05/21/2026
Are you a pilot with a history of ADHD or do you know one?
A diagnosis does not automatically disqualify a pilot from FAA medical certification. But the process is complicated, and small documentation errors can cause delays of six months or more.
The FAA updated its ADHD evaluation framework in October 2024.
There are now two pathways:
The Fast Track applies if you have had no symptoms, no ADHD medication of any kind, no major problems in work or daily life related to ADHD, and no other psychiatric history - all within the past four years. If all four conditions are met, a qualified Aviation Medical Examiner can issue your certificate the same day as your exam.
The Standard Track applies to everyone else. It involves a referral to a HIMS neuropsychologist, a 90-day medication washout period before testing, a full neuropsychological test battery, and FAA review. Well-organized cases still typically take six to twelve months from start to finish.
The most common mistakes - wrong track, incomplete records, the wrong type of urine drug screen - can set the process back significantly.
I have put together a complete guide covering both pathways, the full document checklist, the errors to avoid, and what the FAA is actually evaluating when it reviews these cases.
Read the full guide here:
https://holcombemedicalconsulting.com/resources/adhd-faa-medical-certification-pilots
I am a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and board-certified occupational medicine physician. I work with pilots navigating complex FAA certification cases and also offer direct primary care for pilots who need physician-documented medical records as part of their submission. Feel free to reach out with questions.
Thomas P. Holcombe, MD, MPH, MA
Holcombe Medical Consulting, PLLC
holcombemedicalconsulting.com