If you are under 40 years old, how long is your third-class medical certificate valid?

For individuals under 40 years old, a third-class medical certificate is valid for a period of 60 calendar months, which is equivalent to five years. This duration reflects the FAA's regulations regarding the frequency of medical evaluations necessary to ensure that pilots remain in good health and meet the fitness requirements for flying.

In contrast, the shorter validity periods of 12, 24, and 36 months generally apply to older pilots or different classes of medical certifications. For third-class medical certificates, the longer duration for younger pilots is designed to reduce the frequency of medical renewals, assuming they are in good health, thus allowing them to focus more on flying rather than medical paperwork. This approach also encourages ongoing participation in aviation activities among younger pilots.