HIV
What the FAA's documents say about HIV, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Which exam
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: What the application includes
The reports, tests and cognitive assessment the protocol lists.Reports of examination and a medical history
Reports of examination by a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of HIV infected persons, and a medical history.
The medical history
- Emphasizing symptoms and treatment referable to the immune and neurologic system
For initial consideration
The protocol also says to see the HIV Specification Sheet for the required clinical reports and documentation, including cognitive testing.
Viral load, CD4+ count, CBC and liver function tests
The reports must include these tests.
The reports must include
- A "viral load" determination by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- A CD4+ lymphocyte count
- A complete blood count
- The results of liver function tests
At the time of initial application
- Viral load must not exceed 1,000 copies per milliliter of plasma
Assessment of cognitive function
An assessment of cognitive function, preferably by Cogscreen or other test battery acceptable to the Federal Air Surgeon.
At the time of initial application
- Cognitive testing must show no significant deficit(s) that would preclude the safe performance of airman duties
Show the FAA's words: What the application includes
Application for special issuance must include reports of examination by a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of HIV infected persons and a medical history emphasizing symptoms and treatment referable to the immune and neurologic system.
FAA source: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FAA date 23 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
In addition, these reports must include a "viral load" determination by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), CD4+ lymphocyte count, a complete blood count, and the results of liver function tests.
FAA source: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FAA date 23 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
An assessment of cognitive function (preferably by Cogscreen or other test battery acceptable to the Federal Air Surgeon) must be submitted. Additional cognitive function tests may be required as indicated by results of the cognitive tests.
FAA source: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FAA date 23 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
At the time of initial application, viral load must not exceed 1,000 copies per milliliter of plasma, and cognitive testing must show no significant deficit(s) that would preclude the safe performance of airman duties.
FAA source: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FAA date 23 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
For initial consideration, see the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Specification Sheet ( PDF ) for the required clinical reports and documentation (including cognitive testing).
FAA source: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FAA date 23 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Antiretroviral medication
When the protocol says persons on it will be considered.Persons on antiretroviral medication will be considered only if the medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used in accordance with an acceptable drug therapy protocol.
Show the FAA's words: Antiretroviral medication
Persons on antiretroviral medication will be considered only if the medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used in accordance with an acceptable drug therapy protocol. Acceptable protocols are cited in Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV Infected Adults and Adolescents developed by the Department of Health and Human Services Panel on Clinical Practices for Treatment of HIV Infection.
FAA source: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FAA date 23 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: HIV medication for prevention
Long-term prevention or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).If taking HIV medication for long-term prevention or PrEP.
For persons taking HIV medication for long-term prevention or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), the protocol says to see Item 48. General Systemic - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Show the FAA's words: HIV medication for prevention
For persons taking HIV medication for long-term prevention or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), see Item 48. General Systemic - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) .
FAA source: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FAA date 23 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Good to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
Two paragraphs on what the application includes
Two paragraphs of the protocol open with nearly the same sentence on what an application for special issuance must include. The first goes on to list the viral load, CD4+ lymphocyte count, complete blood count, liver function tests and cognitive assessment, and the levels at the time of initial application. The second says that for initial consideration, see the HIV Specification Sheet for the required clinical reports and documentation (including cognitive testing). This page shows both as printed.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
Application for special issuance must include reports of examination by a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of HIV infected persons … In addition, these reports must include a "viral load" determination by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), CD4+ lymphocyte count, a complete blood count, and the results of liver function tests. An assessment of cognitive function (preferably by Cogscreen or other test battery acceptable to the Federal Air Surgeon) must be submitted. … At the time of initial application, viral load must not exceed 1,000 copies per milliliter of plasma, and cognitive testing must show no significant deficit(s) that would preclude the safe performance of airman duties. … Application for special issuance must include reports of examination by a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of HIV-infected persons and a medical history emphasizing symptoms and treatment referable to the immune and neurologic system. For initial consideration, see the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Specification Sheet ( PDF ) for the required clinical reports and documentation (including cognitive testing).
Viral load and cognitive testing at initial application
At the time of initial application, the protocol says viral load must not exceed 1,000 copies per milliliter of plasma, and cognitive testing must show no significant deficit(s) that would preclude the safe performance of airman duties. Additional cognitive function tests may be required as indicated by the results of the cognitive tests.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Additional cognitive function tests may be required as indicated by results of the cognitive tests. At the time of initial application, viral load must not exceed 1,000 copies per milliliter of plasma, and cognitive testing must show no significant deficit(s) that would preclude the safe performance of airman duties.
HIV medication for prevention points to another page
For persons taking HIV medication for long-term prevention or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), the protocol says to see Item 48. General Systemic - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
For persons taking HIV medication for long-term prevention or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), see Item 48. General Systemic - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) .
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.