Cerebral palsy
What the FAA's documents say about cerebral palsy, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
CEREBRAL PALSY All Classes
Short version
The disposition table has one row, any history of cerebral palsy.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAny history | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Cerebral palsy
- Row A · Special Issuance
Any history of cerebral palsy. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. Any history Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
The FAA pathways for cerebral palsy
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The neurological evaluation
From your treating neurologist, and the table's second item.Neurological evaluation
Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed neurological evaluation, in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with your treating neurologist, no more than 90 days before the exam.
The table's second item
The table's second item: it must include and evaluation (as printed) of items such as balance, strength, range of motion limitations and pain.
It must describe
- Any functional deficits or limitations for both large and small muscle groups as well as dexterity to operate an aircraft
Show the FAA's words: The neurological evaluation
1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation, in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
FAA source: Cerebral Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
2. It must include and evaluation of items such as balance, strength, range of motion limitations and pain. It must describe any functional deficits or limitations for both large and small muscle groups as well as dexterity to operate an aircraft.
FAA source: Cerebral Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: School and academic records
All of them, as the table lists them.All school/academic records.
The table lists
- Educational accommodations
- Individual Education Plan (IEP), such as a "504" plan
- Educational support services provided
- Educational assessments and testing associated with IEP or individualized accommodations
- Neuropsychological assessments and testing
- Educational transcripts
- If available, chief pilot reports
Show the FAA's words: School and academic records
3. All school/academic records: Educational accommodations, Individual Education Plan (IEP) such as a "504" plan, educational support services provided, educational assessments and testing associated with IEP or individualized accommodations, neuropsychological assessments and testing, educational transcripts, and, if available, chief pilot reports.
FAA source: Cerebral Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: What the table's notes say
Additional information, and a Medical Flight Test (MFT).The table's notes say that in some cases additional information may be required after review, and that physical limitations associated with CP may require a Medical Flight Test (MFT).
In some cases
Additional information such as brain imaging (MRI/CT) or neurocognitive testing may be required after review of the above items.
Medical Flight Test (MFT)
Physical limitations associated with CP may require a Medical Flight Test (MFT).
If a MFT is required, the note says to state which FSDO the individual would prefer to use.
Show the FAA's words: What the table's notes say
Note: In some cases, additional information such as brain imaging (MRI/CT) or neurocognitive testing may be required after review of the above items.
FAA source: Cerebral Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Physical limitations associated with CP may require a Medical Flight Test (MFT). If a MFT is required, please state which FSDO the individual would prefer to use.
FAA source: Cerebral Palsy. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
Row ADefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and 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 · Special Issuance
Any history of cerebral palsy. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. Any history 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 marks its one row, any history of cerebral palsy, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation, in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
- Item 2. The table's second item, which reads that it must include and evaluation (as printed) of items such as balance, strength, range of motion limitations and pain, and must describe any functional deficits or limitations for both large and small muscle groups as well as dexterity to operate an aircraft. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
- Item 3. All school/academic records, as the table lists them.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks its one row, any history of cerebral palsy, DEFER.
A. Any history … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed neurological evaluation, in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation, in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
- Item 2
The table's second item, which reads that it must include and evaluation (as printed) of items such as balance, strength, range of motion limitations and pain, and must describe any functional deficits or limitations for both large and small muscle groups as well as dexterity to operate an aircraft. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
2. It must include and evaluation of items such as balance, strength, range of motion limitations and pain. It must describe any functional deficits or limitations for both large and small muscle groups as well as dexterity to operate an aircraft.
- Item 3
All school/academic records, as the table lists them.
3. All school/academic records:
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.
School and academic records are on the list
The table asks for all school/academic records. Its list includes Individual Education Plan (IEP) such as a "504" plan, neuropsychological assessments and testing, educational transcripts, and, if available, chief pilot reports.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
3. All school/academic records: … Individual Education Plan (IEP) such as a "504" plan, … neuropsychological assessments and testing, educational transcripts, and, if available, chief pilot reports.
The table's second item
The table's second item reads that it must include and evaluation (as printed) of items such as balance, strength, range of motion limitations and pain, and that it must describe any functional deficits or limitations for both large and small muscle groups as well as dexterity to operate an aircraft. It is a numbered item of its own, and it does not say what "it" refers to.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
2. It must include and evaluation of items such as balance, strength, range of motion limitations and pain. It must describe any functional deficits or limitations for both large and small muscle groups as well as dexterity to operate an aircraft.
What the table's notes add
The table's notes say that in some cases additional information such as brain imaging (MRI/CT) or neurocognitive testing may be required after review of the above items, and that physical limitations associated with CP may require a Medical Flight Test (MFT). If a MFT is required, the note says to state which FSDO the individual would prefer to use.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
Note: In some cases, additional information such as brain imaging (MRI/CT) or neurocognitive testing may be required after review of the above items. Physical limitations associated with CP may require a Medical Flight Test (MFT). If a MFT is required, please state which FSDO the individual would prefer to use.
The evaluation follows the FAA's specifications
The table asks for a neurological evaluation in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation. The table names those specifications and does not set them out, and this page does not quote them.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
A current, detailed neurological evaluation, in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation
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.