Which authority issues the medical certificates for pilots?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for issuing medical certificates for pilots in the United States. This process ensures that pilots meet the necessary health and safety standards to operate an aircraft. The FAA has established specific medical requirements that pilots must satisfy to obtain a medical certificate, which is a crucial step in becoming a licensed pilot.

The FAA's role in certifying pilots medically is integral to maintaining aviation safety; it directly evaluates a pilot's physical and mental health to prevent any condition that might impair their ability to operate an aircraft safely. In contrast, other organizations such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have different responsibilities and do not oversee the medical certification process for pilots. The NTSB focuses on investigating transportation accidents, ICAO sets international aviation standards, and the DOT encompasses a broader scope of transportation regulation but does not directly issue pilot medical certificates.