Medical certificate validity
Category 3 medical validity (CAR 404.04(6), table item 1):
| Age at exam | Valid for |
|---|---|
| Under 40 | 60 months |
| 40 or older | 24 months |
- Age fixed at exam date, not flight date: window never shifts (TC AIM LRA 1.9.1).
- Category 4 not valid for PPL (CAR 404.10(3)(c); Standard 421.26(2)(b)).
Expiry (CAR 404.04(7)):
- Lapses at end of a month.
- Count starts first day of month after exam; expires that many months after exam month.
- Example: age 35, examined in March: valid to end of March, 60 months later.
Validity period (CAR 404.04(5)):
- Starts: day medical declaration signed or exam completed.
- Ends at the earliest of:
- Age-based period above.
- Any shorter period the Minister endorses on it.
- Day a new certificate is issued.
Renewal by physician's sign, date, and stamp instead of exam (CAR 404.04(1.1)). Counts from (CAR 404.04(8)):
| Renewal timing | Counts from |
|---|---|
| Within 90 days before old certificate lapses | Old expiry date |
| Otherwise | First day of following month |
Minister powers:
- Extra tests or exams by a specified date before issue or renewal; none until done. Missing date: Minister may suspend or refuse certificate (CAR 404.04(2)).
- Must extend up to 60 days past expiry if applicant applies while valid and shows no reasonable exam opportunity in preceding 90 days (CAR 404.04(10)).
Trap: do not confuse with shorter Category 1 (commercial) windows: 12 months, cut to 6 months at age 40 or older flying single-pilot with passengers, or at age 60 or older (CAR 404.04(6.1)-(6.2)).
References
- Standard 421.26(2)
- CARs 404.04(1.1)
- CARs 404.04(5)
- CARs 404.04(6)
- CARs 404.04(7)
- CARs 404.04(8)
- CARs 404.04(10)
- CARs 404.10(3)
- TC AIM LRA 1.9.1 Table 1.8