FAA certification terms in plain words
The FAA's terms and abbreviations, each said plainly, with the FAA's own wording one press away.
- From 12 FAA documents
- Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026
- Not affiliated with the FAA
Key terms
The FAA's own wording is one press away under each.
- AME
Aviation Medical Examiner. The FAA's pilot page says the AME issues the medical certificate when required documentation is present and has been positively reviewed by the AME, and everything in the examination meets the FAA's medical standards.
FAA source: AME
Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) … If required documentation is present, has been positively reviewed by the AME, and everything in the examination meets the FAA medical standards set forth in 14 C.F.R. part 67, the AME will issue you a medical certificate.
- AMCD
The FAA's Aerospace Medicine Certification Division.
FAA source: AMCD
Contact your Regional Flight Surgeon's (RFS) office or the Aerospace Medicine Certification Division (AMCD) regarding any questions or concerns.
- RFS
A Regional Flight Surgeon, and that surgeon's office.
FAA source: RFS
Contact your Regional Flight Surgeon's (RFS) office or the Aerospace Medicine Certification Division (AMCD) regarding any questions or concerns.
- Federal Air Surgeon
The Guide says the Federal Air Surgeon's authority over a Special Issuance is also exercised by the Manager of the AMCD and by each RFS.
FAA source: Federal Air Surgeon
The authority of the Federal Air Surgeon under the special issuance section of part 67 (14 CFR 67.401) is also exercised by the Manager, AMCD, and each RFS.
- Deferred, deferral
The examiner sends the exam to the FAA for review or further investigation.
FAA source: Deferred, deferral
the AME must defer the examination to the FAA for review and/or further investigation.
- Initial determination
What the AMCD or an RFS makes after the examiner defers a first-time AASI application and sends the documentation.
FAA source: Initial determination
the Examiner must defer and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or RFS for the initial determination.
- Reissue, reissuance
The examiner issuing a certificate again, after the AMCD or an RFS has granted an Authorization.
FAA source: Reissue, reissuance
Following the granting of an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) by the AMCD or RFS, an Examiner may reissue a medical certificate to an applicant with a medical history of an initially disqualifying condition once the AASI's specialized criteria is met
- Block 60
Where the CACI page has the examiner document the appropriate notes.
FAA source: Block 60
Document the appropriate notes in Block 60 and keep the supporting documents in your files
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.
Where Crosscheck's FAA information comes fromOfficial FAA references