Every pilot must obtain a medical certificate to to be eligible to fly regardless of their license. An FAA medical certificate is a document that confirms that a pilot meets the health and fitness requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to safely operate an aircraft. There are three classes of medical certificates: First-Class, Second-Class, and Third-Class. Each class has different medical standards and is required for different types of pilot certificates and operations. For example, a First-Class medical certificate is required for airline transport pilots, while a Third-Class medical certificate is sufficient for private pilots. The medical examination must be performed by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and the certificate must be renewed periodically to ensure that the pilot continues to meet the medical standards.