EASA medical validity by age: Class 1, Class 2 and LAPL
Checked against the sources below on 29 October 2026. How these guides are written
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Under MED.A.045 an EASA Class 1 medical is valid for 12 months, cut to 6 months once you reach 60, or from 40 if you fly single-pilot commercial air transport carrying passengers. A Class 2 lasts 60 months until 40, 24 months from 40 to 50 and 12 months over 50. An LAPL medical lasts 60 months until 40, then 24 months. A revalidation exam up to 45 days before expiry keeps your old expiry date as the start of the new period.
- Class 1
- 12 months
- Under 60, except single-pilot CAT with passengers from 40
- MED.A.045(a)(1)
- Class 1, reduced
- 6 months
- From 60, or from 40 in single-pilot CAT carrying passengers
- MED.A.045(a)(2)
- Class 2
- 60 months to age 40 (ends at 42 at the latest); 24 months from 40 to 50 (ends at 51); 12 months over 50
- By age
- MED.A.045(a)(3)
- LAPL medical
- 60 months to age 40 (ends at 42 at the latest); 24 months over 40
- By age
- MED.A.045(a)(4)
- Revalidation window
- Exam up to 45 days before expiry; new period runs from the old expiry date
- 45 days
- MED.A.045(a)(5), (b)
- Renewal after expiry
- Under 2 years: routine exam; 2 to 5 years: records reviewed first; over 5 years: initial exam requirements
- Class 1 and 2
- MED.A.045(c)(2)
- Who examines
- Class 1 initial at an AeMC; revalidation and renewal at an AeMC or AME
- Each certificate
- MED.A.040
Class 1 validity and the age 40 and 60 rules
MED.A.045(a)(1): "Class 1 medical certificates shall be valid for a period of 12 months." Point (a)(2) shortens it: "the period of validity of class 1 medical certificates shall be 6 months for licence holders who: (i) are engaged in single-pilot commercial air transport operations carrying passengers and have reached the age of 40; (ii) have reached the age of 60."
The age-40 cut applies only to single-pilot CAT with passengers, such as a CPL holder flying single-pilot passenger charters. A 45-year-old first officer in multi-pilot CAT stays on 12 months. Every Class 1 holder moves to 6 months at 60.
These are medical rules. The age limits on flying in commercial air transport sit in Part-FCL: under FCL.065 a pilot aged 60 to 64 may act as pilot in CAT only "as a member of a multi-pilot crew" (with a single-pilot HEMS exception), and from 65 not at all.
Class 2 and LAPL validity
MED.A.045(a)(3) sets Class 2 at "(i) 60 months, until the licence holder reaches the age of 40. A medical certificate issued prior to the licence holder reaching the age of 40 shall cease to be valid after the licence holder reaches the age of 42; (ii) 24 months, for licence holders aged between 40 and 50. A medical certificate issued prior to the licence holder reaching the age of 50 shall cease to be valid after the licence holder reaches the age of 51; (iii) 12 months, for licence holders aged above 50."
The cut-off ages catch pilots out. A Class 2 issued at 39 would run 60 months to 44, but it stops when you turn 42. A Class 2 issued at 49 and a half would run 24 months to 51 and a half, but it stops when you turn 51.
MED.A.045(a)(4) gives the LAPL medical 60 months until 40, with the same age-42 cut-off, then 24 months for holders aged above 40. MED.A.030(c) sets which certificate each licence needs: at least an LAPL medical for the LAPL, at least Class 2 for the PPL, and Class 1 for the CPL, MPL and ATPL.
When the new validity starts: the 45-day window
MED.A.045(b): "Aero-medical examinations and assessments, as applicable, for the revalidation of a medical certificate may be undertaken up to 45 days prior to the expiry date of the medical certificate." Point (a)(5) then sets the start date: the validity is "calculated from the date of the aero-medical examination in the case of initial issue and renewal, and from the expiry date of the previous medical certificate in the case of revalidation".
With a Class 1 expiring on 30 June, an exam on 20 May is a revalidation and the new 12 months run from 30 June. MED.A.045(c)(1) treats an exam outside the 45-day window as a renewal, and the new period then runs from the exam date, so an exam on 1 May costs you about two months.
