Unexplained loss of consciousness (ULOC)
What the FAA's documents say about unexplained loss of consciousness (ULOC), in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC) (Unexplained Disturbance of Consciousness or Transient LOC Without Satisfactory Medical Explanation)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (ULOC) (Unexplained Disturbance of Consciousness OR Transient LOC Without Satisfactory Medical Explanation) All Classes
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 AUnexplained loss of consciousness, current or historical | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
| Row BUnexplained disturbance of consciousness or transient loss of control | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Unexplained loss of consciousness (ULOC)
- Row A · Special Issuance
ULOC, unexplained loss of consciousness, current or historical. After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to obtain and submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. ULOC Unexplained Loss of Consciousness current or historical After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, obtain and submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Row B · Special Issuance
A disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause, or a transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause. The row's evaluation data says see Row A, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause OR Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause See Row A. DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- A note on the table, 1
The table ends with a note quoting the neurologic standards for an airman medical certificate in § 67.109, 67.209, 67.309: no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following: epilepsy; a disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause; or a transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
§ 67.109, 67.209, 67.309 Neurologic - Neurologic standards for an airman medical certificate are: (a) No established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following: (1) Epilepsy; (2) A disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause; or (3) A transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause.
The FAA pathways for unexplained loss of consciousness (ULOC)
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: The neurological evaluation
After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, from your treating neurologist.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.
It must specifically include
- A description of the event(s), and a summary of all testing or evaluation(s) performed to identify the cause
- If there has been any recurrence, and the length of time without symptoms
- If no cause was identified, that should be stated
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: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
2. The neurologic evaluation must specifically include: • A description of the event(s) and a summary of all testing or evaluation(s) performed to identify the cause; • If there has been any recurrence and the length of time without symptoms; and • If no cause was identified, that should be stated.
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, obtain and submit the following for FAA review:
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Testing and records
Copies of testing already performed, and records from this episode.Testing already performed
Copies of any testing already performed, for example lab, imaging, EEG, or other testing.
Hospital or clinic records
Hospital or clinic records from this episode and follow-up.
This may include
- History and physical (H&P)
- Operative notes
- Hospital discharge summary, if applicable
Show the FAA's words: Testing and records
3. Copies of any testing already performed such as lab, imaging, EEG, or other testing.
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
4. Hospital or clinic records from this episode and follow-up. This may include History and Physical (H&P), operative notes, and hospital discharge summary (if applicable).
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: If no neurological explanation is found
Additional evaluations, case by case.If no neurological explanation is found, and already performed.
If no neurological explanation is found, and already performed.
If no neurological explanation is found, additional evaluations may be required on a case-by-case basis. If they have already been performed, the table says they should be submitted to the FAA.
For example
- A cardiovascular evaluation from a cardiologist
- An exercise stress test
- A Holter monitor
- A TTE, transthoracic echocardiogram
Show the FAA's words: If no neurological explanation is found
If no neurological explanation is found, additional evaluations may be required on a case-by-case basis such as: • Cardiovascular evaluation from a cardiologist; • Exercise stress test; • Holter monitor; and/or
• TTE Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) • If the above items have already been performed, they should be submitted to the FAA. If not yet performed, the applicant may want to wait until FAA review of their case before undergoing additional testing.
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Note: Upon review of the above items, additional information or testing may be required.
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
If a cause is identified - see that section.
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 4: See your AME
After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to obtain and submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.Exam day- After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to obtain and submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. ULOC Unexplained Loss of Consciousness current or historical After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, obtain and submit the following for FAA review:
DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
FAA source: Unexplained Loss of Consciousness (ULOC). 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 a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to obtain and submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersRow BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The row's evaluation data says see Row A, and 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
ULOC, unexplained loss of consciousness, current or historical. After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to obtain and submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. ULOC Unexplained Loss of Consciousness current or historical After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, obtain and submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Row B · Special Issuance
A disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause, or a transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause. The row's evaluation data says see Row A, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause OR Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause See Row A. DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row A, unexplained loss of consciousness, current or historical, DEFER.
The table marks Row B, a disturbance of consciousness or a transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause, 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, specifically including what the table lists.
- Item 2. Copies of any testing already performed, such as lab, imaging, EEG, or other testing.
- Item 3. Hospital or clinic records from this episode and follow-up.
- Item 4. If no neurological explanation is found, any of the additional evaluations the table lists that have already been performed.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, unexplained loss of consciousness, current or historical, DEFER.
A. ULOC Unexplained Loss of Consciousness current or historical … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Reason 2
The table marks Row B, a disturbance of consciousness or a transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause, DEFER.
B. Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause OR Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause See Row A. 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, specifically including what the table lists.
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. 2. The neurologic evaluation must specifically include:
- Item 2
Copies of any testing already performed, such as lab, imaging, EEG, or other testing.
3. Copies of any testing already performed such as lab, imaging, EEG, or other testing.
- Item 3
Hospital or clinic records from this episode and follow-up.
4. Hospital or clinic records from this episode and follow-up.
- Item 4
If no neurological explanation is found, any of the additional evaluations the table lists that have already been performed.
If no neurological explanation is found, additional evaluations may be required on a case-by-case basis such as: … • If the above items have already been performed, they should be submitted to the FAA.
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.
A 2-year, symptom-free recovery period comes first
For Row A the table says to obtain and submit its list after a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
After a 2-year, symptom-free recovery period, obtain and submit the following for FAA review:
If no cause was identified, the evaluation says so
The table says the neurologic evaluation must specifically include, if no cause was identified, that this should be stated, along with any recurrence and the length of time without symptoms.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
• If there has been any recurrence and the length of time without symptoms; and • If no cause was identified, that should be stated.
Additional evaluations not yet performed
For the additional evaluations, the table says that if they have already been performed, they should be submitted to the FAA, and if not yet performed, the applicant may want to wait until FAA review of their case before undergoing additional testing.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
• If the above items have already been performed, they should be submitted to the FAA. If not yet performed, the applicant may want to wait until FAA review of their case before undergoing additional testing.
Row B points to Row A
Row B's evaluation data reads "See Row A.", and the row is marked DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
See Row A. DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If a cause is identified
The table says that if a cause is identified, see that section. It does not name the section.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 5
If a cause is identified - see that section.
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.