A pilot’s last medical certificate expired, and they want to start operating under BasicMed. What must they do?

• A. Take an FAA-approved online medical education course and have a comprehensive medical exam checklist signed off by a physician
• B. Apply for a standard FAA medical certificate
• C. Obtain a restricted medical certificate from a physician
• D. Complete a two-hour flight refresher course

Answer: (A)

Under BasicMed you can fly without a traditional FAA medical certificate if you complete two steps: first, finish an FAA-approved online medical education course, and second, have an in-person physical examination by a physician who signs a Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (the BasicMed medical exam checklist). The course educates you on BasicMed rules and medical conditions, and the physician’s signed checklist documents that you meet the health requirements and can operate under BasicMed. These steps must be done in sequence and kept with your records; they replace a standard medical certificate for eligible flights. The other options aren’t part of BasicMed: applying for a standard medical certificate isn’t required to use BasicMed, there’s no separate “restricted” medical certificate under BasicMed, and a two-hour flight refresher course isn’t what grants BasicMed eligibility.