Aviation Medical Certificate Processing
Location: National
Issue/Source: Status of aviation medical certificate processing / TRAN
Date: March 2024
Suggested Responses
- Transport Canada (TC) is currently reviewing all eligible applications within the 40-business day service delivery timeline.
- Transport Canada continues to prioritize medical certificate applications for the maintenance of essential aviation services and the preservation of livelihoods.
- Maintaining the integrity of the review process to ensure safety in accordance with Canada's international obligations is important. Transport Canada has been improving its capacity to process the large number of applications by implementing digital solutions and hiring additional staff.
If Pressed
- 92% of applications are either renewed immediately by their examiners or are reviewed within the service delivery timeline.
- 8% of applications are medically complex that require additional review and may require additional medical information to determine whether medical certification is possible. These applications are not subject to the
40-business day service delivery timeline.
- Transport Canada continues to liaise with stakeholders including airlines, associations, unions, and flight training units to identify and process priority applications.
- Transport Canada is continuously working on improving communication options for applicants.
Background Information
- Pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight engineers must have a valid medical certification to exercise the privileges of their licenses. Transport Canada (TC) processes approximately 60 000 applications each year for aviation medical certificates.
- Transport Canada (TC) continues to improve communication options for applicants. Queries are being consolidated, triaged, and responded to more quickly and efficiently with a new online query webform.
- A recently reorganized call centre is currently managing telephone queries efficiently.
- An online applicant portal has been launched to further enhance communication with applicants.
- Transport Canada (TC) has transitioned to online submission of applications through the electronic Medical Examination Report (eMER) system, and further work is planned to enhance its capabilities to achieve greater efficiencies.