Guide · Before you start
Pilot medical and English requirements.
Two things can stop a pilot career before the first lesson: the medical and the English. Both are quick to check early and expensive to discover late. Here is what each authority asks for, and what to do before you pay a school.
Last checked November 202610 min read
- Class 1 The medical for a professional license
- ICAO Level 4 The minimum English for a license
- 12 months How long a Class 1 lasts under 40
- Before you pay When to check both
01 The pilot medical and English
Check these first
- Your medical
- Your English test for school and visa
- Then choose your school and pay
The FAA suggests getting your medical before you start flight training, so you learn early whether a health condition would stop you. CASA in Australia advises talking through your medical history with an aviation medical examiner and your school before you start, especially if you want to fly professionally. The same logic applies to English: know which test your school and your visa accept before you book one.
02 The pilot medical and English
The pilot medical
Which medical do you need?
- EASA (Europe): a Class 1 medical for a commercial or airline license.
- FAA (USA): a second-class medical for commercial pilot privileges, and a first-class medical to act as captain under an airline transport certificate. If you aim for an airline career, check the first-class standard from the start.
- CASA (Australia): a Class 1 medical for a commercial or airline license.
- CAA NZ (New Zealand): a Class 1 medical for a commercial or airline license.
What is checked.
The examiner goes through your medical history with you and checks your eyesight (including color vision), hearing, heart and urine. Some checks depend on the system and your age. Under EASA, the first Class 1 also includes an ECG, blood tests, a lung function test and a mental health assessment with drug and alcohol screening.
How long it lasts.
12 months
Under 40, a Class 1 medical (or the FAA's first or second class for commercial flying) is valid for 12 months in all four systems. It gets shorter with age for some types of flying.
Glasses and contact lenses.
Generally fine, if they give you the required vision. Pilots must carry a spare pair of glasses. EASA sets extra rules for contact lenses: single-focus, untinted, and no lenses that reshape the eye overnight.
Tell the examiner everything.
Declare every past and current condition. In New Zealand, not doing so is an offense. Hiding something can cost you the certificate later.
We are not doctors. Only an aviation medical examiner can decide whether you meet the medical standard.
03 The pilot medical and English
Where to do the medical
Ideally you do it at home or in a neighboring country. For the FAA, CASA and CAA NZ, a first Class 1 is possible in several Asian countries, and all three also have examiners in the United Arab Emirates. For EASA, a first Class 1 is not possible anywhere in Asia or the Middle East today. Check with the examiner that they can do a first Class 1 for the authority you will train under.
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EASA
An aero-medical center (AeMC) certified for Class 1
The first Class 1 must be done at an aero-medical center (AeMC) certified for Class 1. In Asia and the Middle East, a first EASA Class 1 is not available today. Outside the EASA countries, EASA lists only four centers that can do it: three in the UK and one in Casablanca, Morocco. Bangkok Hospital can do a first Class 2 only. Class 1 renewals are possible in several Asian countries and in Amman, Jordan.
EASA medical information -
FAA
An FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
Done by an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Many have offices outside the USA. The FAA's examiner search lists AMEs who can do first-class exams in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, Karachi, Islamabad, Manila and Tokyo, among others. Some examiners outside the USA only see certain groups of pilots, so ask before you book. Complete the online MedXPress form first; the exam must follow within 60 days.
FAA examiner search -
CASA
A Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME)
Done by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME); eye checks by a designated eye specialist or credentialed optometrist. CASA's list also includes examiners outside Australia, for example in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tokyo, Manila, Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
CASA examiner search -
CAA NZ
A CAA-approved medical examiner
Done by a CAA-approved medical examiner. Register with CAA NZ and pay its application fee before the exam. CAA NZ lists examiners outside New Zealand, including in Dubai, Hong Kong, India and Singapore.
CAA NZ examiners abroad
04 The pilot medical and English
Color vision
Not passing the first test is not automatically the end. Every system has further tests, but the rules and the outcomes differ a lot. If color vision is a question for you, have it assessed before you choose the country you train in.
- Step 1 Plates test. The first check uses colored dot plates (Ishihara).
- Step 2 Further tests. Lantern tests, an anomaloscope or computer tests such as the CAD test, depending on the system.
- Step 3 Operational assessment. In Australia and New Zealand, a practical test in flight or on the ground can lift restrictions.
| System | Further tests | Possible outcome |
|---|---|---|
| EASA | Anomaloscope, lantern tests, CAD test | You must be shown to be color safe; otherwise you are unfit for Class 1. |
| FAA | Since January 2025, a one-time computer-based test; three tests are accepted, among them the CAD test | If you fail all of them, you get only a third-class certificate limited to daytime VFR flying. For a first- or second-class certificate you must appeal to the FAA's Federal Air Surgeon. |
| CASA | Farnsworth lantern, CAD test, then an operational assessment | A restricted certificate is possible (for example not at night, limits on passenger flights); passing the operational assessment can remove restrictions. |
| CAA NZ | Lantern tests, CAD test, Farnsworth D15, then an operational assessment | A restricted certificate is possible (for example no passenger flights, no night flying); passing the operational assessment can lift restrictions. |
Our free practice screening includes a color vision check. It is not a medical test. Only an aviation medical examiner can assess your color vision. Try the practice screening
05 The pilot medical and English
English for your license: ICAO levels
Every license needs aviation English at ICAO Level 4 or higher. It is a speaking and listening check about flying, not a school exam.
