What Is a CAME?
A Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) is a physician designated by Transport Canada to conduct aviation medical examinations for pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and other aviation personnel in Canada.
Not every doctor can perform an aviation medical. A CAME must:
- Hold a valid medical degree and be licensed to practice medicine in their province
- Be specifically designated by Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Medicine (TCAM) branch
- Complete training in aviation medicine
- Maintain their designation through ongoing requirements set by Transport Canada
Your family doctor, unless they are a designated CAME, cannot perform your aviation medical examination. You must see a Transport Canada-designated CAME.
Why Does Canada Use Designated CAMEs?
Transport Canada uses the CAME designation system to ensure consistent medical standards across the country. Aviation medicine has unique considerations — conditions that pose minimal risk in everyday life can be hazardous in the cockpit. CAMEs are trained to understand the specific demands of flight, the effects of altitude and hypoxia on various medical conditions, and the regulatory framework that governs pilot fitness.
The designation system also allows Transport Canada to maintain oversight of aviation medical standards nationally, with all CAME examination reports flowing to Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Medicine branch in Ottawa.
How to Find a CAME
Option 1 — Use Our Verified Directory (Recommended)
AVCentral’s CAME directory lists 373 designated CAMEs across Canada with verified information including:
- Current pricing for Cat 1, Cat 2, and Cat 3 examinations
- Whether ECG is available on-site and any additional ECG fee
- Whether they are currently accepting new patients
- Approximate appointment wait times
- Languages spoken
- Booking phone number or online booking URL
Our data is collected by human callers — not scraped from a registry. Search the directory →
Option 2 — Transport Canada’s Official Registry
Transport Canada maintains an official list of designated CAMEs on their website. The list is searchable by province and shows contact information, but does not include pricing, wait times, or current availability.
Transport Canada CAME Registry: tc.canada.ca/came
Note: TC’s list shows all designated CAMEs but lacks pricing, wait times, or current availability. Our directory adds human-verified details on top of the official registry.
What to Look For When Choosing a CAME
Category They Perform
Not all CAMEs perform all three medical categories. Verify the CAME you choose performs the category you need — particularly for Cat 2 (ATC medicals), which fewer CAMEs conduct.
ECG Availability
If you need a Cat 1 or Cat 2 medical, an ECG is required. Some CAMEs have ECG equipment on-site; others require a referral to a separate clinic. Confirm this before your appointment — arranging a separate ECG can add time and cost to your renewal process.
Wait Times
Popular CAMEs in major cities can have wait times of several weeks. If your medical is expiring soon, call ahead to confirm availability. In rural areas, the nearest CAME may be a significant drive — plan accordingly.
Pricing
Pricing varies significantly across Canada and between individual CAMEs. Our directory shows human-verified pricing so you can compare before booking.
Languages
If you prefer to conduct your examination in French, filter our directory for French-speaking CAMEs.
Remote and Northern Canada
Pilots in northern and remote communities face unique challenges accessing CAMEs. The Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon have very few designated CAMEs — in some cases only one or two per territory.
Practical options for northern pilots:
– Yellowknife has a CAME who serves NWT and Nunavut — plan well ahead as wait times can be significant
– Some pilots in remote communities travel to the nearest major centre (Edmonton, Winnipeg) for their medical
– Ask your CAME whether they offer fly-in appointments or satellite clinic days in remote communities
– Book 2-3 months in advance in northern regions — do not leave renewal to the last month
Use our directory and filter by province/territory to find the nearest CAME. For Nunavut and very remote NWT, contact Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine directly for guidance on the nearest available examiner.
