FAA Pilot Medical Fast Track ADD/ADHD medication history 2023 update Get Your Medical Done Faster!

Are you worried about getting your FAA Medical due to prior history of ADD/ADHD symptoms or medicine use? Previously, it took a very lengthy process for getting the FAA to approve pilot medicals if you had any history of ADD/ADHD. The FAA has recently (August 2023) made changes to Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) guidance that allows a "fast track" to getting your medical even with prior ADD/ADHD symptoms and medication! If you have been symptom free and medication free in the past 4 years, you may be able to use their new "fast track" process and get your medical without the lengthy FAA review process! I am so excited about these changes for those who want to fly but are worried about medical history related to ADD/ADHD. Thank you, FAA, for making these important changes!

***Important Disclaimer!!! I am NOT a doctor, and I am NOT an FAA AME, and I am NOT an FAA employee! The intent of this video is to provide an overview of the new "fast track" process if you meet the FAA's new criteria. I will NOT be answering questions about ADD/ADHD or the medical process that are posted in the video comments. Consult your own medical professional team or AOPA Medical advice team (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) for these questions!***

Helpful links:
FAA Document Checklist:
AOPA news story:

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Always remember that Laura, when you get right down to it, is just a pilot and a dispatcher. She is explaining facts from the source materials but may be incorrect or out of date. You should always follow your primary guidance (Aircraft manuals, government regulations, etc.) before listening to anything from this YouTube channel. These videos are intended for educational purposes only.

[dylanschroeder]

This is honestly great! I’ve had 3 students defer in the past few weeks. Hopefully I can help new students catch this and use this new system

[robbelliii]

Do they know there is a difference between ADD and ADHD? I got my pilots license at age 27. Have been out of flying for the last 20 plus years. During that period I was diagnosed with mild ADD and was taking medication at one point in the past. My focus and attention were definitely improved with medication, but I am successful without it at work and have since earned a Masters Degree. It’s so backwards…why are they so worried about mild cases and people being medicated to help improve their functioning. Would love to come back into flying, but I was unaware this was such a concern to the FAA.

[aguy]

Wait so if you do the fast track you aren’t required to do the battery test. So how do they know if I have it etc…? I tell them I don’t? Does this fast track apply for 1st class medical? What if i dont have a drivers License?

[utvbroz]

It’s interesting you can be a full blown addict and the requirement is clean for 2 years, but being off a misdiagnosed med is 4.

[PamirIsikStudent]

I only usded the medication for 1-2 months, seen no benefit and so I stopped. I either do not have adhd or have it mildly, would that be an issue?

[robbelliii]

Do they know there is a difference between ADD and ADHD? I got my pilots license at age 27. Have been out of flying for the last 20 plus years. During that period I was diagnosed with mild ADD and was taking medication at one point in the past. My focus and attention were definitely improved with medication, but I am successful without it at work and have since earned a Masters Degree, clean driving record, certified DOD Acquisition Level III professional, etc. It’s so backwards…why are they so worried about mild cases and people being medicated to help improve their functioning? Would love to come back into flying, but I was unaware this was such a concern/ stigma to the FAA. How can we get involved to try to drive changes?

[majedalsaeed]

As an international applicant seeking to obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL) in the USA, I have a history of ADD medication usage, but I stopped using ADD medications since I left the USA. My last prescription was in January 2019, and since then, I returned to my home country and have not been back to the USA. How does the FAA handle cases like mine, where the individual has been medication-free for over four years but is applying for a PPL? Are there specific procedures or considerations I should be aware of to navigate the medical certification process smoothly?

[Chagenmelon]

I want to be an airline pilot one day but I have adhd and am on medication I also have anxiety but over the last few years my anxiety has significantly decreased and I only am anxious when things happen that any normal person would be anxious about. Do I still qualify to receive a first class medical? Besides those 2 I am overall healthy and very happy.

[blisterblue]

QUESTION: I was diagnosed recently and was given a multitude of medications to “try” but I never continued them. Is there a loophole to that situation if the pharmacy shows the stoppage in usage?