POTS
What the FAA's documents say about POTS, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
POSTURAL TACHYCARDIA SYNDROME (POTS) All Classes
Short version
The disposition table has one row, any history of POTS.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAny history of POTS | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for POTS
- Row A · FAA review
Any history of POTS. The row's note says that in most cases a diagnosis of POTS is not acceptable for medical certification/clearance. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA.
A. Any history Note: In most cases, a diagnosis of POTS is not acceptable for medical certification/clearance. Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA.
The FAA pathways for POTS
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Row A
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The progress note
From your treating cardiologist or neurologist.Progress note
Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed progress note from a clinic visit with your treating cardiologist or neurologist, 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
Whether the diagnosis is confirmed, equivocal or not confirmed
Items your physician specifically addresses: whether the diagnosis of POTS is confirmed, equivocal, or not confirmed.
The diagnosis is
- Confirmed
- Equivocal
- Not confirmed
Show the FAA's words: The progress note
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating cardiologist or neurologist performed 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: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Disposition Table. FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
2. It must specifically include if the diagnosis of POTS is: • Confirmed; • Equivocal; or • Not confirmed
FAA source: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Disposition Table. FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
“IT MUST SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE” If this language is in your letter, it is to highlight SPECIFIC items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note). Make sure your physician addresses these specific items important for medical certification or clearance.
FAA source: Pilot Information – What a Detailed Clinical Progress Note must contain. FAA date 25 September 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Other records and testing
What is already on file for this or any similar condition.Copies of any other treatment records or testing already performed by any providers for this or any similar condition by the treating physician.
The table lists
- Doctor's office notes
- Consultant notes
- Results from any testing already performed for the condition
- Hospital records: history and physical (H&P), operative notes and discharge summary (if applicable)
Show the FAA's words: Other records and testing
3. Copies of any other treatment records or testing already performed by any providers for this or any similar condition by the treating physician. • Doctor's office notes; • Consultant notes; • Results from any testing already performed for the condition; and • Hospital records: History and Physical (H&P), operative notes, and discharge summary (if applicable).
FAA source: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Disposition Table. FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Note: To rescind the diagnosis of POTS, submit an evaluation performed by: • POTS center of excellence; • A neurologist specializing in autonomic nervous system disorders; OR • A researcher with extensive experience in POTS.
FAA source: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Disposition Table. FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
Row ADefers to the FAAFAA review
The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · FAA review
Any history of POTS. The row's note says that in most cases a diagnosis of POTS is not acceptable for medical certification/clearance. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA.
A. Any history Note: In most cases, a diagnosis of POTS is not acceptable for medical certification/clearance. Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA.
If the examiner defersFAA review
The table marks its one row, any history of POTS, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with the treating cardiologist or neurologist, performed no more than 90 days before the exam, with what the table says it should include.
- Item 2. Items the physician specifically addresses: whether the diagnosis of POTS is confirmed, equivocal, or not confirmed. The FAA's progress-note sheet says that when a letter uses the words "it must specifically include", they highlight specific items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note) for the physician to address.
- Item 3. Copies of any other treatment records or testing already performed by any providers for this or any similar condition by the treating physician, as the table lists them.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks its one row, any history of POTS, DEFER.
A. Any history … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with the treating cardiologist or neurologist, performed no more than 90 days before the exam, with what the table says it should include.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating cardiologist or neurologist performed no more than 90 days before the AME exam. It should include
- Item 2
Items the physician specifically addresses: whether the diagnosis of POTS is confirmed, equivocal, or not confirmed. The FAA's progress-note sheet says that when a letter uses the words "it must specifically include", they highlight specific items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note) for the physician to address.
2. It must specifically include if the diagnosis of POTS is: • Confirmed; • Equivocal; or • Not confirmed
“IT MUST SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE” If this language is in your letter, it is to highlight SPECIFIC items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note). Make sure your physician addresses these specific items important for medical certification or clearance.
- Item 3
Copies of any other treatment records or testing already performed by any providers for this or any similar condition by the treating physician, as the table lists them.
3. Copies of any other treatment records or testing already performed by any providers for this or any similar condition by the treating physician.
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.
Whether the diagnosis is confirmed
The table's second item: it must specifically include if the diagnosis of POTS is confirmed, equivocal, or not confirmed. The FAA's progress-note sheet says that when a letter uses the words "it must specifically include", they highlight specific items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note) for the physician to address.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
2. It must specifically include if the diagnosis of POTS is: • Confirmed; • Equivocal; or • Not confirmed
“IT MUST SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE” If this language is in your letter, it is to highlight SPECIFIC items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note). Make sure your physician addresses these specific items important for medical certification or clearance.
Who can evaluate to rescind the diagnosis
To rescind the diagnosis of POTS, the table's note says to submit an evaluation performed by a POTS center of excellence, a neurologist specializing in autonomic nervous system disorders, or a researcher with extensive experience in POTS.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
Note: To rescind the diagnosis of POTS, submit an evaluation performed by: • POTS center of excellence; • A neurologist specializing in autonomic nervous system disorders; OR • A researcher with extensive experience in POTS.
Records for any similar condition too
The table asks for copies of any other treatment records or testing already performed by any providers for this or any similar condition by the treating physician, not only for POTS.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
3. Copies of any other treatment records or testing already performed by any providers for this or any similar condition by the treating physician.
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.