At the end of nearly every FAA medical exam, the same thing happens: the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) prints the certificate, signs it, hands it to the pilot, and the pilot walks out the door with it.
According to an FAA representative speaking at the 2025 Civil Aviation Medical Association (CAMA) Annual Conference, about 95% of pilots leave the AME’s office with their medical certificate in hand. That’s the good news.
However, that certificate is just a piece of paper. It’s easy to lose, damage, or misplace—and when you do, you need to replace it the right way.
This article explains:
- Why your FAA medical certificate matters
- Why you must carry it when flying
- Where it we recommend it be stored
- And the only FAA-approved ways to get a replacement if it’s lost
If you’re a pilot, this is something you should know before you need it.
Your FAA Medical Certificate Is Required When You Fly
Your FAA medical certificate is not optional paperwork. Under federal aviation regulations, when acting as a required flight crewmember, you must have all required certificates in your possession, including:
- Your pilot certificate
- Your FAA medical certificate
- A government-issued photo ID
This isn’t a digital system. There’s no QR code. There’s no app. The FAA medical certificate is still a physical paper document, and if you don’t have it on you, you’re technically not legal to fly, even if your medical is valid in the FAA system.
That’s why best practice is simple: keep your medical certificate with your pilot certificate at all times.
Most pilots store both together in a wallet, certificate holder, or flight bag organizer. Separating them is how certificates get lost.
Losing Your Medical Certificate Happens—But Replacement Has Rules
Despite best intentions, sometimes pilots lose medical certificates. Wallets get replaced. Flight bags get cleaned out. Paper fades, tears, or disappears.
The key point pilots often miss is this:
Going back to your AME and asking them to reprint your medical certificate is NOT a proper or legal replacement.
Once your exam is complete, the AME no longer has the authority to issue you another original certificate. Even if they can see your exam in the system, printing another copy does not replace a lost FAA medical certificate.
Only the FAA can issue a replacement. Fortunately, the FAA gives pilots several legitimate ways to do this.
Method 1: Request a Replacement Online Through the FAA Airmen Registry
For most pilots, this is the fastest and easiest option.
The FAA allows pilots to request a replacement medical certificate through its official Airmen Services online system. This system is operated by the FAA Civil Aviation Registry and is used for replacement airman certificates and medical certificates.
What you’ll need:
- Your full legal name (as it appears on FAA records)
- Date of birth
- FAA reference number (if available)
- A credit or debit card
There is a $2 replacement fee.
If your medical record is complete and eligible, you can submit the request online and the FAA will mail a replacement certificate to your address on file. Make sure your address on file is correct!
Method 2: Request a Replacement by Mail
You can also request a replacement by mail. The FAA provides Form AC 8060-56, titled Application for Replacement of Lost, Destroyed, or Paper Airman Certificate(s). This form can be used to request a replacement FAA medical certificate.
You’ll need to provide:
- Full legal name
- Permanent mailing address
- Date and place of birth
- Class of medical certificate (First, Second, or Third)
- Approximate date of the exam
- A brief statement that the certificate was lost or destroyed
The completed form is mailed to the FAA’s Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City. The replacement fee is $2, payable as directed by the FAA.
This method is slower than online processing but remains a fully valid and official option.
Method 3: Request a Temporary Faxed Copy (If You Need One Quickly)
If you’ve lost your medical certificate and need immediate proof, like for an upcoming flight or checkride, the FAA can help.
The Aerospace Medical Certification Division can fax a temporary medical certificate record directly to you. This temporary document is typically valid for up to 60 days, giving you legal coverage while you wait for the physical replacement to arrive.
This option requires calling the FAA directly and verifying your identity. It’s not automatic, but it’s extremely useful when time matters.
What Not to Do
Let’s be clear about a few common mistakes:
- Do not rely on a copy printed by your AME
- Do not assume the FAA “has it on file” is enough
- Do not fly without the certificate on your person
Good intentions don’t override federal regulations. If you’re ramp checked, the burden is on you, not your AME.
Final Takeaway for Pilots
Most pilots never think about their FAA medical certificate after the exam—and that’s exactly how it gets lost. Remember:
- It’s a physical document
- You are required to carry it when flying
- It should be stored with your pilot certificate
- Only the FAA can issue a valid replacement
If you lose it, don’t panic, but don’t cut corners either. Use one of the official FAA replacement methods and get back in compliance the right way.
At Wingman Med, we deal with FAA medical certification every day. Knowing the rules ahead of time keeps small problems from turning into grounding events.
If you have questions about FAA medicals, compliance, or certification strategy, we’re here to help—before it becomes urgent.