AMC1 MED.A.030(a) says "A class 1 medical certificate includes the privileges and validities of class 2 and LAPL medical certificates." A pilot whose Class 1 period has ended may still hold Class 2 validity for PPL privileges. Read the dates your AME or AeMC entered, and ask them or your licensing authority if the certificate is unclear.
If your medical has expired
MED.A.045(c)(2) sets three tiers for Class 1 and Class 2: "(i) if the medical certificate has expired for less than 2 years, a routine revalidation aero-medical examination shall be performed; (ii) if the medical certificate has expired for more than 2 years but less than 5 years, the AeMC or AME shall only conduct the renewal aero-medical examination after assessment of the aero-medical records of the applicant; (iii) if the medical certificate has expired for more than 5 years, the aero-medical examination requirements for initial issue shall apply". For an LAPL medical, point (c)(3) has the AeMC, AME or GMP assess your medical history first.
MED.A.040(c)(1) has Class 1 and Class 2 certificates revalidated and renewed by an AeMC or an AME; only the initial Class 1 must be at an AeMC. Between examinations, MED.A.020 bars you from flying when you know your fitness has decreased, and has you seek aero-medical advice before flying after surgery, starting regular medication, a hospital admission or pregnancy, among other cases. This page gives the rule text only; your AME or AeMC decides on your fitness.
Mistakes pilots make
- Booking the medical more than 45 days before expiry. MED.A.045(c)(1) makes it a renewal, and the new validity runs from the exam date instead of the old expiry date.
- Missing the 6-month Class 1 from age 40 when you move into single-pilot commercial passenger flying, such as a single-pilot charter job.
- Assuming a Class 2 issued at 39 lasts 5 years. MED.A.045(a)(3)(i) ends it when you reach 42.
- Treating the FCL.065 age limits for commercial air transport as medical rules. A valid Class 1 at 61 does not allow single-pilot CAT.
- Flying after surgery or on new regular medication without asking your AME, AeMC or GMP. MED.A.020(b) requires that advice before you use your licence again.
What Off Chocks tracks
- Add your medical in Credentials (Class 1 Medical, Class 2 Medical and other names are suggested) with the expiry date from the certificate. A new medical entry reminds you 60 days before expiry by default, so the reminder comes before the 45-day revalidation window opens.
- Off Chocks does not work out the expiry from your age or from MED.A.045. It uses the date you enter, so copy it from the certificate after every exam.
- On iPhone and iPad the reminder arrives as a notification, and tapping it opens Credentials.
Common questions
- How long is an EASA Class 1 medical valid after 40?
- 12 months, unless you fly single-pilot commercial air transport carrying passengers, when it drops to 6 months (MED.A.045(a)(2)(i)). From 60 it is 6 months for every Class 1 holder.
- How early can I renew my EASA medical?
- Up to 45 days before expiry (MED.A.045(b)). Inside that window the new validity runs from the old expiry date; earlier, the exam counts as a renewal and runs from the exam date.
- Does my Class 1 become a Class 2 when the 12 months end?
- AMC1 MED.A.030(a) says a Class 1 certificate includes the privileges and validities of Class 2 and LAPL certificates, so Class 2 validity can continue for PPL privileges. Check the dates on your certificate with your AME.
- My medical expired 3 years ago. What happens?
- For Class 1 or 2, the AeMC or AME reviews your aero-medical records before the renewal examination (MED.A.045(c)(2)(ii)). After more than 5 years, the initial issue examination requirements apply.
- Who can revalidate an EASA Class 1 medical?
- An AeMC or an AME (MED.A.040(c)(1)). The initial Class 1 must be issued by an AeMC (MED.A.040(b)(1)).
- Do I need to validate a medical issued in another EASA Member State?
- No. EASA's medical FAQ says a valid medical certificate issued by an AME authorised by an EASA State is recognised by all Member States without additional proceedings.
Sources
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, October 2026 revision: MED.A.045 Validity, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, October 2026 revision: MED.A.030 Medical certificates, with AMC1 MED.A.030
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, October 2026 revision: MED.A.040 Issuance, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, October 2026 revision: FCL.065 Curtailment of privileges of licence holders aged 60 years or more in CAT
- EASA FAQ: Medical
This is a plain-words summary to help you keep your own records, not legal advice. The regulation and your operator's procedures always take precedence.