body:
**Occupation / regulator:** commercial motor vehicle driver (FMCSA)

**Certificate and class:** medically examined and certified as qualified to drive in such zone

**Age / service condition:** Any driver authorized to operate a commercial motor vehicle only within an exempt intracity zone

**Operation / activity covered:** operate a commercial motor vehicle only within an exempt intracity zone

**Valid for:** 12 months

**Citation:** 49 CFR 391.45

> ( c ) Any driver authorized to operate a commercial motor vehicle only within an exempt intracity zone pursuant to <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.62> § 391.62 , if such driver has not been medically examined and certified as qualified to drive in such zone during the preceding 12 months;

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.45>

title: medically examined and certified as qualified to drive in such zone — How long medical certificates last for pilots, commercial drivers and merchant mariners — by class, age and service type