MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Medical Certificates
A concise guide to EASA Class 1, Class 2 and LAPL medical certificates: who needs each one, who can issue it, how long it remains valid and what the examination normally includes.
CHOOSE THE CORRECT CERTIFICATE
Which medical certificate do you need?
CLASS 1
Professional pilot medical
Required for
CPL, MPL and ATPL privileges, including professional airline and commercial pilot operations.
Issued by
Initial examination: AeMC only. Revalidation and renewal: AeMC or authorised AME.
CLASS 2
Private pilot medical
Required for
PPL privileges and other private pilot licence categories covered by the applicable rules.
Issued by
An AeMC or authorised AME for initial issue, revalidation and renewal.
LAPL
Light aircraft medical
Required for
LAPL privileges for aeroplanes and helicopters.
Issued by
An AeMC or AME, and in some countries a general medical practitioner where national rules allow it.
AT A GLANCE
Class 1 vs Class 2 vs LAPL
| CERTIFICATE | MAIN USE | INITIAL ISSUER | RELATIVE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Professional and airline pilot licences | AeMC only | Highest |
| Class 2 | Private pilot licences | AeMC or AME | Intermediate |
| LAPL | Light aircraft pilot licences | AeMC, AME or GMP where permitted | Most simplified |
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
What is normally checked?
All three certificates review the same broad body systems. What changes is the depth of the examination and the frequency of instrumental tests.
MED.B.010 | Heart — Electrocardiogram (ECG)
The key test for a Class 1 medical certificate, and the one whose frequency varies most according to age. A standard 12-lead resting ECG is required at the following intervals:
Class 1
- At the initial examination, and thereafter:
- every 5 years until the age of 30;
- every 2 years until the age of 40;
- annually until the age of 50; and
- at every revalidation examination thereafter.
- An extended cardiovascular assessment is required at the first revalidation examination after the age of 65, and every 4 years thereafter.
Class 2
- At the initial examination;
- at the first examination after the age of 40;
- at the first examination after the age of 50; and
- every 2 years thereafter.
LAPL
No routine ECG is required unless clinically indicated.
In addition, Class 1 applicants must undergo a blood lipid assessment, including cholesterol, at the initial examination and at the first examination after the age of 40.
Blood pressure: This is measured at every examination for all three certificate categories. For Class 1, an applicant is assessed as unfit if their blood pressure consistently exceeds 160 mmHg systolic or 95 mmHg diastolic, whether or not they are receiving treatment.
MED.B.015 | Pulmonary Function
Class 1 and Class 2: A morphological and functional assessment of the respiratory system is required when clinically indicated. In practice, this may include spirometry at the medical examiner’s discretion, typically during the initial examination.
It is not a routine test at every examination.
MED.B.030 — blood & MED.B.100 — urine | Blood and Urine Tests
Urinalysis: Required at every examination for all three certificate categories.
Blood haemoglobin: Measured at every Class 1 examination.
MED.B.055 | Mental Health
Only the initial Class 1 examination explicitly includes:
- a comprehensive mental health assessment; and
- alcohol and drug screening.
Key points for the article (applicable to all three certificate categories, although the procedure differs):
- A mental or behavioural disorder caused by the use or misuse of alcohol or other psychoactive substances results in an unfit assessment until the applicant has recovered and undergone a satisfactory psychiatric evaluation.
- A diagnosis or history of a mood, neurotic, personality or behavioural disorder, or of substance misuse, requires a satisfactory psychiatric evaluation before the applicant can be assessed as fit.
- Documented deliberate self-harm or an attempted suicide initially results in an unfit assessment. The applicant may subsequently be assessed as fit following a satisfactory psychiatric evaluation.
- Schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder or delusional disorder results in an unfit assessment.
MED.B.070 | Vision — Visual System
Class 1: A comprehensive ophthalmological examination is required at the initial examination, with further examinations depending on the applicant’s prescription. A routine eye examination is carried out at every revalidation.
