Myasthenia gravis
What the FAA's documents say about myasthenia gravis, 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
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS All Classes
- Row A's note says that if associated with a seizure, see that page, and that an additional 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, and both defer to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AGeneralized myasthenia gravis, after a 1-year recovery period | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
| Row BOcular myasthenia gravis | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Myasthenia gravis
- Row A · Special Issuance
Generalized myasthenia gravis. The row requires a one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis. After the 1-year recovery, 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, see that page, and that an additional recovery period may apply.
A. Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Requires one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis. After 1-year recovery, submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. … Note: If associated with a seizure see that page. An additional recovery period may apply.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Ocular myasthenia gravis. The table asks for all items listed in Row A above, and says that if ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist may be required. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Submit the following for FAA review: 1. All items listed in Row A above. 2. If ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist may be required. DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
The FAA pathways for myasthenia gravis
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's recovery period
One year after diagnosis, before what the table lists is submitted.For Row A the table requires a one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis, and what it lists is submitted for FAA review after the 1-year recovery.
Show the FAA's words: Row A's recovery period
A. Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Requires one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis. After 1-year recovery, submit the following for FAA review:
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: The neurological evaluation
From your treating neurologist, with what the table's second item names.Neurological evaluation
Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with your treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
The table's second item
Row A's second item: it must specifically include what it lists.
It must specifically include
- Medications prescribed for this condition, including start and stop dates, dosages, and side effects (if any)
- How long the condition has been stable
- Any periods of weakness, motor fluctuations, or fatigability
- Any history of myasthenic crisis
- Any evidence of ocular myasthenia
If there is evidence of ocular myasthenia, also address
- The presence or absence of eye exam findings
- Any current finding of eye motility abnormality, symptoms of double vision
- Or any clinically significant ptosis
Show the FAA's words: The neurological evaluation
1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
2. It must specifically include: Medications prescribed for this condition including start and stop dates, dosages, and side effects (if any). • How long has the condition been stable; • Any periods of weakness, motor fluctuations, or fatigability; • Any history of myasthenic crisis; and • Any evidence of ocular myasthenia. If yes, also address: o Presence or absence of eye exam findings: o Any current finding of eye motility abnormality, symptoms of double vision; or o Any clinically significant ptosis.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: Labs, CT chest and other testing
Studies already performed, and the CT chest screening for thymoma.Lab studies already performed
If already performed.
If already performed.
Lab studies already performed.
CT chest
A CT chest, performed at any time as a screening for thymoma. The report is submitted.
Other testing already performed
If already performed.
If already performed.
Other testing already performed, such as an electromyogram (EMG) or nerve conduction studies.
Show the FAA's words: Labs, CT chest and other testing
3. Lab studies already performed.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
4. CT Chest (performed at any time as a screening for Thymoma). Submit the report.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
6. Other testing already performed such as an Electromyogram (EMG) or nerve conduction studies.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 4: Previous imaging
Imaging performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.Previous imaging, for example CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or catheter angiography of the head, performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
For all imaging
- BOTH the report and a copy of the images on compact disc (CD) in DICOM readable format
- A 'DICOMDIR' in the root directory of the CD-ROM
- The CD verified to display the images before sending
- The table suggests keeping copies of all CDs or images, as a safeguard if lost in the mail
Show the FAA's words: Previous imaging
5. Previous Imaging (e.g., CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or catheter angiography of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.*
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
*For all imaging, submit BOTH the report and a copy of the images on compact disc (CD) in DICOM readable format. (There MUST be a 'DICOMDIR' in the root directory of the CD-ROM). Please verify the CD will display the images before sending. You may wish to retain copies of all CDs or images as a safeguard if lost in the mail.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 5: If associated with a seizure
Row A's note, for a seizure.Row A's note says that if associated with a seizure, see that page.
