Step‑by‑Step Timeline for FAA Neuropsych Testing (2025 Update)

If you’ve been asked by the FAA or your AME to undergo a neuropsychological evaluation, timing matters. The fastest approvals happen when pilot applicants and pilots (and their treating clinicians) know exactly what to collect, when to schedule testing, and how the review pipeline actually works. This guide lays out the typical milestones from the day you decide to pursue clearance through receipt of the FAA’s decision—with realistic time ranges and specific actions to keep things moving. For the ADHD Fast Track Process, click here.

TL;DR Quick Timeline

Week	Milestone	Your Action	Typical Duration
0	Decide to pursue FAA clearance	Read this guide; confirm eligibility	1–3 days
0‑1	Document collection	Fax 8065-2 form to FAA gather pharmacy, medical, academic, DMV records; complete Personal Statement (if needed)	1–2 weeks (parallel)
0-1	Schedule FAA neuropsych eval	Submit intake forms + upload docs	Scheduling backlog dependent (fast‑track slots often <2 wks)
2‑4	Testing Day	In‑office neurocognitive battery + clinical interview	1 full day (occasionally 2 half‑days)
3‑5	Scoring & interpretation	None (respond quickly to clarifications)	~7–14 calendar days
4‑6	Report finalized & packet assembled	Review draft, sign releases	~1 week (faster if docs complete and slower if FAA is slow to transmit file)
5‑8	AME/ Submission to FAA	AME transmits or file is mailed; confirm receipt	Days–1 week
8‑16+	FAA review & decision	Respond to any follow‑up requests immediately	Variable; 4–12 wks common

The Goal: If you deliver a complete document set up front and accept the first available testing date, packets have the potential to reach the FAA the fastest.

Step 0 – Confirm You Need (or Want) a Neuropsychological Evaluation

You must complete an FAA‑qualified neuropsychological evaluation if:

• You reported having an ADHD diagnosis or ADHD medication use on MedXpress.

• The FAA letter indicated a concern regarding past substance use, a stroke or seizure.

• Your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) deferred your certificate pending “ADHD work‑up.”

• The FAA sent you a request letter (often citing SSRI or stimulant history, past brain injury, academic accommodations, or attention complaints).

  
  

Unsure? Book a 15‑minute FAA Readiness Call. We’ll review your history and let you know whether fast‑track testing is advisable.→ Schedule FAA Readiness Call

See also FAA Evaluations overview.

Step 1 – Collect Required Documents (Start Immediately)

Document lag is the #1 delay in pilot clearance.

For the standard ADHD evaluation you can also download the fast track checklist:

FAA-ADHD-Fast-Track-Checklist-2025.pdf

Download PDF • 60KB

Minimum required before testing date is confirmed:

• FAA Medical file (requested via FAX with 8065-2 form.)

• Pharmacy records (4 yrs), even if you haven't had any prescriptions

• ADHD‑related or psychiatry-related medical & therapy records

• Driver‑license (DMV) records (4 yrs, all states)

• Academic/Accommodation records (transcripts, 504/IEP, standardized test scores)

• Personal Statement (FAA 14‑question format, required for ADHD)

Optional and often helpful: prior neuropsych testing, flight instructor letters, recent performance reviews.

Timing tip: Request your FAA medical file first; it often takes the longest to arrive.

Step 2 – Intake & Scheduling

While gathering records:

1. Schedule a 15-minute consultation.

2. Select preferred dates.

3. Complete intake paperwork (consent, good faith estimate, etc.).

4. For the standard ADHD evaluation, schedule the required urine drug screening within 24 hours of the completion of the testing day. This can be challenging to arrange.

Step 3 – Testing Day (What to Expect)

Plan for a full day in clinic. Bring government ID, corrective lenses, snacks, and any required medication.

Typical sequence:

1. Introductions, review informed consent and procedures.

2. Computerized testing (e.g., CogScreen‑AE).

3. Standard neuropsych battery (possibly covering areas like attention, memory, executive abilities, learning & memory, processing speed, and motor skills).

4. Clinical interview & record review discussion.

5. Self‑report questionnaires (mood, ADHD, sleep, substance history).

Breaks are scheduled; you can bring lunch or step out. Fatigue undermines performance—sleep 7+ hrs the night before. For the standard ADHD evaluation, complete a urine drug screening within 24 hours of the end of testing.

Step 4 – Scoring, Interpretation & Clarifications

After testing is complete, we score, compare your performance using appropriate norms, integrate records, and resolve any data conflicts (e.g., you report stimulant use but pharmacy log shows gaps). We may email brief clarification questions—respond within 24 hrs to keep the timeline tight. It is also possible that we may schedule additional testing. This occurs when there is signs of a possible weakness or inconsistency. For the standard ADHD evaluation, send the results of your urine drug screening.

Step 5 – Report Sign‑Off

You’ll receive notice when the report is complete. Sign release forms authorizing submission to your AME/HIMS physician and/or to the FAA.

Turnaround: Reports typically finalize within 7–14 days of test completion if all records were received on time. The biggest delay is the timing for receipt of your FAA medical file.

Step 6 – Packet Assembly & AME/HIMS Submission

Your packet generally includes:

• Neuropsychological Report

• Summaries and computerized scoring reports of tests administered

• Copies of all source records not in the possession of the FAA

• Your Personal Statement (if required).

We transmit the neuropsych packet securely to either your designated AME/HIMS physician or directly to the FAA. The AME bundles it with the full medical submission to the FAA’s Aerospace Medical Division.

Step 7 – FAA Review & Decision Window

FAA review time varies by season and case volume. Recent experience:

• Straightforward ADHD history and test results: ~4–8 weeks.

If the FAA needs clarification, they’ll send a letter to you and/or your AME. Contact us immediately; most items can be answered quickly if records are complete.

Common Delay Points (and How to Avoid Them)

Missing pharmacy data – Ask all pharmacies; travel or mail‑order fills count.

Missing educational history – Get records from all school systems attended.

Selective medical history – Don't give excerpts of the records; provide the complete document.

Personal Statement gaps – Address every FAA question; make sure to sign and date it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens of I don't do well on the tests? It depends. If you are showing a weakness on one test and it doesn't show up elsewhere, it may not be a cause of concern. It's acceptable to perform in the average range. However, if you consistently do poorly in one area of cognitive function, it might be viewed as being aeromedically significant. Should that occur, we'll discuss it at length.

Can telehealth records count? Yes, if they include diagnosis, treatment dates, and provider credentials.

How recent or old must my academic records be? Provide historical and most recent—FAA looks for developmental onset and current functional impact. It's not uncommon for applicants to be able to find records all the way back to elementary school.

Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 15‑minute FAA Readiness Call to confirm whether you qualify for Fast‑Track and to receive your secure upload link.→ Schedule a 15-minute consultation

Prepared by Olin Psychological APC. Last updated: July 2025.