Medical examiners

If you’re wanting to become a medical examiner, or you wish to maintain your designation, we have some helpful information below.

Becoming a medical examiner

To become a medical examiner, you must meet the requirements of Part 67. They include:

(1)  being a medical practitioner; and
(2)  having:
(i)   successfully completed aviation medicine training acceptable to the Director outlined in rule 67.161(2)(i) and being either:

• post-graduate Diploma of Aviation Medicine from either the University of Otago or the Royal College of Physicians (London)
  or
• both the aviation physiology and clinical aviation medicine papers offered on a post-graduate basis by the University of Otago
  or
• an MD Aviation Medicine from the University of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India
  or
• Board Certification in Aviation Medicine (USA)
  or
• equivalent post graduate aviation medicine education found acceptable by the Director, on a case by case basis.

(ii)  successfully completed aviation regulatory medicine training acceptable to the Director (as in rule 67.161(2)(ii)); and
(iii)  demonstrated to the Director that he or she meets the relevant competencies set out in Appendix A; and

(3)  having access to clinical, administrative and communication facilities adequate for the purpose of carrying out medical examinations to the required standard in accordance with the medical manual; and
(4)  having a reasonable ability to communicate effectively in English; and
(5)  meeting the exposition requirements in 67.163.

See Part 67 Medical Standards and Certification for further information.

Operating requirements for medical examiners are covered in Part 67 Subpart E of the CARs.

To meet the requirements of rule 67.203(a)(5) a person who holds a medical examiner certificate must  attend ongoing training courses in aviation medicine and aviation regulation, as may reasonably be required by the Director.

These ongoing training courses are:

For holders of a Medical Examiner 1 certificate:

• Undertaking training activities which are acceptable for 40 or more CME points from the RNZCGP (or equivalent for other vocational registration groups) in respect of aviation medical practice during the previous 36 months.

For holders of a Medical Examiner 2 certificate:

• Undertaking training activities which are acceptable for 25 or more CME points from the RNZCGP (or equivalent for other vocational registration groups) in respect of aviation medical practice during the previous 36 months.

Note 1: Activities such as attendance of aviation medicine conferences overseas are acceptable for gaining points for this purpose, and the point value will be considered on a case by case basis.

Note 2: Medical Examiner Designations are issued by the Director for a period of up to 36 months (3 years).

Application for Delegation of the Director (Medical Examiner)

1. Download and complete the CAA700 Application for Delegation of the Director [PDF 86 KB].
2. Once your application has been accepted, you will be invited to attend aviation regulatory medicine training. Aviation regulatory medicine training is delivered by the CAA and held bi-annually

Maintaining your medical examiner designation

The requirements for continued compliance by medical examiners are stated in CAR Part 67.203. It includes the ongoing requirement for aviation medicine and regulatory medicine training.

It also requires an up-to-date exposition to be maintained and available for inspection. Medical examiners can generate their own personalised exposition online.

Medical examiner exposition website(external link)

Medical examiner resources