Preparing for your aviation medical
A little preparation helps your assessment run smoothly and avoids delays or repeat visits. Use this guide to arrive with everything you need.
How should I prepare for my aviation medical?
Good preparation is the simplest way to help your aviation medical go well. Gather your documents ahead of time, complete the CAA's online application where it is required, and jot down anything you want to raise with the examiner. Getting these out of the way early means the appointment can focus on the assessment itself, not on paperwork.
It also lowers the chance of a delay or a repeat visit. The checklist below covers the essentials for most examinations. Your certificate class and your history may add a few items, so check the class notes further down and, if in doubt, ask us before the day.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Have these ready for your appointment. Not every item applies to everyone, so bring what is relevant to you.
- Photographic identification, for example a passport or driving licence
- Your current or previous medical certificate, if you have held one
- A list of any medication you take, including doses
- Glasses or contact lenses you use, together with your current prescription
- Relevant specialist or GP reports, if you have any conditions already known to the CAA or your examiner
The CAA online application (Cellma)
For most pilot medical certificates you will need to register and complete your application through the CAA's online medical records system, Cellma, and pay the CAA fee before your appointment. Completing this in good time means your examiner has your details ready on the day.
Cellma is where you set up your medical record, answer a health questionnaire and track your certificate. The CAA fee is separate from the examiner's fee, and both normally apply. Have your details and any reference numbers to hand when you register, and allow a little longer than you think you will need the first time you use the system.
Set up your CAA account early
Leave enough time to register, complete the application and make any payment before you attend. If you are unsure whether this step applies to your examination, get in touch and we will guide you. You can also check the latest requirements with the UK CAA.
How early should I book or renew?
Give yourself room. Booking in good time means you can pick an appointment that suits you and sort out the CAA application without a last-minute rush. It also leaves space if a further test or report turns out to be needed.
If you already hold a certificate, there is a window for renewing it before it runs out. A Class 1 can be revalidated up to 45 days before it expires, with the new period calculated from the original expiry date, so booking inside that window means you do not lose any validity. The rules differ by certificate class, so check the page for yours and confirm the current detail with the UK CAA.
Leaving a lapsed certificate too long can mean extra steps, and in some cases a full initial-style assessment. If your certificate has already expired, get in touch and we will help you work out what applies.
Class-specific notes
Requirements vary by examination. Select your certificate for the full detail, including where it can be carried out.
Class 1 Medical
The medical professional pilots need for a CPL or ATPL. Your first one is done at an approved Aeromedical Centre.
Class 2 Medical
The medical for private pilots on a PPL. Any UK Aeromedical Examiner can issue it.
Class 3 Medical
The medical air traffic controllers need. The first assessment takes place at an Aeromedical Centre.
LAPL Medical
The lightest pilot medical, for Light Aircraft Pilot Licence holders. Usually issued by an AME.
Cabin Crew Medical
The Part-MED medical report that operating cabin crew need before they can fly.
Renewals & Revalidations
Keep a current certificate valid, or renew one that has lapsed, with the timing rules made clear.
Initial Class 1 and Class 3
Under UK CAA rules, your first (initial) Class 1 or Class 3 medical must be carried out at a CAA-authorised Aeromedical Centre (AeMC). These assessments are more thorough and take longer, so allow extra time.
Preparing in the days before
A few simple things help your assessment run smoothly. These are general pointers, not medical instructions, and you should never change any medication without advice from your own doctor.
- Get a good night's rest before your appointment
- Avoid heavy caffeine immediately before a blood pressure check
- Bring your reading glasses as well as any distance glasses
- Eat and drink normally unless you have been told otherwise
- Arrive in good time so you are not rushed
- Write down any questions you would like to ask
What if I take regular medication?
Bring a full list of anything you take, with the names and doses, including anything bought over the counter. If it is easier, bring the packets or a printout from your GP or pharmacy. The examiner needs an accurate picture to assess you against the CAA standards.
Do not stop or change any medication to try to improve a reading. Keep taking what you normally take, unless your own doctor has told you otherwise. Hiding a condition or a medicine helps no one and can cause problems later; the assessment works best when the examiner has the full story.
If you have a condition already known to the CAA, or a specialist has written to you about it, bring those reports. They often save a referral and keep things moving. For a sense of how your history is reviewed on the day, see what to expect.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses
Bring the glasses or contact lenses you use and your current prescription. If a certificate is issued with a requirement to wear corrective lenses, that limitation will be recorded on it. See what to expect for how vision is assessed.
Exact requirements depend on your examination
This guide covers the essentials, but the precise requirements depend on the examination type, your medical history and the applicable authority. Always confirm the current requirements with us and with the UK CAA. This is general information, not individual medical advice. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Ready to arrange your aviation medical?
Tell us which examination you need and we will guide you through the preparation, documents and next steps.