Bell's palsy
What the FAA's documents say about bell's palsy, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Bell's Palsy (Facial Nerve Palsy, Cranial Nerve Palsy)
Short version
The FAA's table sorts it into three rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AA single episode, completely resolved 5 or more years ago | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BA single episode, completely resolved less than 5 years ago | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row CAll others | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Bell's palsy
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, completely resolved 5 or more years ago. If the examiner can determine the condition was a single episode, fully resolved without sequelae, with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60.
A. Single episode Completely resolved 5 or more years ago … If the AME can determine the condition was a SINGLE EPISODE, fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
- Row B · Examiner can issue
A single episode, completely resolved less than 5 years ago. If the examiner is able to determine all four findings the row lists are true, the table says ISSUE; the examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If the examiner is unable to determine them, the table says to request the treatment records or a current neurological, ENT, or ophthalmology evaluation. If any underlying cause is found, it says to see that section; all others go to Row C.
B. Single episode Completely resolved Less than 5 years ago If the AME is able to determine ALL of the following are true: … If the AME is unable to determine above, request the treatment records or a current neurological, ENT, or ophthalmology evaluation. ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluation(s) to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause found, see that section. All others, go to Row C
- Row C · Special Issuance
All others. The row names resolved in less than one (1) week; lasted longer than three (3) months; continued or persistent symptoms; eye symptoms or surgery required to correct the condition; two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime; and any additional neurological condition, neurological symptoms, or concern. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
C. All others Resolved in less than one (1) week, Lasted longer than three (3) months, OR … Continued/persistent symptoms Eye symptoms or required surgery to correct the condition OR Two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime Any additional neurological condition, neurological symptoms, or concern … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- A note on the table, 1
Row B says that if any underlying cause is found, see that section.
If any underlying cause found, see that section.
The FAA pathways for bell's palsy
Which one describes yours?
The FAA's table sorts it these ways. Choose yours to see its plan.
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: Row A: what the examiner determines
A single episode, completely resolved 5 or more years ago.For Row A, your AME determines the condition was a single episode, fully resolved without sequelae, with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties. If so, the table says ISSUE.
If the AME can determine
- The condition was a single episode
- Fully resolved without sequelae
- No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties
At the exam
- Your AME annotates this information in Block 60
Show the FAA's words: Row A: what the examiner determines
If the AME can determine the condition was a SINGLE EPISODE, fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE
FAA source: Bell's Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
A. Single episode
Completely resolved
5 or more years ago
FAA source: Bell's Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
FAA source: Bell's Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
If the examiner can determine the condition was a single episode, fully resolved without sequelae, with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60.Exam day- If the examiner can determine the condition was a single episode, fully resolved without sequelae, with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Single episode Completely resolved 5 or more years ago
If the AME can determine the condition was a SINGLE EPISODE, fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
FAA source: Bell's Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Row AExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
If the examiner can determine the condition was a single episode, fully resolved without sequelae, with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60.
Row BExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
If the examiner is able to determine all four findings the row lists are true, the table says ISSUE; the examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If the examiner is unable to determine them, the table says to request the treatment records or a current neurological, ENT, or ophthalmology evaluation. If any underlying cause is found, it says to see that section; all others go to Row C.
Row CDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, completely resolved 5 or more years ago. If the examiner can determine the condition was a single episode, fully resolved without sequelae, with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60.
A. Single episode Completely resolved 5 or more years ago … If the AME can determine the condition was a SINGLE EPISODE, fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
- Row B · Examiner can issue
A single episode, completely resolved less than 5 years ago. If the examiner is able to determine all four findings the row lists are true, the table says ISSUE; the examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If the examiner is unable to determine them, the table says to request the treatment records or a current neurological, ENT, or ophthalmology evaluation. If any underlying cause is found, it says to see that section; all others go to Row C.
B. Single episode Completely resolved Less than 5 years ago If the AME is able to determine ALL of the following are true: … If the AME is unable to determine above, request the treatment records or a current neurological, ENT, or ophthalmology evaluation. ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluation(s) to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause found, see that section. All others, go to Row C
- Row C · Special Issuance
All others. The row names resolved in less than one (1) week; lasted longer than three (3) months; continued or persistent symptoms; eye symptoms or surgery required to correct the condition; two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime; and any additional neurological condition, neurological symptoms, or concern. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
C. All others Resolved in less than one (1) week, Lasted longer than three (3) months, OR … Continued/persistent symptoms Eye symptoms or required surgery to correct the condition OR Two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime Any additional neurological condition, neurological symptoms, or concern … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table's last row is All others. It names resolved in less than one (1) week, lasted longer than three (3) months, continued or persistent symptoms, eye symptoms or surgery required to correct the condition, two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime, and any additional neurological condition, neurological symptoms, or concern, and the table marks it DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table's last row is All others. It names resolved in less than one (1) week, lasted longer than three (3) months, continued or persistent symptoms, eye symptoms or surgery required to correct the condition, two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime, and any additional neurological condition, neurological symptoms, or concern, and the table marks it DEFER.
C. All others Resolved in less than one (1) week, Lasted longer than three (3) months, OR … Continued/persistent symptoms Eye symptoms or required surgery to correct the condition OR Two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime Any additional neurological condition, neurological symptoms, or concern … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workGood to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
Two episodes in a lifetime is Row C
Rows A and B are for a single episode. Row C's list names two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime, and the table marks it DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Two (2) or more episodes in a lifetime … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
Row B's timing is more than a week, resolved within 3 months
Row B's first finding is that the condition or symptoms lasted more than 1 week and fully resolved within 3 months. Row C's list names resolved in less than one (1) week and lasted longer than three (3) months.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
1. The condition/symptoms lasted more than 1 week, and fully resolved within 3 months. … C. All others Resolved in less than one (1) week, Lasted longer than three (3) months, OR
No eye symptoms must be stated
For Row C, if there are no eye symptoms or surgery, the table says this must be stated in the clinical progress note or the AME notes.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
If no eye symptoms or surgery, this must be stated in the clinical progress note or AME notes.
Row B sends any evaluation to the pilot's file
Row B is ISSUE, and the table has the examiner annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 5
ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluation(s) to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file.
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.