Guillain-Barre syndrome
What the FAA's documents say about guillain-Barre syndrome, 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
GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME All Classes
- Row B's note says that if associated with a seizure, refer to the Seizure section, and that a recovery period may apply. Crosscheck has a page on seizures and epilepsy, written from the FAA's Seizure and Epilepsy tables.
Short version
The disposition table has two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AA single episode, fully resolved, a minimum of 6 months of stability | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BUnder 6 months stable, two or more episodes, symptoms or complications | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, no complications, fully resolved and recovered, with a minimum of six (6) months of stability. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae. Its note says that if the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the examiner must review documentation from the treating physician. The row also says that if six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. The examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause is found, the row says see that section.
A. Single episode, No complications, Fully resolved and recovered With a minimum of six (6) months of stability If the AME can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae: Note: If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the AME must review documentation from the treating physician. If six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause found, see that section.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Less than six (6) months of stability after the episode, two or more episodes in a lifetime, continued symptoms, or complications. 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. The row's note says that if associated with a seizure, refer to the Seizure section, and that a recovery period may apply.
B. Less than six (6) months of stability after episode, Two or more episodes in a lifetime, Continued symptoms, OR Complications Submit the following for FAA review: … Note: If associated with a seizure, refer to the Seizure section. A recovery period may apply. DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
The FAA pathways for guillain-Barre syndrome
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: Row A: what the examiner determines
A single episode, fully resolved, with a minimum of six months of stability.If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months.
If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months.
If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, your AME must review documentation from the treating physician.
If your AME can determine
- This was a single episode
- Fully resolved, with no complications or sequelae
At the exam
- Your AME annotates Block 60
- And submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in your file
Show the FAA's words: Row A: what the examiner determines
Note: If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the AME must review documentation from the treating physician.
FAA source: Guillain Barre Syndrome. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
A. Single episode, No complications, Fully resolved and recovered With a minimum of six (6) months of stability
If six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B.
FAA source: Guillain Barre Syndrome. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
If the AME can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae:
ISSUE
FAA source: Guillain Barre Syndrome. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file.
FAA source: Guillain Barre Syndrome. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
If any underlying cause found, see that section.
FAA source: Guillain Barre Syndrome. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae. Its note says that if the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the examiner must review documentation from the treating physician. The row also says that if six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. The examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause is found, the row says see that section.Exam day- The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae. Its note says that if the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the examiner must review documentation from the treating physician. The row also says that if six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. The examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause is found, the row says see that section.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Single episode, No complications, Fully resolved and recovered With a minimum of six (6) months of stability If the AME can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae: Note: If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the AME must review documentation from the treating physician. If six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause found, see that section.
FAA source: Guillain Barre Syndrome. FAA date 25 January 2023; 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 says ISSUE if the examiner can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae. Its note says that if the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the examiner must review documentation from the treating physician. The row also says that if six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. The examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause is found, the row says see that section.
Row BDefers 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. The row's note says that if associated with a seizure, refer to the Seizure section, and that a recovery period may apply.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, no complications, fully resolved and recovered, with a minimum of six (6) months of stability. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae. Its note says that if the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the examiner must review documentation from the treating physician. The row also says that if six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. The examiner annotates Block 60 and submits any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause is found, the row says see that section.
A. Single episode, No complications, Fully resolved and recovered With a minimum of six (6) months of stability If the AME can determine this was a single episode, fully resolved with no complications or sequelae: Note: If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the AME must review documentation from the treating physician. If six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file. If any underlying cause found, see that section.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Less than six (6) months of stability after the episode, two or more episodes in a lifetime, continued symptoms, or complications. 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. The row's note says that if associated with a seizure, refer to the Seizure section, and that a recovery period may apply.
B. Less than six (6) months of stability after episode, Two or more episodes in a lifetime, Continued symptoms, OR Complications Submit the following for FAA review: … Note: If associated with a seizure, refer to the Seizure section. A recovery period may apply. DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row B, less than six (6) months of stability after the episode, two or more episodes in a lifetime, continued symptoms, or complications, 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 specifically include if there is any persisting deficit and period of stability without symptoms. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
- Item 3. Other testing already performed or deemed necessary by the pilot's physician.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row B, less than six (6) months of stability after the episode, two or more episodes in a lifetime, continued symptoms, or complications, DEFER.
B. Less than six (6) months of stability after episode, Two or more episodes in a lifetime, Continued symptoms, OR Complications … 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 specifically include if there is any persisting deficit and period of stability without symptoms. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
2. It must specifically include if there is any persisting deficit and period of stability without symptoms.
- Item 3
Other testing already performed or deemed necessary by the pilot's physician.
3. Other testing already performed or deemed necessary by the pilot's physician.
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.
Row A still sends evaluations to the FAA
Row A is marked ISSUE, and the table has the examiner annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
ISSUE Annotate Block 60 and submit any evaluations to the FAA for retention in the pilot's file.
Less than six months of stability is Row B
Row A is for a minimum of six (6) months of stability, and says that if six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. Row B, less than six (6) months of stability after the episode, is marked DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
With a minimum of six (6) months of stability … If six (6) months of stability has not been met, go to Row B. … B. Less than six (6) months of stability after episode, … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
An episode within the previous 12 months
For Row A, the table's note says that if the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the examiner must review documentation from the treating physician. It does not say what the documentation is.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
Note: If the episode occurred within the previous 12 months, the AME must review documentation from the treating physician.
Two or more episodes is Row B
Row B includes two or more episodes in a lifetime, and the table marks it DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
Two or more episodes in a lifetime, … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
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.
- Guillain Barre SyndromeOpen to print: Guillain Barre Syndrome, a PDF at the FAA, in a new tab
Examiner can issue, Special Issuance
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.