Medical Mondays: How a DUI Can Affect Your FAA Medical Certificate
In this edition of Medical Mondays, aviation attorney Matthew Bulow explains how the FAA evaluates DUI and other alcohol-related offenses during the medical certification process. After properly reporting a motor vehicle action under FAA regulations, pilots must still navigate the FAA’s medical review process through the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI). Depending on the circumstances of the offense, an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) may be able to issue a medical certificate immediately or may be required to defer the application for further FAA review.
This episode outlines the FAA’s four alcohol-related review categories and explains how factors such as the age of the offense, blood alcohol concentration (BAC), multiple alcohol-related events and substance use history influence certification decisions. Bulow also discusses the documentation pilots should prepare and why understanding the FAA’s review process before applying can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Key Insights
- The FAA Uses Four Categories to Evaluate Alcohol-Related Events: A pilot’s certification pathway depends on factors such as the number of offenses, BAC level, the age of the incident and any history of substance use.
- Previously Reviewed Cases May Qualify for Immediate Issuance: Pilots who have already completed the FAA review process and received written confirmation that no further monitoring is required may be eligible for issuance at their AME appointment.
- Older Single DUIs May Have a Simpler Path: A single DUI that occurred five or more years ago with a BAC below 0.15 may qualify for AME issuance if there is no evidence of substance abuse or dependence.
- Recent or Higher-Risk Offenses Require Additional Review: A recent DUI, a BAC of 0.15 or higher, an unknown BAC or refusal to submit to alcohol testing typically requires more extensive documentation and evaluation.
- Refusing a Breathalyzer Can Complicate Certification: The FAA treats a refusal to submit to alcohol testing as a significant factor during the medical certification review process.
- Multiple Alcohol-Related Events Trigger Automatic Deferral: Two or more alcohol-related offenses or a history of substance dependence generally require the AME to defer the application to the FAA.
- Thorough Documentation Is Essential: Police reports, court records, driving records, personal statements and Alcohol Event Status Reports may all be required to support the FAA’s review and determine certification eligibility.
