Dec. 10, 2025
The FAA recently lowered wait times after an individual begins an antidepressant medication, or changes the dosage.
Individuals on an acceptable antidepressant now must wait only three months on a single, stable dose before completing required testing of the FAA antidepressant protocol, where previously they had to wait six months.
“The FAA has added to the list of permissible antidepressants in recent years, but the required six-month waiting period on a single, stable dose continued to have an outsized affect, as pilots are grounded immediately upon taking their first dose or changing dosage,” said NBAA Director of Safety and Flight Operations Mark Larsen. “The reduction of time to three months is progress toward reducing the barriers that keep pilots from seeking forms of mental health treatment.”
The reduction follows recommendations from the 2023/2024 Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
The agency also announced revisions to diabetes management for insulin-dependent diabetics. Specifically, requirements for insulin-treated diabetes mellitus using a continuous glucose monitor have been simplified to allow for glucose management indicator less than 7%, instead of 6.5%, and a coefficient of variance of less than or equal to 36%, with less than 33% preferred.
“We continue to see revisions to medical certification for insulin-treated diabetes as management technology improves and the FAA collects more data,” said Larsen.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.