§ 68.9 Special Issuance process.

(a) General. An individual who has met the qualifications to operate an aircraft under § 61.113(i) of this chapter and is seeking to act as a pilot in command or serve as a required flightcrew member under that section must have completed the process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate for each of the following: (1) A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of— (i) A personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts; (ii) A psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual— (A) Has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or (B) May reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; (iii) A bipolar disorder; or (iv) A substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in § 67.307(a)(4) of this chapter. (2) A neurological disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following: (i) Epilepsy; (ii) Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause; or (iii) A transient loss of control of nervous system functions without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause. (3) A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of the following: (i) Myocardial infarction; (ii) Coronary heart disease that has required treatment; (iii) Cardiac valve replacement; or (iv) Heart replacement. (b) Special rule for cardiovascular conditions. In the case of an individual with a cardiovascular condition, the process for obtaining an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate shall be satisfied with the successful completion of an appropriate clinical evaluation without a mandatory wait period. (c) Special rule for mental health conditions. (1) In the case of an individual with a clinically diagnosed mental health condition, the ability to operate an aircraft under § 61.113(i) of this chapter shall not apply if— (i) In the judgment of the individual's State-licensed medical specialist, the condition— (A) Renders the individual unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the airman privileges required to operate an aircraft under § 61.113(i) of this chapter; or (B) May reasonably be expected to make the individual unable to perform the duties or exercise the privileges required to operate an aircraft under § 61.113(i) of this chapter; or (ii) The individual's driver's license is revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a clinically diagnosed mental health condition. (2) Subject to paragraph (c)(1) of this section, an individual clinically diagnosed with a mental health condition shall certify every 2 years, in conjunction with the certification under § 68.3(b)(3), that the individual is under the care of a State-licensed medical specialist for that mental health condition. (d) Special rule for neurological conditions. (1) In the case of an individual with a clinically diagnosed neurological condition, the ability to operate an aircraft under § 61.113(i) of this chapter shall not apply if— (i) In the judgment of the individual's State-licensed medical specialist, the condition— (A) Renders the individual unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the airman privileges required to operate an aircraft under § 61.113(i) of this chapter; or (B) May reasonably be expected to make the individual unable to perform the duties or exercise the privileges required to operate an aircraft under § 61.113(i) of this chapter; or (ii) The individual's driver's license is revoked by the issuing agency as a result of a clinically diagnosed neurological condition. (2) Subject to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, an individual clinically diagnosed with a neurological condition shall certify every 2 years, in conjunction with the certification under § 68.3(b)(3), that the individual is under the care of a State-licensed medical specialist for that neurological condition.