Is a Medical Certificate Required for a Private Pilot Check Ride?

As long as a pilot meets criteria to fly with BasicMed, they can use it on a check ride, according to the FAA. [Credit: Shutterstock/ File Photo]

Question: I’m a private pilot learner flying on a third-class medical certificate. Life got in the way, and I’ve determined that my medical will expire before I complete my training. I’d like to fly using BasicMed, but can I take the check ride with that, or must I renew the third-class medical?

Answer: According to the FAA, "as long as the pilot meets the criteria to fly with BasicMed, they can use it, including on a check ride."

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According to FAA Advisory Circular 68-1A, to meet the criteria for use of BasicMed, the pilot needs to hold a current and valid U.S. driver’s license, hold or have held a medical certificate issued by the FAA at any point after July 14, 2006, answer health questions on the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC), receive a physical examination from any state-licensed physician, and have them complete the CMEC. Be sure to keep the CMEC.

Finally, the pilot needs to take the BasicMed online medical education course. Keep the course completion document issued to you by the provider.

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Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.