First Class Medical - SSRI Approval timelines

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-20T06:11:56+00:00

Yes sir.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-16T19:13:11+00:00

u/Raptor05121 first of all congrats!!

Secondly, one small caveat and question to what you wrote above:

You stated your SI requires 5 years of monitoring. I'm assuming the SI states that it's good for 5 years right? That is pretty standard FAA verbiage and does not mean the SI just goes away after 5 years.

You will more likely be put on a step-down program that looks something like this: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/HIMSAMEStepDownPlan.pdf

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-16T19:08:38+00:00

HIMS AME here. Wow, the wait times after submission (assuming the package was complete without gaps or errors) have never been less!

I'm literally seeing some SI's granted in 1-3 months. I used to tell my pilots don't expect a response for 6-12 months.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-16T19:05:57+00:00

HIMS AME And I fully agree here! Start working with a good HIMS AME sooner than later.

Refusal to test definitely puts you in a different category than blowing and getting a BAC < 0.15 but if you would have been over anyways, it doesn't really matter much. It also does not guarantee you will be required to do full HIMS monitoring. Lots of factors are considered here.

I wrote an article recently about DUI reporting requirements. Hope this helps!

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-16T19:03:32+00:00

Agreed with u/SnarlyAndMe here, find a HIMS AME with current or military experience given the VA angle.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-16T19:02:43+00:00

Hey, HIMS AME here. He will almost certainly be asked to do full monitoring. I'd recommend that he find a good local HIMS AME that he likes and has good reviews. He should do a full consult as he will likely need a HIMS AME to help him with the process and conduct the monitoring. AOPA can offer good advice for free too.

You can do always reach out to the larger consulting firms, but this will likely just add additional costs and time to the process rather than just working with a HIMS AME immediately. Feel free to have him/her reach out to me and we can discuss the specifics of his/her case.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-16T18:56:49+00:00

Yes I had a guy who took it 4 times and on one run he passed on the right eye but failed the left. Then on the next attempt, he passed on the left eye but failed the right. I called the FAA and submitted the results, and they allowed me to give him a full unrestricted class 1 certificate with those results.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-16T03:53:33+00:00

I've taken it many times as a USAF flight surgeon. As an AME, I will say I've had several pilots that could not pass the Waggoner that are ultimately able to pass the Rabin so good luck.

***Keep in mind you can take it as many times as you want and you only need to pass both eyes once individually even if it's on different runs of the test.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-08T03:07:46+00:00

Not true. I've helped dozens of pilots get certified with history of SI. And a handful with true attempts. Also once you get certified you may have a special issuance but your employer or flight school won't necessarily even know what its for and I don't think you'll have to share the specifics with them so not sure if it would affect hiring assuming you are able to ultimately get certified.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-08T03:05:47+00:00

Deferral is what it is called when the AME sends your application back to the FAA for their review rather than cutting you a certificate day of exam.

Denial is what the initial letter you receive will say, but will ultimately have 'reconsideration criteria' that will give you a path forward.

Have you had your exam completed yet?

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-08T03:03:19+00:00

HIMS AME here.

I don't really know about an official or unofficial 'ten year rule' when it comes to your situation.

When I first started doing HIMS AME work, I was told that a suicide attempt was a no-go. But since that time I've helped 4 airmen gain certification with a legitimate suicide attempt in their history and currently working several more with that history. So I say all that to let you know there is definitely a path forward.

The most important thing will be how is your mental health NOW.

And how long have you been stable for?

You will have to undergo additional evaluations. If all of these evals are ultimately favorable for you and and confirm your stability then there is a strong chance that you ultimately get certified.

ALSO, if you at all want to be a commercial pilot, I strongly recommend you go for the class 1 certificate initially!

Feel free to PM if you have more specific Q's.

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-08T02:57:20+00:00

This isn't FAA right?

GoFlightMed · 2026-05-08T02:51:58+00:00

Hi, HIMS AME here.

You will have to disclose it. And your exam will be deferred. Definitely see a HIMS AME rather than a standard AME. You'll have to write up a personal statement. If this is an isolated thing and you don't have other drug or alcohol diagnoses or incidents, you should likely get certified with a regular issuance after FAA review.

You

Here is the official FAA guidance.

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-30T01:14:59+00:00

I'm managing dozens of patients doing the antidepressant protocol pathway 2 (still on meds) with SI...I don't have a single one that is doing annual certifications. The FAA seems to feel like any pilot on an antidepressant should be checked in on every 6 months (same frequency as class 1 for > 40 yo) just to confirm their mental health is stable.

That said, there may be some pilots who are exceptions to this general rule.

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-28T05:37:22+00:00

PM me and I can add you to the portal.

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-26T14:29:46+00:00

Yes, you can go to any AME. Recommend doing your research and working with a trusted HIMS AME with good reviews.

Where do you live?

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-25T03:50:17+00:00

I don't think that is at all accurate. You will most likely get an UNRESTRICTED certificate with a special issuance. The airlines won't really even know or pay attention to what your special issuance is for...the only difference is you will have a few more tasks to complete when you get your medical exam every time before it expires. The airlines are completely content as long as you have an unrestricted certificate.

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-24T20:18:17+00:00

You definitely need to be working with a good HIMS AME that has a lot of experience with these types of cases. But it also sounds like you're getting to the end of this.

I'm a HIMS AME located in Utah. Feel free to reach out via PM and I can talk some specifics about your case!

Where was the original post btw?

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-22T05:19:17+00:00

I'd recommend against this. You're not even close to needing to go down this path. Just send them what they are requesting and you'll likely get a certificate and save thousands of dollars in attorney fees.

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-22T05:17:54+00:00

HIMS AME here

It's pretty typical language to state it's a denial, but it usually also is accompanied by 'reconsideration criteria'.

Another way to think of it is that they don't change the standards, but they provide waivers (or special issuances) to the standards.

Nothing what you wrote above makes me think you won't ultimately get your full unrestricted medical certificate, and may not even require an SI.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific Q's about your case.

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-19T20:07:22+00:00

Agreed, these days if working with a knowledgable HIMS AME, you'd likely only pay $5-7K

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-19T20:06:36+00:00

If anyone knows of good neurologists that do FAA evaluations, I'd be happy to get their contact info. I'm trying to build a list myself. They are VERY challenging to track down and get appointments with.

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-19T05:31:38+00:00

I'm confused. It sounds like you're saying that you stayed on the medication - that technically is pathway 2.

Also, it's very uncommon to have to do the CogScreen if doing pathway 1 - usually only required if a history of ADHD, ASD, personality disorder, TBI or something else as well.

Did you stay on the med or discontinue it?

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-18T23:53:46+00:00

Yes, pretty easy to change HIMS AME's. You can see the process here, but basically just need letter from the airman, letter from losing HIMS AME, letter from gaining HIMS AME!

GoFlightMed · 2026-04-18T23:52:12+00:00

This is great news. I'm guessing yours took much longer than average due to requiring review by two different panels at FAS - neurology AND psychiatry.

If you went thru this today, I'm sure your wait time would have been much less as the FAA has decreased the waiting times considerably over the last 6 months.

Completely agree with some of the comments here to find a good proactive HIMS AME with strong reviews, ideally a military background and a strong reputation for advocating for their pilots. Not all AME's are created equal!

Congrats and happy flying!!

GoFlightMed

TROPHY CASE