Show the FAA's words: If associated with a seizure
Note: If associated with a seizure see that page. An additional recovery period may apply.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 6: See your AME
After the 1-year recovery, 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, see that page, and that an additional recovery period may apply.Exam day- After the 1-year recovery, 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, see that page, and that an additional recovery period may apply.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Requires one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis. After 1-year recovery, submit the following for FAA review:
DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
Note: If associated with a seizure see that page. An additional recovery period may apply.
FAA source: Myasthenia Gravis. 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 ADefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
After the 1-year recovery, 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, see that page, and that an additional recovery period may apply.
If the examiner defersRow BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table asks for all items listed in Row A above, and says that if ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist may be required. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Special Issuance
Generalized myasthenia gravis. The row requires a one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis. After the 1-year recovery, 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, see that page, and that an additional recovery period may apply.
A. Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Requires one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis. After 1-year recovery, submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. … Note: If associated with a seizure see that page. An additional recovery period may apply.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Ocular myasthenia gravis. The table asks for all items listed in Row A above, and says that if ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist may be required. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Submit the following for FAA review: 1. All items listed in Row A above. 2. If ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist may be required. DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row A, generalized myasthenia gravis, DEFER.
The table marks Row B, ocular myasthenia gravis, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets 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 what the table lists. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
- Item 3. Lab studies already performed.
- Item 4. The report of a CT chest performed at any time as a screening for thymoma.
- Item 5. Previous imaging (for example CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or catheter angiography of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred, with the report and the images on CD.
- Item 6. Other testing already performed, such as an electromyogram (EMG) or nerve conduction studies.
- Item 7. For Row B, if ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist, which the table says may be required.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, generalized myasthenia gravis, DEFER.
A. Generalized Myasthenia Gravis … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Reason 2
The table marks Row B, ocular myasthenia gravis, DEFER.
B. Ocular Myasthenia Gravis … 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 that meets 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 that meets 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 what the table lists. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
2. It must specifically include: Medications prescribed for this condition including start and stop dates, dosages, and side effects (if any).
- Item 3
Lab studies already performed.
3. Lab studies already performed.
- Item 4
The report of a CT chest performed at any time as a screening for thymoma.
4. CT Chest (performed at any time as a screening for Thymoma). Submit the report.
- Item 5
Previous imaging (for example CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or catheter angiography of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred, with the report and the images on CD.
5. Previous Imaging (e.g., CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or catheter angiography of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.* … *For all imaging, submit BOTH the report and a copy of the images on compact disc (CD) in DICOM readable format.
- Item 6
Other testing already performed, such as an electromyogram (EMG) or nerve conduction studies.
6. Other testing already performed such as an Electromyogram (EMG) or nerve conduction studies.
- Item 7
For Row B, if ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist, which the table says may be required.
2. If ocular status is not addressed, an evaluation from an ophthalmologist may be required.
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 B, and Row A's recovery period and note
Row A requires a one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis, and Row A's note says that if associated with a seizure, see that page, and that an additional recovery period may apply. Row B asks for all items listed in Row A above and names no recovery period of its own. The table does not say whether Row A's recovery period or its note is among the items, and this page shows both as printed.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
A. Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Requires one (1)-year recovery period after diagnosis. … Note: If associated with a seizure see that page. An additional recovery period may apply. … B. Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Submit the following for FAA review: 1. All items listed in Row A above.
A CT chest from any time
The table asks for a CT chest performed at any time as a screening for thymoma, and says to submit the report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
4. CT Chest (performed at any time as a screening for Thymoma). Submit the report.
Evidence of ocular myasthenia
Where there is any evidence of ocular myasthenia, the table's second item says to also address the presence or absence of eye exam findings; any current finding of eye motility abnormality, symptoms of double vision; or any clinically significant ptosis.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
• Any evidence of ocular myasthenia. If yes, also address: o Presence or absence of eye exam findings: o Any current finding of eye motility abnormality, symptoms of double vision; or o Any clinically significant ptosis.
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.