FAA AME Services

Aviation Medicine Services

Your Trusted FAA Medical Certification Partner in the Bay Area

Stay certified and ready for takeoff.
We provide FAA Class 1, 2, and 3 medical exams with fast, respectful service and same-day certificate issuance in most cases. Whether you’re a student pilot, commercial aviator, or air traffic controller, we help you meet FAA medical requirements with ease.

  • Class 1, 2, and 3 certifications

  • ECG and color vision testing available

  • MedXPress required before visit

  • Appointments typically completed in 30 minutes or less

Supporting pilots through recovery and re-certification.
As an FAA-designated HIMS AME, we provide evaluations and case management for pilots with a history of substance use, alcohol-related events (e.g., DUI), or mental health concerns requiring FAA review.

  • HIMS initial consultations

  • Case coordination with psychiatrists and therapists

  • Long-term monitoring and reporting

  • Guidance through every step of special issuance

Get back in the air — even with a complex medical history.
We guide pilots through the FAA’s special issuance process for conditions like ADHD, sleep apnea, SSRI use, heart disease, and more. Our expert documentation review and coordination helps you avoid delays and stay compliant.

  • Medical record review

  • Documentation support and letter drafting

  • Coordination with specialists

  • Ongoing case follow-up until issuance

Have questions before your exam? We can help.
If you’re unsure whether a condition, medication, or past event could impact your certification, schedule a pre-exam consultation. It’s the best way to avoid deferrals and delays.

  • 15-minute and 30-minute options

  • Identify issues before your FAA exam

  • Understand CACI vs. Special Issuance

🧭 Ready for Your FAA Exam? Here’s What to Do

Step 1: Complete MedXPress Application

Go to the FAA MedXPress portal and fill out your application.
You’ll receive a confirmation number — bring this with you to your exam.

Step 2: Schedule Your Appointment

Book online or call our office to schedule your FAA physical or consultation.
We offer convenient appointment slots and same-day certificate issuance in most cases.

📞 650‑204‑0133
✉️ admin@mdpeninsula.com

Step 3: Prepare for Your Visit

Bring your:

  • MedXPress confirmation number

  • Photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport)

  • Complete intake questionnaire

  • Upload any relevant medical records or specialist notes

  • Glasses or contacts if worn for vision

💡 First-time exam? Complex history?
Schedule a consultation to avoid delays or deferrals.

🧠 HIMS Evaluations & Special Issuance Guidance

Helping pilots with complex medical histories get safely back in the air.

If you’ve had a DUI, substance use history, psychiatric condition, or take a flagged medication, you may need a HIMS evaluation or special issuance. At Peninsula Medical Associates, we are FAA-designated HIMS providers with experience guiding airmen through even the most complex certification cases.

HIMS Evaluation & Monitoring
Special Issuance Support

We are an FAA-authorized HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), working with airmen who require monitoring and Special Issuance due to conditions such as:

  • Alcohol- or drug-related incidents (e.g., DUI, substance dependence)
  • Mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder)
  • Use of disqualifying medications such as SSRIs

 

Step 1 – Initial Consultation:
A required 1-on-1 evaluation to learn about your case, review your history, and determine the scope of support needed.
Fee: $400

During this consultation, we will:

  • Review your medical, legal, and treatment history
  • Discuss FAA requirements specific to your case
  • Outline a tailored HIMS monitoring and evaluation plan
  • Provide guidance on documentation and next steps

 

Step 2 – HIMS AME Retention & Ongoing Monitoring:
If you choose to retain us as your HIMS AME, we will:

  • Coordinate with FAA-authorized HIMS psychiatrists and neuropsychologists
  • Track records from your treatment providers and programs
  • Ensure all documentation meets FAA requirements
  • Prepare the HIMS AME report and submit your complete case package to the FAA

 

Fee: Starts at $1000 depending on case complexity and required monitoring. A formal quote is provided after the consultation.

We provide trusted guidance and structured oversight throughout the HIMS process, helping you work toward medical certification with clarity and confidence.

Some medical conditions require an FAA Special Issuance Authorization before a certificate can be issued. We provide experienced support to help airmen with these conditions navigate the process efficiently and confidently.

 

Common conditions requiring Special Issuance include:

  • Cardiac history (e.g., stents, arrhythmias, valve repair)
  • Diabetes (Type 1 or insulin-treated Type 2)
  • Sleep apnea
  • Seizure or neurological history
  • Cancer diagnosis and treatment history
  • Vision or hearing impairments not meeting standard criteria
  • Chronic kidney or liver disease

 

Our team assists with:

    • Review of your medical records and prior FAA correspondence
    • Clarifying FAA requirements for documentation and testing
    • Coordinating with your treating providers and specialists
    • Preparing and submitting supportive medical summaries
    • Providing follow-up guidance until issuance is approved

 

Fee Structure: Services are based on case complexity. A pre-exam consultation is recommended to outline your path forward.

