Skin conditions
What the FAA's documents say about skin conditions, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Cutaneous
Collagen disease (lupus and others)
The Guide's Item 43 Collagen Disease table also has a row naming dermatomyositis and lupus erythematosus, with evaluation data of its own.
Short version
The Cutaneous table has four rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus and the others listedDermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and others listed | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Kaposi's sarcomaKaposi's sarcoma | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Isotretinoin, any history of psychiatric side-effectUse of isotretinoin, with any history of psychiatric side-effect | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Isotretinoin, no unacceptable side-effectsUse of isotretinoin, with no aeromedically unacceptable side-effects | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Skin conditions
- Dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus and the others listed · FAA review
Dermatomyositis, deep mycotic infections, eruptive xanthomas, Hansen's disease, lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma, for all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Dermatomyositis; Deep Mycotic Infections; Eruptive Xanthomas; Hansen's Disease; Lupus Erythematosus; or Scleroderma … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report … Requires FAA Decision
- Kaposi's sarcoma · FAA review
Kaposi's sarcoma, for all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and it says see the HIV Protocol. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Kaposi's Sarcoma … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report. See HIV Protocol … Requires FAA Decision
- Isotretinoin, any history of psychiatric side-effect · FAA review
The use of isotretinoin (Accutane), with any history of psychiatric side-effect. The table says any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) … All … Any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
- Isotretinoin, no unacceptable side-effects · Examiner can issue
The use of isotretinoin (Accutane), with no vision, psychiatric, or other aeromedically unacceptable side-effects. The table says Issue with restriction NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING. To remove the restriction, it points to the note after the table.
Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) … All … If there are no vision, psychiatric, or other aeromedically unacceptable side-effects - Issue with restriction: NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING. … To remove restriction: … *See Note
- A note on the table, 1
For Raynaud's syndrome (primary Raynaud's or Raynaud's disease, or secondary Raynaud's or Raynaud's phenomenon), both of the row's other columns say see the Vascular Section.
Raynaud’s Syndrome … (Primary Raynaud’s/ Raynaud’s Disease or Secondary Raynaud’s/Raynaud’s Phenomenon) … All … See Vascular Section … See Vascular Section
The FAA pathways for skin conditions
- How this pathway works: Examiner can issueNo special pathwayIsotretinoin, no unacceptable side-effects
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus and the others listed
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
For the first row and for Kaposi's sarcoma.All pertinent medical information
All pertinent medical information.
Current status report
A current status report.
Show the FAA's words: Medical information and the status report
Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
FAA source: Cutaneous. FAA date 24 September 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Raynaud's syndrome
The row points to the Vascular Section.For Raynaud's syndrome, both of the row's other columns say see the Vascular Section.
Show the FAA's words: Raynaud's syndrome
Raynaud’s Syndrome
(Primary Raynaud’s/ Raynaud’s Disease or Secondary Raynaud’s/Raynaud’s Phenomenon)
All
See Vascular Section
See Vascular Section
FAA source: Cutaneous. FAA date 24 September 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: See your AME
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.Exam day- The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
Dermatomyositis; Deep Mycotic Infections; Eruptive Xanthomas; Hansen's Disease; Lupus Erythematosus; or Scleroderma
All
Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
Requires FAA Decision
FAA source: Cutaneous. FAA date 24 September 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus and the others listedDefers to the FAAFAA review
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersKaposi's sarcomaDefers to the FAAFAA review
The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and it says see the HIV Protocol. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersIsotretinoin, any history of psychiatric side-effectDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table says any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersIsotretinoin, no unacceptable side-effectsExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
The table says Issue with restriction NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING. To remove the restriction, it points to the note after the table.
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus and the others listed · FAA review
Dermatomyositis, deep mycotic infections, eruptive xanthomas, Hansen's disease, lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma, for all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Dermatomyositis; Deep Mycotic Infections; Eruptive Xanthomas; Hansen's Disease; Lupus Erythematosus; or Scleroderma … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report … Requires FAA Decision
- Kaposi's sarcoma · FAA review
Kaposi's sarcoma, for all classes. The evaluation data is all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and it says see the HIV Protocol. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Kaposi's Sarcoma … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report. See HIV Protocol … Requires FAA Decision
- Isotretinoin, any history of psychiatric side-effect · FAA review
The use of isotretinoin (Accutane), with any history of psychiatric side-effect. The table says any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) … All … Any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
- Isotretinoin, no unacceptable side-effects · Examiner can issue
The use of isotretinoin (Accutane), with no vision, psychiatric, or other aeromedically unacceptable side-effects. The table says Issue with restriction NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING. To remove the restriction, it points to the note after the table.
Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) … All … If there are no vision, psychiatric, or other aeromedically unacceptable side-effects - Issue with restriction: NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING. … To remove restriction: … *See Note
If the examiner defersFAA review
The table marks the first row, dermatomyositis, deep mycotic infections, eruptive xanthomas, Hansen's disease, lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma, Requires FAA Decision.
The table marks Kaposi's sarcoma Requires FAA Decision.
For the use of isotretinoin, the table says any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks the first row, dermatomyositis, deep mycotic infections, eruptive xanthomas, Hansen's disease, lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma, Requires FAA Decision.
Dermatomyositis; Deep Mycotic Infections; Eruptive Xanthomas; Hansen's Disease; Lupus Erythematosus; or Scleroderma … Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 2
The table marks Kaposi's sarcoma Requires FAA Decision.
Kaposi's Sarcoma … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report. See HIV Protocol … Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 3
For the use of isotretinoin, the table says any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) … Any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision.
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.
The isotretinoin row names two outcomes
The disposition names any history of psychiatric side-effect, which requires FAA Decision, and no vision, psychiatric, or other aeromedically unacceptable side-effects, which is Issue with restriction NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING. It does not say what follows a vision or other side-effect without a psychiatric one, and this page does not fill that in.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Any history of psychiatric side-effect requires FAA Decision. If there are no vision, psychiatric, or other aeromedically unacceptable side-effects - Issue with restriction: NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING.
Two different 2 weeks
The evaluation data's mandatory 2-week waiting period is after starting isotretinoin, prior to consideration. The note's 2 weeks, to remove the restriction, is use permanently discontinued for at least 2 weeks prior to the consideration date.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
there is a mandatory 2-week waiting period after starting isotretinoin prior to consideration. … Use of isotretinoin must be permanently discontinued for at least 2 weeks prior to consideration date (confirmed by the prescribing physician)
Side-effects can occur after stopping
The table says these side-effects can occur even after cessation of isotretinoin.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
These side-effects can occur even after cessation of isotretinoin.
Kaposi's sarcoma points to the HIV Protocol
For Kaposi's sarcoma the evaluation data says see the HIV Protocol, besides all pertinent medical information and a current status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 5
Kaposi's Sarcoma … All … Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report. See HIV Protocol
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.