BasicMed Explained: Requirements, Expiration, and How to Stay Current

BasicMed has been one of the most significant changes to GA medical certification in decades. Since 2017, most private pilots can exercise privileges using BasicMed instead of holding a current FAA medical certificate — which means no AME visits, no MEDXPRESS applications, and no medical disqualification anxiety for the vast majority of GA flying.

But BasicMed has its own expiration schedule that's easy to miscalculate. Here's how it works.

What Is BasicMed?

BasicMed is an alternative medical certification pathway authorized by Congress under the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. It allows eligible pilots to fly without a traditional FAA medical certificate (Third Class or higher) by instead:

• Getting a physical exam from any state-licensed physician (not an FAA AME)
• Completing an online medical education course
• Acknowledging certain medical conditions that would disqualify them

BasicMed Eligibility Requirements

To use BasicMed you must:

• Hold (or have held) a valid FAA medical certificate at any point after July 14, 2006
• Not have had an FAA medical certificate denied, revoked, or suspended after that date
• Fly a U.S.-registered aircraft
• Not fly for compensation or hire
• Fly at or below 18,000 feet MSL
• Fly at or below 250 knots indicated airspeed
• Carry no more than 6 occupants

If you've never held an FAA medical or had one denied/revoked, you cannot use BasicMed and must obtain a traditional certificate.

The Two Expiration Dates You Must Track

This is where most pilots get confused. BasicMed has two separate expiration clocks running simultaneously:

Physical Exam: 48 calendar months Your physician exam is valid for 48 calendar months from the date of the exam. If you had your exam in March 2023, it expires in March 2027.

Online Course: 24 calendar months The AOPA or other FAA-approved online course must be completed every 24 calendar months. This expires faster than the exam.

Both must be current simultaneously to exercise BasicMed privileges. Many pilots complete the course right after (or right before) their physical so the timelines stay roughly aligned.

What Counts as the Exam?

Any state-licensed physician can conduct the BasicMed exam — your family doctor, an internist, even a doc-in-a-box urgent care physician if needed. The physician must use FAA Form 8700-2 (the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist) and sign it. You keep the form — it does not go to the FAA.

AME visits can also fulfill the exam requirement if you're going for another reason, but the exam for BasicMed can be far simpler and cheaper than a standard AME visit.

Approved Online Courses

The FAA has approved several BasicMed online courses:

• AOPA's BasicMed course at aopa.org
• FAA Safety Team (FAAST) courses
• Other FAA-approved providers

The course takes 2-3 hours and covers medical conditions relevant to flight safety. You receive a completion certificate when done — keep it.

Track Your Currency Automatically

Aeradex's Currency & Medical tracker (free for all Hangar accounts at aeradex.com) lets you enter your exam date and course completion date. The dashboard shows green/amber/red status for each requirement:

• Green: more than 60 days remaining
• Amber: 30-60 days — time to schedule
• Red: under 30 days or expired

Automatic email reminders go out at 60 days and 30 days before each expiration. No more doing date math in your head or missing currency without realizing it.

What Happens If BasicMed Lapses?

If either your exam or course expires, you cannot exercise pilot-in-command privileges under BasicMed until both are current again. You can still fly as a sport pilot (if the aircraft qualifies) or as a passenger. To restore BasicMed currency, simply complete the expired element — a new physical or a new course completion as needed.

BasicMed does not require FAA notification when it lapses or is renewed. It's entirely self-administered and self-certified.

Should You Maintain a Traditional Medical Too?

For pilots who want to fly above 18,000 feet, fly IFR in actual IMC above BasicMed altitudes, or serve as PIC in aircraft with more than 6 seats, a traditional FAA medical certificate is still required. If you do any of these regularly, maintaining your Third Class or higher is worth it.

For most GA pilots flying personal aircraft under VFR and light IFR, BasicMed is simpler, cheaper, and less stressful than the traditional medical certification process.