Pilot Guides

How to Find a HIMS AME Near You

A HIMS AME is an Aviation Medical Examiner trained to evaluate and, when required by the FAA, sponsor or monitor airmen with substance- or alcohol-related conditions or certain other mental-health conditions. Not every diagnosis, medication, or alcohol-related event requires the same HIMS pathway.

Reviewed against FAA guidance: July 9, 2026

When HIMS may matter

HIMS is commonly associated with FAA drug or alcohol monitoring and with portions of the FAA Antidepressant Protocol. Whether HIMS is required depends on the diagnosis, treatment, event history, current FAA protocol, and instructions from the FAA or AME. Do not rely on a BAC number, medication name, or another pilot’s outcome as a standalone answer.

What to ask before scheduling

If you believe you may need HIMS, ask whether the AME is actively handling cases like yours, what records they want before a consultation, and whether you should submit MedXPress now or wait until the documentation is organized.

  • Do you handle HIMS cases like mine?
  • Should I schedule a consultation before a medical exam?
  • What FAA letters, treatment records, or monitoring documents should I bring?
  • Do you coordinate with treating physicians or evaluators?
  • What timeline should I expect?

Do not guess your way through a complex case

For a potentially complex case, contact a HIMS AME before beginning an examination if practical. The AME can identify the applicable FAA pathway and documentation, but the FAA retains authority over certification and special-issuance decisions.

Find a HIMS AME near you

Filter AME Foresight to Aviation Medical Examiners with the HIMS designation.

Find a HIMS AME near you

This guide provides general educational information, not medical or legal advice. FAA requirements and medical-certification guidance can change. Confirm the current requirements for your circumstances with the FAA and an appropriately qualified AME.