What medical conditions disqualify you from getting a pilot's license?

It depends on the type of pilot and an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) can give you detailed answers to your specific medical conditions and tell you which medical conditions require a waiver.

Airline Transport Pilots need a Class 1 Medical Certificate. The biggest concerns include vision and hearing standards, cardiovascular conditions, neurological disorders, mental health, substance-related disorders, certain medications, diabetes, and unexplained losses of consciousness. Conditions that seem disqualifying can sometimes be navigated via a "Special Issuance" process, allowing pilots to demonstrate their condition is well-managed and doesn't compromise safety.

Private Pilots need a Class 3 Medical Certificate. The health requirements are less rigorous than Class 1 but still require certain standards. The major concerns remain vision and hearing (but with more lenient standards), cardiovascular conditions, neurological disorders, mental health, substance-related disorders, certain medications, diabetes, and unexplained losses of consciousness. Like with Class 1, many conditions that might seem disqualifying can be addressed with additional testing, evaluations, or a "Special Issuance" process.

For more details read our detailed article about Medical Certificates.