If you have a condition or circumstance that requires a medical certificate for flying, there are certain requirements it must meet in order for it to be valid.
Every certificate must include:
- Diagnosis
- Type of treatment
- Date and time issued
- Patient's full name, clearly legible
- ID number
- Flight number and destination
- Specify if additional medical equipment is required, such as a portable oxygen concentrator, portable equipment for dialysis, medical travel companion, or other special requirements.
- Physician's signature.
Keep in mind:
- All medical certificates must be issued no earlier than 10 days before the scheduled flight departure date. This certificate will be valid on the return flight for up to 1 month, provided there are no changes in medical condition.
Medical certificates if you are traveling with medical equipment
If you are traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator, your medical certificate must state:
- That you or your travel companion have the physical and cognitive ability to see, hear, and understand the device's visual and auditory prompts and warnings.
- The need to use oxygen for part or all of the flight.
- It must contain the seal and registration information of the issuing physician.
- Less than 10 days must have passed since it was issued. It will be your responsibility to renew this certificate in the case that your prescribed oxygen requirements change.
- This certificate will be valid for 1 month.
If you are traveling with a portable dialysis device, your medical certificate must state:
- The need to use the device on board.
- It must contain the seal and registration information of the issuing physician.
- Less than 10 days must have passed since it was issued. It will be your responsibility to renew this certificate in the case that your medical requirements change.