Civil Aviation Medical Certificate Processing
Location: National
Issue/Source: Backlog in Processing Civil Aviation Medical Certificates
Date: November 28, 2022
Suggested Responses
- Transport Canada processes approximately 60,000 aviation medical certificate applications each year, which are essential for maintaining public and aviation safety.
- Maintaining the integrity of the review process to ensure safety is important. Transport Canada has been improving its capacity to process the large number of applications by implementing digital solutions and hiring additional staff.
- Transport Canada is also working with industry and stakeholders to provide timely medical certification for essential aviation services, including commercial operations and pilot training.
If Pressed
- More than 70% of all pilots seeking to renew their medical certificates receive their certification immediately from the Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) through an in-office endorsement in their Aviation Document Booklet.
- New applications and more complex files require additional time to review.
- The targeted service delivery timeline for medically non-complex new applications is 40 business days upon receipt of a Medical Examination Report or Medical Declaration.
- Incomplete and medically complex applications are not subject to the 40 business day service standard, and may require more time to complete.
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- Incomplete applications are those which have not been filled out with the necessary medical information or which are missing essential medical documents (eg. hearing tests, electrocardiograms).
- Medically complex applications are those which involve medical conditions which may be disqualifying for certification. They may require additional examinations, tests, or reports along with medical expert review before a decision can be made.
- Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible for aviation medical certificates.
Background Information
- Pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight engineers must have a valid medical certification to exercise the privileges of their licences.
- Since March 2022, applications have increased from approximately 5,000 to 6,000 per month, due to increased interest in aviation as many public health measures were lifted and flight schools and cadet programs reopened.
- The increased quantity and complexity of applications pose immense challenges to TC.
- TC is working to improve its processes and ensure there are sufficient resources and staff to process aviation medical certificates in the most efficient manner possible to address the backlog.
- The Department is also working to digitalize our processes, including by implementing an electronic medical examination review system to eliminate paper-based dependencies. Close to 90% of applications are now processed electronically.
- TC has established a triage channel with stakeholders such as associations, unions, operators, and schools to prioritize commercial files.
- TC is also working to improve communications with applicants and is developing an application for applicants to track their files. The application is expected to be online by the end of 2022-23.