An aviation medical certificate is a requirement set by Transport Canada to ensure pilots and air traffic controllers are medically fit to safely perform their duties.
The category of medical you need depends on the type of licence you hold or are pursuing. Higher categories have stricter medical standards and more frequent renewal periods.
Understanding which category applies to you is the first step before booking an exam with a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME).
Used For:
Airline & Commercial Pilots
Examples:
ATPL, CPL, MPL, Flight Engineer
Strictness:
Highest
Used For:
Air Traffic Controllers
Examples:
ATC Licence
Strictness:
High
Used For:
Private Pilots
Examples:
PPL, Some Instructor Ratings
Strictness:
Moderate
Used For:
Recreational Flying
Examples:
Recreational Permit, Ultralight
Strictness:
Lowest
Select a category to learn more:
Mostly used by Airline Pilots and Commercial Pilots.
Airline operations, commercial flying, multi-crew environments, flight engineering, Air traffic controller licenses. It also covers gyroplane permits, student pilot permits for gyros and balloons, private pilot licenses (aeroplane/helicopter), balloon pilot licenses, and flight instructor ratings for gliders and ultralights.
Comprehensive medical including vision, hearing, cardiovascular health.
ECG (age dependent), vision testing, hearing test, general physical exam.
More frequent renewals required over age 40.
Initial: ~$200–$300. Renewal frequency varies (6–12 months depending on age).
Used only by Air Traffic Controllers.
Ability to be an Air Traffic Controller.
Moderate level of medical screening.
Vision, hearing, general physical exam.
Requirements increase with age.
Typically less than Category 1.
Mostly used by Private Pilots and Recreational Pilots.
Private flying (aeroplane/helicopter), gyroplane permits, student pilot permits (gyroplane/balloon), balloon licenses, and flight instructor ratings (glider/ultralight).
Basic medical screening.
Vision, hearing, general physical exam.
Renewal intervals change with age.
~$150–$200 typically.
Used by Recreational Pilot Permit holders and student pilots.
Recreational pilot permits, student pilot permits (aeroplane/ultralight/glider/helicopter), Glider Pilot License.
Self-assessment with physician involvement if needed.
No formal CAME exam required in most cases.
Subject to self-declaration rules.
Minimal cost.