Blood disorders
What the FAA's documents say about blood disorders, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Blood and Blood-Forming Tissue Disease
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL/SLL)
This table has a row of its own for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Crosscheck has a page on CLL/SLL, written from the FAA's CLL/SLL disposition table, CACI worksheet and AASI.Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
This table's leukemia row is for leukemia, acute and chronic, all types. Crosscheck has a page on acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), written from the FAA's disposition table for it.
Short version
The FAA's table sorts it into six rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| AnemiaAnemia | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| HemophiliaHemophilia | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All TypesLeukemia, acute and chronic, all types | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaChronic lymphocytic leukemia | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
| Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissuesOther disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| PolycythemiaPolycythemia | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Blood disorders
- Anemia · FAA review
Anemia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC and any other tests deemed necessary, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Anemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include a CBC, and any other tests deemed necessary … Requires FAA Decision
- Hemophilia · FAA review
Hemophilia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including the frequency, severity and location of bleeding sites, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Hemophilia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include frequency, severity and location of bleeding sites … Requires FAA Decision
- Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All Types · FAA review
Leukemia, acute and chronic, all types, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All Types … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia · Special Issuance
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. It says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision, and for Followup Special Issuance's (as printed), it says See AASI Protocol.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision … Followup Special Issuance's - See AASI Protocol
- Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues · FAA review
Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues that could adversely affect performance of airman duties, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues that could adversely affect performance of airman duties … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
- Polycythemia · FAA review
Polycythemia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Polycythemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports; include CBC … Requires FAA Decision
The FAA pathways for blood disorders
Which exam
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: Anemia: what to submit
The table's anemia row, for the FAA's decision.A current status report and all pertinent medical reports.
Include
- A CBC
- Any other tests deemed necessary
Show the FAA's words: Anemia: what to submit
Anemia
All
Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include a CBC, and any other tests deemed necessary
FAA source: Blood and Blood-Forming Tissue Disease. FAA date 7 January 2021; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC and any other tests deemed necessary, and says Requires FAA Decision.Exam day- The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC and any other tests deemed necessary, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
Anemia
All
Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include a CBC, and any other tests deemed necessary
Requires FAA Decision
FAA source: Blood and Blood-Forming Tissue Disease. FAA date 7 January 2021; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
AnemiaDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC and any other tests deemed necessary, and says Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersHemophiliaDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including the frequency, severity and location of bleeding sites, and says Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersLeukemia, Acute and Chronic - All TypesDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, and says Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersChronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. It says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision, and for Followup Special Issuance's (as printed), it says See AASI Protocol.
If the examiner defersOther disease of the blood or blood-forming tissuesDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, and says Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersPolycythemiaDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC, and says Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Anemia · FAA review
Anemia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC and any other tests deemed necessary, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Anemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include a CBC, and any other tests deemed necessary … Requires FAA Decision
- Hemophilia · FAA review
Hemophilia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including the frequency, severity and location of bleeding sites, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Hemophilia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include frequency, severity and location of bleeding sites … Requires FAA Decision
- Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All Types · FAA review
Leukemia, acute and chronic, all types, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All Types … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia · Special Issuance
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. It says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision, and for Followup Special Issuance's (as printed), it says See AASI Protocol.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision … Followup Special Issuance's - See AASI Protocol
- Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues · FAA review
Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues that could adversely affect performance of airman duties, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues that could adversely affect performance of airman duties … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
- Polycythemia · FAA review
Polycythemia, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including a CBC, and says Requires FAA Decision.
Polycythemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports; include CBC … Requires FAA Decision
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
For anemia, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
For hemophilia, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
For leukemia, acute and chronic, all types, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
For chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the table says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
For other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues that could adversely affect performance of airman duties, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
For polycythemia, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
For anemia, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
Anemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include a CBC, and any other tests deemed necessary … Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 2
For hemophilia, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
Hemophilia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include frequency, severity and location of bleeding sites … Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 3
For leukemia, acute and chronic, all types, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All Types … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 4
For chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the table says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 5
For other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues that could adversely affect performance of airman duties, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
Other disease of the blood or blood-forming tissues that could adversely affect performance of airman duties … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 6
For polycythemia, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
Polycythemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports; include CBC … Requires FAA Decision
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.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia has a row of its own
The table has a row for leukemia, acute and chronic, all types, which says Requires FAA Decision, and a separate row for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, where the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision and, for Followup Special Issuance's (as printed), it says See AASI Protocol. The table's words fit both rows, and this page shows both as printed.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All Types … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision … Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision … Followup Special Issuance's - See AASI Protocol
ALL and CLL/SLL also have tables of their own
This table's leukemia row says Requires FAA Decision, and its chronic lymphocytic leukemia row says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision. The FAA also publishes a disposition table for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), whose Row A is marked ISSUE, and one for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), whose Row A sends the examiner to a CACI worksheet. This page shows each document as published, and each of those tables has its own page.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
Leukemia, Acute and Chronic - All Types … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision … Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) All Classes … A. Treatment completed ten (10) or more years ago … ISSUE Summarize this history in Block 60
CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (CLL)/ SMALL LYMPHOCYTIC LYMPHOMA (SLL) All Classes … See the CACI - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/ Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) Worksheet.
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.
- Blood and Blood-Forming Tissue DiseaseOpen to print: Blood and Blood-Forming Tissue Disease, a page at the FAA, in a new tab
Special Issuance, FAA review
- Open to print: AASI – CLL and SLL, a page at the FAA, in a new tab
- Open at the FAA: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, a PDF at the FAA, in a new tab
- Open at the FAA: CLL/SLL Disposition Table, a PDF at the FAA, in a new tab
- Open at the FAA: Pilot Information – What a Detailed Clinical Progress Note must contain, a PDF at the FAA, in a new tab
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.