Nephritis and nephrosis
What the FAA's documents say about nephritis and nephrosis, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: G-U System - Inflammatory Conditions
Pyelitis, pyelonephritis and pyonephrosis
The Guide's Item 41 also has a page titled Nephritis, with rows for pyelitis or pyelonephritis, and pyonephrosis.
Short version
The G-U System Inflammatory Conditions table has three rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Acute nephritis: the line marked IssueAcute nephritis: the line marked Issue | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Acute nephritis: otherwiseAcute nephritis: otherwise | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Chronic nephritisChronic nephritis | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| NephrosisNephrosis | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Nephritis and nephrosis
- Acute nephritis: the line marked Issue · Examiner can issue
Acute nephritis, all classes, on the disposition's first line, which reads if more than 3 months ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence (as printed). The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says Issue on this line.
Acute (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue … Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision
- Acute nephritis: otherwise · FAA review
Acute nephritis, all classes, otherwise than the line marked Issue. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says otherwise, Requires FAA Decision.
Acute (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue … Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision
- Chronic nephritis · FAA review
Chronic nephritis, all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Chronic (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … Requires FAA Decision
- Nephrosis · FAA review
Nephrosis, all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Nephrosis … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … Requires FAA Decision
The FAA pathways for nephritis and nephrosis
- How this pathway works: Examiner can issueNo special pathwayAcute nephritis: the line marked Issue
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Acute nephritis: otherwise
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: Medical information and the status report
What every row's evaluation data asks for.All pertinent medical information
All pertinent medical information.
Status report
A status report.
Show the FAA's words: Medical information and the status report
Submit all pertinent medical information and status report
FAA source: Inflammatory Conditions. FAA date 7 January 2021; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Acute nephritis: the disposition
The line marked Issue, and otherwise.For acute nephritis the disposition has two lines.
Issue
- If more than 3 months ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence (as printed)
Otherwise
- Requires FAA Decision
Show the FAA's words: Acute nephritis: the disposition
Acute (Nephritis)
If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue
Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision
FAA source: Inflammatory Conditions. FAA date 7 January 2021; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: See your AME
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says Issue on this line.Exam day- The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says Issue on this line.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
Acute (Nephritis)
All
Submit all pertinent medical information and status report
If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue
Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision
FAA source: Inflammatory Conditions. 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.
Acute nephritis: the line marked IssueExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says Issue on this line.
Acute nephritis: otherwiseDefers to the FAAFAA review
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says otherwise, Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersChronic nephritisDefers to the FAAFAA review
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersNephrosisDefers to the FAAFAA review
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Acute nephritis: the line marked Issue · Examiner can issue
Acute nephritis, all classes, on the disposition's first line, which reads if more than 3 months ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence (as printed). The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says Issue on this line.
Acute (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue … Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision
- Acute nephritis: otherwise · FAA review
Acute nephritis, all classes, otherwise than the line marked Issue. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition says otherwise, Requires FAA Decision.
Acute (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue … Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision
- Chronic nephritis · FAA review
Chronic nephritis, all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Chronic (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … Requires FAA Decision
- Nephrosis · FAA review
Nephrosis, all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Nephrosis … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … Requires FAA Decision
If the examiner defersFAA review
For acute nephritis, otherwise than the line marked Issue, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
The table marks chronic nephritis Requires FAA Decision.
The table marks nephrosis Requires FAA Decision.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. All pertinent medical information.
- Item 2. A status report.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
For acute nephritis, otherwise than the line marked Issue, the table says Requires FAA Decision.
Acute (Nephritis) … Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 2
The table marks chronic nephritis Requires FAA Decision.
Chronic (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 3
The table marks nephrosis Requires FAA Decision.
Nephrosis … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … Requires FAA Decision
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
All pertinent medical information.
Submit all pertinent medical information and status report
- Item 2
A status report.
Submit all pertinent medical information and status report
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.
How the acute line is printed
The acute row's line reads if more than 3 months ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence, Issue. As printed, the "or" sits between "no sequela" and "indication of reoccurrence", and the table does not say whether "no" carries on to the indication of reoccurrence. This page shows the line as printed.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue
The evaluation data is the same on every row
All three rows ask for all pertinent medical information and a status report, including the acute row's line marked Issue.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
Acute (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … If > 3 mos. ago, resolved, no sequela, or indication of reoccurrence - Issue … Chronic (Nephritis) … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report … Nephrosis … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and status report
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.