FAA / HIMS-Certified Psychiatric Evaluation 

Pilot (or AME) calls or sends a secure Spruce message with:

• FAA letter (PDF preferred)

• AME/HIMS-AME name, email, phone

We hold a brief call to outline scope, fees, and required records -> Reserve Saturday Appointment in Midtown Tulsa for 180 minute appointment.

For Aviators traveling in -> We’ll do our best to schedule your visit for same-day fly-in/fly-out.

These are the documents commonly required prior to the HIMS Psychiatry Evaluation. Document submission is the #1 cause delay.

• FAA Letter

• All AME notes/forms

• FAA Form 8065-2 (airman records request) Federal Aviation Administration

• Prior psych/substance treatment records (in-pt & out-pt)

• Therapy progress notes

• Arrest/conviction reports (e.g., DUI police & court docs)

• Drug/alcohol test results & rehab discharge summaries

• Neuropsych & CogScreen-AE scores

• Current medication list & PCP records

Additional Consents:

• Consent & HIPAA signed ROI allowing release to FAA and AME

• Collateral Interviews Interviewing employer or spouse

• Face-to-face HIMS psychiatric exam (2-3 hrs).

• Standardized assessments

• Collateral interview(s): spouse/peer/flight-dept

• Collect final consents for records release to FAA & AME.

• Speak with referring AME/HIMS-AME.

• Request any remaining documents

• Draft comprehensive FAA-format report (Part 67 & HIMS specs).

• Submit to AME & FAA Aeromedical Certification Division (or as indicated on initial letter)

• Rate: $340 per hour

• Card on file: required to reserve appointment for evaluation

• Initial charge: $1,500 at the start of the in-person evaluation

• Final charge: Remaining balance after report is finalized & feedback session. Final report sent at time of final payment.

• No-cost items: Initial call & post-eval feedback

We accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover) through an encrypted BlueFin link. Checks are accepted on a case by case basis for HIMS evaluations. ACH, mobile payments, apple pay and insurance are not accepted.

Substance-Use / Alcohol (Traditional HIMS)

Treatment First → Evaluation Second: As soon as residential/IOP treatment is complete and records are ready HIMS Psychiatry Evaluation may begin.

• FAA & Part 121 carriers usually expect 28 day minimum residential rehab

• Post-treatment HIMS monitoring: professional after-care, daily/weekly 12-Step or equivalent, and monthly sobriety testing.

• One year follow up evaluation

SSRI / Antidepressant Pathway

• Applies only to FAA-approved meds (Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft, Pristiq, Cymbalta, plus Wellbutrin XR (NOT IR), Effexor, Viibryd).

• Often longer than a “straightforward HIMS” alcohol case even when compliant -> 6 months medication & symptom stability.

• “FAA-approved” ≠ automatic clearance. The eight antidepressants on the FAA’s “conditionally acceptable” list are simply the only medications the FAA will consider for certification—they do not bypass the Antidepressant Special-Issuance Pathway.

In short, “approved” means eligible for review—not “pre-cleared.”

Other Mental-Health Conditions (e.g., PTSD, ADHD, Bipolar)

• Same evaluation framework. The FAA makes the regulatory determination, not the psychiatrist.

• Focus is on diagnosis clarity, stability, and regulatory (not DSM-5) standards.

• Documentation gaps (hospitalizations, therapy notes) are the usual slowdown.