Endocarditis
What the FAA's documents say about endocarditis, 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
ENDOCARDITIS All Classes
- Row A says that if the diagnosis resulted in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, see that page, and does not name it. Crosscheck has a page on heart valve replacement, written from the FAA's Cardiac Valve Replacement Protocol, its Item 36 page on valvular disease and its third-class AASI for single valve replacement or repair.
- Crosscheck also has a page on mitral valve repair, written from the FAA's Mitral Valve Repair disposition table and CACI worksheet.
Short version
The disposition table has one row, a current or historical diagnosis.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AA current or historical diagnosis | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Endocarditis
- Row A · Special Issuance
A current or historical diagnosis. The row says that if it resulted in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, see that page; it does not name the page. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Block 60.
A. Current or historical diagnosis If resulting in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, see that page. Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
The FAA pathways for endocarditis
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The progress note
From an infectious disease specialist or cardiologist.Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed progress note from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or cardiologist, no more than 90 days before the exam.
It should include
- A summary of the history of the condition or diagnosis
- Current medications, dosages, and side effects, if any
- Clinical exam findings
- Results of any testing performed
- Diagnosis
- Assessment and plan (prognosis)
- Follow-up
Show the FAA's words: The progress note
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or cardiologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam. It should include a summary of the history of the condition or diagnosis; current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); clinical exam findings; results of any testing performed; diagnosis; assessment and plan (prognosis); and follow-up.
FAA source: Endocarditis. FAA date 24 June 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Echo, other testing and hospital records
The other items the table lists.Echocardiogram (echo)
Within 90 days before the examCopies of a 2-D and Doppler flow study report, no more than 90 days before the exam.
Other testing
If deemed clinically necessary and already performed.
If deemed clinically necessary and already performed.
Any other testing deemed clinically necessary and already performed by the treating physician.
Hospital records
Hospital records, as the table lists them.
The table lists
- History and Physical (H&P), operative notes, and discharge summary (if applicable)
Show the FAA's words: Echo, other testing and hospital records
2. Echocardiogram (Echo). Copies of a 2-D and Doppler flow study report performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
FAA source: Endocarditis. FAA date 24 June 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
3. Other testing: Any deemed clinically necessary and already performed by the treating physician.
FAA source: Endocarditis. FAA date 24 June 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
4. Hospital records: History and Physical (H&P), operative notes, and discharge summary (if applicable).
FAA source: Endocarditis. FAA date 24 June 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: If there was valve repair or replacement
Row A points to another page.If the diagnosis resulted in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, Row A says to see that page.
Show the FAA's words: If there was valve repair or replacement
If resulting in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, see that page.
FAA source: Endocarditis. FAA date 24 June 2026; 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. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Block 60.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Special Issuance
A current or historical diagnosis. The row says that if it resulted in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, see that page; it does not name the page. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Block 60.
A. Current or historical diagnosis If resulting in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, see that page. Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row A, a current or historical diagnosis, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or cardiologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
- Item 2. An echocardiogram (echo): copies of a 2-D and Doppler flow study report performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam.
- Item 3. Other testing, any deemed clinically necessary and already performed by the treating physician.
- Item 4. Hospital records -- the history and physical (H&P), operative notes, and discharge summary (if applicable).
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, a current or historical diagnosis, DEFER.
A. Current or historical diagnosis … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or cardiologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or cardiologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
- Item 2
An echocardiogram (echo): copies of a 2-D and Doppler flow study report performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam.
2. Echocardiogram (Echo). Copies of a 2-D and Doppler flow study report performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
- Item 3
Other testing, any deemed clinically necessary and already performed by the treating physician.
3. Other testing: Any deemed clinically necessary and already performed by the treating physician.
- Item 4
Hospital records -- the history and physical (H&P), operative notes, and discharge summary (if applicable).
4. Hospital records: History and Physical (H&P), operative notes, and discharge summary (if applicable).
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.
A past diagnosis is in the row too
The table's one row is a current or historical diagnosis, and it is marked DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
A. Current or historical diagnosis … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
Valve repair or replacement points to another page
Where the diagnosis resulted in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, Row A says to see that page and names no page. The table does not say whether the list on this page still applies then, and this page shows the row as printed.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
If resulting in cardiac valve repair or valve replacement, see that page.
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.