Class 2: A routine eye examination is required at the initial examination and at every revalidation. A comprehensive examination is required only when clinically indicated.
Required visual acuity:
| Certificate | Each eye separately | Both eyes |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 6/9 (0.7) or better | 6/6 (1.0) or better |
| Class 2 | 6/12 (0.5) or better | 6/9 (0.7) or better |
Near vision: Applicants must be able to read an N5 chart at a distance of 30–50 cm and an N14 chart at 100 cm, with correction if necessary.
Glasses and contact lenses: Yes, they are permitted—an important point for the article addressing the myth about glasses—subject to certain conditions. Contact lenses must be for distance vision, monofocal and untinted. Applicants must also carry a spare pair of glasses.
For Class 1, the following values require referral to the medical assessor and may be accepted following further evaluation:
- myopia exceeding −6.0 dioptres;
- astigmatism or anisometropia exceeding 2.0 dioptres; or
- hypermetropia exceeding +5.0 dioptres.
Eye surgery: This initially results in an unfit assessment, but the applicant may subsequently be assessed as fit after recovery and a satisfactory ophthalmological evaluation.
MED.B.075 | Colour Vision
An Ishihara test is carried out during the initial examination for every certificate category. Applicants who pass it are assessed as fit.
Class 1: Applicants who do not pass the Ishihara test are referred to the authority’s medical assessor and undergo additional testing to determine whether they are colour safe. Applicants who do not pass these additional tests are assessed as unfit.
Class 2: Applicants who do not pass the Ishihara test and cannot demonstrate satisfactory colour perception are restricted to daytime flying only. This restriction does not exist for Class 1: applicants are either fully fit or unfit.
MED.B.080 | Hearing — Audiogram
Hearing is checked at every examination for all three certificate categories.
Pure-tone audiometry, or a formal audiogram, is mandatory for Class 1. For Class 2, it is required only when an instrument rating (IR) is to be added.
It is performed:
- at the initial examination;
- every 5 years until the age of 40; and
- every 2 years thereafter.
Initial hearing threshold: Hearing loss must not exceed 35 dB at 500, 1,000 or 2,000 Hz, or 50 dB at 3,000 Hz, in either ear.
A comprehensive ENT examination is required at the initial Class 1 examination and periodically thereafter when clinically indicated.
VALIDITY BY CERTIFICATE AND AGE
How long does each medical remain valid?
Class 1
- 12 months
The validity period is reduced to 6 months if the holder:
- is over 40 years old and operates single-pilot commercial air transport flights carrying passengers; or
- is over 60 years old.
Class 2
- Under 40: 60 months. However, a certificate issued before the age of 40 ceases to be valid when the holder turns 42.
- Between 40 and 50: 24 months. A certificate issued before the age of 50 ceases to be valid when the holder turns 51.
- Over 50: 12 months.
LAPL
- Under 40: 60 months. A certificate issued before the age of 40 ceases to be valid when the holder turns 42.
- Over 40: 24 months.
KEEP IT VALID
Revalidation or renewal?
Revalidation
- Completed before the certificate expires.
- Can normally be completed up to 45 days before expiry.
- Keeps the existing validity cycle.
- Requirements depend on certificate class and age.
Renewal
- Applies after the medical certificate has expired.
- Under 2 years: usually similar to a revalidation examination.
- Between 2 and 5 years: prior review of medical history.
- Over 5 years: normally treated like a full initial examination.
CLINIC DIRECTORY
Find an AeMC or AME
REGULATORY BASIS
Check the current rules before acting
Last reviewed: 2 August 2026
This page is an abbreviated editorial summary based on the attached My Aviation Guide working document on EASA Class 1, Class 2 and LAPL medical certificates.
Medical disclaimer: This content is general aviation information, not medical advice. Medical eligibility, limitations and specialist referrals must be assessed by an authorised AME or AeMC. Regulations and aeromedical standards can change.