---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 61.53"
title: "14"
number: "61.53"
heading: "Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/61.53"
---

# §61.53. Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.

- (a) **Operations that require a medical certificate.** Except as provided for in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, no person who holds a medical certificate issued under [part 67](/cfr/14/part67.md) of this chapter may act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person:
  - (1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or
  - (2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.
- (b) **Operations that do not require a medical certificate.** For operations provided for in [§ 61.23(b)](/cfr/14/61.23.md?p=b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.
- (c) **Operations requiring a medical certificate or a U.S. driver's license.** For operations provided for in [§ 61.23(c)](/cfr/14/61.23.md?p=c), a person must meet the provisions of—
  - (1) [Paragraph (a)](#a) of this section if that person holds a medical certificate issued under [part 67](/cfr/14/part67.md) of this chapter and does not hold a U.S. driver's license.
  - (2) [Paragraph (b)](#b) of this section if that person holds a U.S. driver's license.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44866, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42550, Aug. 21, 2009]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701-44703, 44707, 44709-44711, 44729, 44903, 45102-45103, 45301-45302.

### Source

Source: Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44866, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42550, Aug. 21, 2009]