Category 3 Medical Certificate — Complete Guide

Who Needs a Category 3 Medical?

A Category 3 (Cat 3) medical certificate is required for:

• Private Pilot Licence (PPL) holders exercising their licence privileges
• Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP) holders — note: RPP holders may use a valid driver’s medical declaration in some cases; verify with Transport Canada
• Student pilots in training toward a PPL
• Ultralight pilots in certain categories (verify with Transport Canada)
• Pilots exercising privileges under a foreign licence validated in Canada (may require Cat 3)

If you are flying for fun, not for hire or reward, a Cat 3 is almost certainly what you need. It is the most commonly held pilot medical in Canada.

Category 4 / Pilot Medical Declaration: For recreational pilots flying specific low-performance aircraft under limited conditions (e.g., single reciprocating engine ≤ 150hp, day VFR only). No CAME examination required — self-declaration only. This is separate from the CAME examination process and does not appear in our directory. Verify eligibility at Transport Canada before booking a CAME examination.

Student pilots: A Cat 3 medical (or Category 4 self-declaration where eligible) is required before your first solo flight — not before starting ground school. You can complete ground school and written exams without a medical. Book your medical well before you expect to solo so there is time for any follow-up if needed.

Reference: CARs 401.05, 404.06

What Does a Cat 3 Medical Involve?

The Cat 3 examination is less intensive than Cat 1 but still covers all major body systems. Your CAME will assess:

Vision

• Distant visual acuity: 6/12 or better in each eye separately (corrected or uncorrected), and 6/9 or better with both eyes together
• Near visual acuity: N5 or better at 30-50 cm with both eyes
• Colour vision: safe colour perception required (less stringent than Cat 1 in some cases, but colour blindness can affect certain operations)
• Normal visual fields
• Corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) are permitted — you must carry a spare pair of glasses while flying if you require them

Vision standards for Cat 3 are less restrictive than Cat 1, making it accessible to more pilots.

Hearing

• Able to hear a conversational voice in a quiet room at 2 metres, with back turned, in each ear separately
• Hearing aids are permitted in some cases with specialist assessment

Cardiovascular

• Blood pressure must not exceed 160/100 mmHg
• No ECG required for Cat 3 — this is one of the key differences from Cat 1 and Cat 2
• History of cardiac conditions is assessed on a case-by-case basis
• Controlled hypertension with medication is often compatible with Cat 3

Respiratory

• No active tuberculosis
• Significant respiratory conditions assessed on their effect on safe piloting

Neurological

• No epilepsy or history of epileptic seizure (with limited exceptions for remote childhood febrile seizures)
• No significant disturbance of consciousness
• Single syncopal (fainting) episodes are assessed individually

Psychiatric / Mental Health

• No established diagnosis of psychosis
• Substance dependence is disqualifying
• Mental health conditions including depression and anxiety are assessed individually — many pilots with treated conditions hold Cat 3 certificates
• Disclosure is required and non-disclosure is a serious offence

Metabolic / Endocrine

• Diabetes managed by diet alone or oral medication may be compatible with Cat 3 (case-by-case)
• Insulin-dependent diabetes requires detailed endocrinology assessment and Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine approval; some pilots hold Cat 3 certificates under strict monitoring protocols per current TC policy. Contact TCAM directly to discuss eligibility.
• Thyroid conditions assessed on stability

General

• BMI is noted but not automatically disqualifying
• Any condition that could cause sudden incapacitation in flight is carefully assessed

Reference: CARs 404.06; TP 13312

No ECG Required

Unlike Cat 1 and Cat 2, the Cat 3 medical does not require an ECG. This makes the examination simpler, faster, and generally less expensive. If you are only seeking a Cat 3, you do not need to arrange an ECG beforehand or pay an ECG fee.

How Much Does a Cat 3 Medical Cost?

Cat 3 is the most affordable pilot medical. Pricing varies by province and clinic.

Typical ranges (2025-2026):
– Examination fee: $100 — $250

Our directory shows human-verified pricing for CAMEs across Canada. Most CAMEs listed in our directory perform Cat 3 examinations. Search for a CAME near you to see current pricing.

How Long Is a Cat 3 Medical Valid?

Cat 3 has the most generous validity periods of any pilot medical. A private pilot under 40 only needs to renew every five years.

Reference: CARs 404.06(2)

Can You Fly With Glasses or Contact Lenses?

Yes. Most pilots who wear corrective lenses fly without issues on a Cat 3. Requirements:

• Your vision must meet the standards with correction
• You must carry a spare pair of glasses in the aircraft at all times if you require glasses to meet the standard
• Contact lenses are permitted; inform your CAME if you wear them

Common Medications and Cat 3

Many everyday medications are compatible with a Cat 3 medical. Common categories:

• Blood pressure medication — generally compatible if BP is controlled within standards
• Cholesterol medication (statins) — generally compatible
• Antidepressants — many are compatible; disclose to your CAME
• Antihistamines — some are acceptable, some are not; discuss with your CAME
• Sleeping aids — generally not compatible while flying; disclose use
• Diabetes medication (oral) — assessed individually

Always bring a complete list of all medications — prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements — to your examination. Never fly while taking a medication you haven’t confirmed with your CAME is compatible with flight.

First Medical? What to Expect

If this is your first pilot medical:

1. Find a CAME — use our directory to find one near you. Not all family doctors are CAMEs — they must be specifically designated by Transport Canada.
2. Book in advance — some CAMEs have waiting lists of several weeks.
3. Bring ID — government-issued photo ID required.
4. Bring medical history — any significant past illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, or ongoing conditions.
5. Bring your medications list — all prescription and non-prescription medications.
6. Bring your glasses if you wear them.
7. Be honest — the Aeronautics Act requires full disclosure. Non-disclosure is a serious offence and can result in licence suspension or criminal charges.

The examination takes approximately 30-60 minutes for a straightforward Cat 3. Your CAME will submit the results to Transport Canada; your medical certificate will be issued by Transport Canada (not the CAME directly).

What Happens After the Examination?

Your CAME submits the examination report to Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine (TCAM). Transport Canada then:

• Issues a medical certificate if you meet the standards
• Requests additional information if clarification is needed
• Issues a Notice of Assessment if there are concerns

Processing time varies. In straightforward cases, your certificate can arrive within a few weeks. Keep flying with your provisional certificate (if issued) until the formal certificate arrives.

Upgrading from Cat 3 to Cat 1

If you later pursue a CPL or ATPL, you will need to upgrade to a Cat 1 medical. The main additions are:

• More stringent vision standards
• ECG requirement
• More detailed cardiovascular assessment
• Shorter validity periods

Book a Cat 1 examination well before you need it in case additional testing is required.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine (TCAM)
– Phone: 1-800-305-2059
– Email: tc.aviationmedicine-medecineaeronautique.tc@tc.gc.ca
– Web: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-crew-members/medical-fitness