Diabetes controlled by diet
What the FAA's documents say about diabetes controlled by diet, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Diet Controlled Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic SyndromeCovers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
DIABETES MELLITUS All Classes
Short version
This is the row of the diabetes disposition table marked ISSUE.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row ADiabetes controlled by diet, or in remission, or treated with lifestyle intervention. | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BDiabetes treated with one or more diabetic medications other than insulin. This is a different page. | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
| Row CDiabetes treated with any type of insulin. This is a different page. | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Diabetes controlled by diet
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Diabetes controlled by diet, or in remission, or treated with lifestyle intervention. The table marks this row ISSUE and has the examiner summarise the history and annotate Block 60, sending them to the diet-controlled protocol.
Diet Controlled/In Remission or treated with lifestyle intervention … See Diabetes Mellitus – Diet Controlled Protocol … ISSUE Summarize this history, annotate Block 60
- Row B · Special Issuance
Diabetes treated with one or more diabetic medications other than insulin. This is a different page. The table marks this row DEFER, says the information goes to the FAA, and that an initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
Treated with one or more (non-insulin) diabetic medications … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA. … Initial Special Issuance – Requires FAA Decision
- Row C · Special Issuance
Diabetes treated with any type of insulin. This is a different page. The table marks this row DEFER and says the information goes to the FAA. A first- or second-class applicant uses the continuous glucose monitoring protocol; a third-class applicant may use that one or the non-CGM third-class protocol.
Treated with ANY type of insulin … 1 st and 2 nd class must use: Diabetes Mellitus Type I or Type II - Insulin Treated - CGM Option Protocol … 3 rd class may use the CGM protocol above OR the Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Non CGM – Third Class Option Protocol … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA.
The FAA pathways for diabetes controlled by diet
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: What the Guide says the examiner looks at
Evidence of associated disqualifying disease, and the record on Form 8500-8.Diabetes controlled by diet alone, with no evidence of associated disqualifying cardiovascular, neurological, renal or ophthalmological disease.
At the exam
- No specialized examinations, unless your history or the clinical findings call for them
- Your AME documents these determinations on FAA Form 8500-8
Show the FAA's words: What the Guide says the examiner looks at
Applicants with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus controlled by diet alone
provided they have no evidence of associated disqualifying cardiovascular, neurological, renal, or ophthalmological disease.
FAA source: Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners – Diabetes Mellitus, Diet Controlled. FAA date 9 April 2013; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
The Examiner must document these determinations on FAA Form 8500-8.
FAA source: Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners – Diabetes Mellitus, Diet Controlled. FAA date 9 April 2013; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Specialized examinations need not be performed unless indicated by history or clinical findings.
FAA source: Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners – Diabetes Mellitus, Diet Controlled. FAA date 9 April 2013; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Prior records at a first examination
The examiner's part in obtaining prior records and current special testing.Prior records and current special testing, when you are first examined with a history of diabetes.
Show the FAA's words: Prior records at a first examination
When an applicant with a history of diabetes is examined for the first time, the Examiner should explain the procedures involved and assist in obtaining prior records and current special testing.
FAA source: Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners – Diabetes Mellitus, Diet Controlled. FAA date 9 April 2013; 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
The table marks this row ISSUE and has the examiner summarise the history and annotate Block 60, sending them to the diet-controlled protocol.
Row BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table marks this row DEFER, says the information goes to the FAA, and that an initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
Row CDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table marks this row DEFER and says the information goes to the FAA. A first- or second-class applicant uses the continuous glucose monitoring protocol; a third-class applicant may use that one or the non-CGM third-class protocol.
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Diabetes controlled by diet, or in remission, or treated with lifestyle intervention. The table marks this row ISSUE and has the examiner summarise the history and annotate Block 60, sending them to the diet-controlled protocol.
Diet Controlled/In Remission or treated with lifestyle intervention … See Diabetes Mellitus – Diet Controlled Protocol … ISSUE Summarize this history, annotate Block 60
- Row B · Special Issuance
Diabetes treated with one or more diabetic medications other than insulin. This is a different page. The table marks this row DEFER, says the information goes to the FAA, and that an initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
Treated with one or more (non-insulin) diabetic medications … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA. … Initial Special Issuance – Requires FAA Decision
- Row C · Special Issuance
Diabetes treated with any type of insulin. This is a different page. The table marks this row DEFER and says the information goes to the FAA. A first- or second-class applicant uses the continuous glucose monitoring protocol; a third-class applicant may use that one or the non-CGM third-class protocol.
Treated with ANY type of insulin … 1 st and 2 nd class must use: Diabetes Mellitus Type I or Type II - Insulin Treated - CGM Option Protocol … 3 rd class may use the CGM protocol above OR the Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Non CGM – Third Class Option Protocol … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA.
Good 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.
Remission shares the diet-control row
The table's row reads diet controlled, in remission, or treated with lifestyle intervention, and it is marked ISSUE.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Diet Controlled/In Remission or treated with lifestyle intervention … ISSUE Summarize this history, annotate Block 60
Non-insulin medication is a different row
Treatment with one or more non-insulin diabetes medications is a different row of the same table. It is marked DEFER, and the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
Treated with one or more (non-insulin) diabetic medications … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA. … Initial Special Issuance – Requires FAA Decision
When a diagnosis counts as established
The Guide says a diagnosis of diabetes may be considered previously established when it has been, or clearly could be, made from supporting lab findings, clinical signs and symptoms, or both.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
A medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus may be considered previously established when the diagnosis has been or clearly could be made because of supporting laboratory findings and/or clinical signs and symptoms.
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.
- Diabetes Mellitus Disposition TableOpen to print: Diabetes Mellitus Disposition Table, a PDF at the FAA, in a new tab
Examiner can issue, Special Issuance
- Open at the FAA: Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners – Diabetes Mellitus, Diet Controlled, a page 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
Related conditions
Each has its own page, with what the FAA's documents say about it.
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.