- Level 6 Expert: no re-test needed.
- Level 5 Extended: ICAO advises a re-test every 6 years.
- Level 4 Operational: the minimum for a license; ICAO advises a re-test every 3 years (EASA: every 4).
- Levels 1 to 3 below the license standard.
Examiners rate six areas: pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interaction. Your level is your lowest score of the six. In Australia the assessment takes about 20 to 30 minutes; in New Zealand it is done by telephone. Each authority sets its own re-test interval: in Canada, for example, Levels 4 and 5 are both re-tested every 3 years, and the FAA has no fixed re-test but checks your English at every test and flight review. Your country guide has the rule where you train.
Practice tools, not an official assessment.
06 The pilot medical and English
English for your school and visa
This is a different test from ICAO English: it shows a school and the immigration authority that you can follow a course in English. Ask your school which test it accepts before you book one.
| Where you train | Who sets it | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | The student visa | Tests at a secure test center: IELTS, TOEFL iBT (register under "Taking TOEFL for Australia"), PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET, LANGUAGECERT Academic, Michigan English Test or CELPIP General. Online at-home tests are not accepted. Duolingo is not on the list. |
| New Zealand | Your school | For a diploma, NZQA sets the minimum English for international students, for example IELTS Academic 5.5 with no band below 5 for Level 5. Your school can ask for more and confirms your English when it offers you a place. The visa itself requires no test. |
| USA | Your school | The school sets any English requirement before it issues your Form I-20. |
| Spain, Slovenia, Romania | Your school | The visa checklists we found ask for no English test; Romania asks for proof that you know the language of your course. Your school tells you what it accepts. |
Each country guide lists the English score our partner schools ask for.
07 7 questions
Questions about the medical and English
Do I need the medical before I start training?
Do I need the medical before I start training?
In the USA and Australia you need it before your first solo flight at the latest. Get it before you pay for training: the FAA and CASA both advise checking early, so you know whether a health condition would stop you.
Which medical do I need to become an airline pilot?
Which medical do I need to become an airline pilot?
A Class 1 medical under EASA, CASA or CAA NZ. Under the FAA, a second-class medical covers commercial flying and a first-class medical is needed to act as an airline captain.
Can I become a pilot if I am color blind?
Can I become a pilot if I am color blind?
It depends on the type of color deficiency and on the authority. Every system has further tests after the first plates test, and in Australia and New Zealand a practical assessment can lift restrictions. Have it assessed by an aviation medical examiner before you choose where to train.
Can I wear glasses as a pilot?
Can I wear glasses as a pilot?
Usually yes, if they give you the required vision. You must carry a spare pair.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for a student visa?
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for a student visa?
Not for an Australian student visa, and not for a diploma in New Zealand: Duolingo is not on NZQA's list of accepted tests. In the USA and Europe your school decides, so ask before you book a test.
What is ICAO English Level 4?
What is ICAO English Level 4?
The minimum level of aviation English for a pilot license. ICAO advises a re-test every three years, and each authority sets its own interval: every four years under EASA, every three years in Canada.
Is IELTS the same as ICAO English?
Is IELTS the same as ICAO English?
No. IELTS and similar tests show a school and the visa office that you can study in English. ICAO English is a separate aviation speaking and listening check for your license.
Sources and last checked
- FAA, When do I need a medical certificate last checked 6 Nov 2026
- FAA, Getting a medical certificate last checked 6 Nov 2026
- FAA, 14 CFR 61.23 (medical classes and duration) last checked 6 Nov 2026
- FAA, Color vision FAQ last checked 6 Nov 2026
- EASA, Medical last checked 6 Nov 2026
- EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Part-MED) last checked 6 Nov 2026
- CASA, Pilot career guide last checked 6 Nov 2026
- CASA, Color vision deficiency last checked 6 Nov 2026
- CASA, Aviation English language proficiency last checked 6 Nov 2026
- CAA NZ, Obtaining your first medical certificate last checked 6 Nov 2026
- CAA NZ, Color vision last checked 6 Nov 2026
- CAA NZ, AC61-1 (English language) last checked 6 Nov 2026
- ICAO, Personnel licensing FAQ last checked 7 Nov 2026
- Transport Canada, AC 401-009 (language proficiency) last checked 7 Nov 2026
- FAA, AC 60-28B (English proficiency) last checked 6 Nov 2026
- Department of Home Affairs, English language visa requirements last checked 6 Nov 2026
- FAA, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, Item 52 Color Vision last checked 6 Nov 2026
- CASA, Aviation medical contacts last checked 6 Nov 2026
- Immigration New Zealand, Fee Paying Student Visa last checked 7 Nov 2026
- NZQA, English language entry requirements for international students last checked 7 Nov 2026
- Study in the States (SEVP), Form I-20 and English proficiency last checked 6 Nov 2026
- EU Immigration Portal, Student in Romania last checked 6 Nov 2026
- EASA, List of AeMCs under EASA oversight last checked 7 Nov 2026
- FAA, Designee Locator last checked 7 Nov 2026