Pricing Overview

FAA Class 1, 2, or 3 Medical Exam $200
Base fee – includes vision, hearing, urine dipstick, vitals, and physical exam
ECG (Electrocardiogram) $50
Required for Class 1 applicants age 40+
Computerized Color Vision Testing (CCVT) $45
Required for all new FAA Medical applicants. Most previously certified pilots are exempt.
FAA Pre-Exam Consultation – 15 minutes $125
FAA Pre-Exam Consultation – 30 minutes $250
CACI Condition Review (per condition) $50
Waived if you complete a consultation prior to your exam.
Initial HIMS Evaluation $400
Required before any ongoing support. A detailed estimate will be provided after your initial evaluation based on the FAA’s requirements for your case (e.g., frequency of monitoring, need for neuropsych or psychiatric evaluations, number of provider records to review, etc.).
Ongoing HIMS Monitoring & FAAReporting Starts at $1000
Includes record review, coordination with FAA-authorized specialists, treating providers, preparation and submission of HIMS AME report and medical records to FAA. Final cost based on case complexity and FAA requirements.
Special Issuance Case Review & FAA Reporting Starts at $250
For airmen with disqualifying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc. Final cost based on the number of conditions, complexity, and volume of records to review.

FAQS

What Are the Differences Between the Classes?

1st Class Medical Certificate

  • Who Needs It? Pilots serving as Airline Transport Pilots (ATP).
  • Validity Period:
    • Under 40 years old: 12 months.
    • 40 years and older: 6 months.
  • Additional Testing: ECGs are required starting at age 35 and then annually after age 40. 

2nd Class Medical Certificate

  • Who Needs It? Commercial pilots (e.g., crop dusters, charter pilots, corporate pilots).
  • Validity Period: 12 months, regardless of age.
  • Testing: ECGs are not routinely required unless requested by the FAA.

3rd Class Medical Certificate

  • Who Needs It? Private pilots and recreational pilots.
  • Validity Period:
    • Under 40 years old: 60 months.
    • 40 years and older: 24 months.
  • Testing: Typically involves basic vision and hearing assessments.
  • FAA Medical Exam Consultation: For general medical conditions, preparation for standard FAA medical exams, or certification-related questions not involving HIMS-specific conditions.
  • HIMS Consultation: For pilots with conditions requiring participation in the HIMS program, such as substance dependence or complex psychological/neurological issues.

If you’re unsure which consultation is right for you, feel free to contact us for guidance. We’ll help you determine the most suitable option to ensure your FAA certification process proceeds smoothly.

  • First-Class Medical Certificate:
    • Pilots under 40: First ECG at age 35, then at age 40.
    • Pilots 40 and older: Annual ECG during medical exams.
  • Second and Third-Class Medical Certificates: Typically required only if requested by the FAA

The FAA recognizes certain medical conditions that an AME can clear for certification if specific criteria are met. Examples include:

  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes (controlled without insulin)
  • Asthma
  • Sleep Apnea

As part of the CACI process, I will:

  1. Review your medical history and documentation to ensure FAA criteria are met.
  2. Complete the necessary FAA forms and certifications.
  • New FAA Medical Applicants: Mandatory for all except Third-Class applicants with a known color vision limitation.
  • Previously Certified Pilots: Most previously certified pilots are exempt, unless:   
    • You hold a Third-Class Certificate with a color vision limitation.
    • You develop a condition or take medications affecting color vision.
The FAA designates certain AMEs as Senior AMEs, a distinction that allows me to:

  • Conduct First-Class FAA Medical Examinations in addition to Second and Third-Class exams.
  • Evaluate pilots for the highest level of medical certification, required for airline transport pilots and certain professional aviators.
  • Provide consultations tailored to the unique needs of pilots seeking First-Class certification, ensuring compliance with FAA standards.

The FAA’s Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) program is a specialized initiative to assist pilots with:

  • Substance use disorders (e.g., alcohol or drug dependency).
  • Mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD).
  • Complex medical challenges that require ongoing monitoring or specialized documentation.

HIMS AME are specially trained and approved by the FAA to:

  • Guide pilots through the rigorous certification process for these conditions.
  • Collaborate with the FAA, healthcare providers, and pilots to develop and execute individualized action plans.
  • Ensure that required evaluations, treatments, and documentation meet FAA standards to optimize the likelihood of certification approval.

Senior HIMS AME designation means they can assist you at every stage of this process, whether you’re starting your certification journey or addressing new medical concerns.