What to Bring to Your CAME Appointment
Regardless of which medical category you are seeking, bring:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s licence or passport)
- Your current medical certificate (if renewing)
- Complete medication list — all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements with dosages
- Medical history summary — any significant illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, or ongoing conditions in the past 5+ years
- Corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses if you use them; bring a spare pair of glasses
- Previous specialist reports if you have any conditions that have previously been assessed for aviation fitness
- Your pilot licence or student pilot permit (helpful but not always required)
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
The night before:
– Get a full night’s sleep — fatigue can affect blood pressure readings
– Avoid excessive alcohol the night before
The morning of:
– Eat a normal breakfast — arriving fasting is not required and low blood sugar can affect your examination
– Avoid caffeine in the 2 hours before your appointment — it can temporarily elevate blood pressure
– Avoid heavy exercise immediately before the appointment — this can also affect blood pressure
At the appointment:
– Be honest and disclose everything — non-disclosure of a medical condition to your CAME is a serious offence under the Aeronautics Act and can result in licence suspension or criminal charges
– Mention all medications — even over-the-counter items and supplements
– If you have any concerns about a condition, mention them — CAMEs are there to assess and help navigate the process, not simply to fail people
After the Examination
If You Meet the Standards
Your CAME submits their report to Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine (TCAM). Transport Canada issues your medical certificate — typically within a few weeks for straightforward cases. If you need to fly before your new certificate arrives and your previous one has not expired, check with your CAME about the provisional authority process.
If Additional Assessment Is Needed
Your CAME may request additional testing, specialist consultations, or information before finalizing their assessment. This is common for first-time medicals or when a new condition is identified. Cooperate with any requests promptly to avoid delays.
If You Are Found Unfit
Your CAME will issue a Notice of Assessment. You have the right to:
- Submit additional specialist documentation to Transport Canada
- Request a formal review by Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine
- Apply for a Special Medical Certificate if your condition is stable and manageable
Many initially unfavorable assessments are overturned or accommodated with proper documentation. Do not accept a finding as final without exploring your options.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine: 1-800-305-2059
Email: tc.aviationmedicine-medecineaeronautique.tc@tc.gc.ca
CAME vs Family Doctor — Key Differences
| CAME | Family Doctor | |
|---|---|---|
| Can perform aviation medicals | Yes | No (unless also designated as a CAME) |
| Transport Canada designation | Required | Not held |
| Reports submitted to TC | Yes — all reports | No |
| Knowledge of aviation medicine | Trained | General only |
| Can issue provisional certificate | Yes | No |
Frequency of Visits
How often you need to see your CAME depends on your medical category and age:
- Cat 3 under 40 years of age: every 5 years
- Cat 3 40 years of age or older but under 50: every 2 years
- Cat 3 50 years of age or older: every year
- Cat 1 / Cat 2 under 40 years of age: every year
- Cat 1 / Cat 2 40 years of age or older: every 6 months
Build your medical renewal into your training and currency planning — an expired medical means you cannot legally exercise your licence privileges.
CAME Fees — What to Know
Transport Canada does not set or regulate CAME examination fees. Fees are set by each individual physician and vary significantly across Canada and between clinics.
Typical fee ranges (2026):
– Cat 3: $100–$250
– Cat 1: $250–$450+
– ECG (if not included): $50–$150 additional
Some CAMEs also charge separately for audiograms or additional tests. Always confirm the full fee — including any additional charges — when booking. Our directory shows human-verified pricing so you can compare before you call.
Telemedicine Examinations (2025 Rule)
As of March 2025, Transport Canada established that telemedicine medical examinations are only available if your previous examination was conducted in-person. First-time applicants and anyone whose last exam was also by telemedicine must attend in person.
Not all CAMEs offer telemedicine — ask when booking. In-person examination is always required for any test requiring physical assessment (ECG, vision, hearing).
Privacy Notice (2026 Update)
As of January 2026, Transport Canada updated the Privacy Notice and Declaration form. CAMEs are required to provide this notice to applicants before starting the examination. Review it when it is presented — it explains how your medical information is collected, used, and shared with Transport Canada.
Digital Certificates
Transport Canada is currently transitioning toward a digital solution to replace physical medical certificate stickers and booklets. When this rollout completes, the mail delays associated with receiving physical certificates will be eliminated. Ask your CAME for the latest update on timing when you attend your examination.
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
A note on accuracy: This guide reflects Transport Canada standards as of March 2026. Aviation regulations and medical requirements change — this information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always verify specific requirements with your Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) or Transport Canada directly.
