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Specifications For Neuropsychological Evaluations For Potential Neurocognitive Impairment

This document outlines the specifications for neuropsychological evaluations for pilots being evaluated for potential neurocognitive impairment. It specifies that evaluations should be conducted by a qualified neuropsychologist with aviation experience and includes what medical records and test results need to be provided. The evaluation report must include a review of records, clinical interview, exam, and interpretation of a full neuropsychological test battery, with recommendations on aviation safety. The core test battery specifications are available securely online. The raw test data may be required for future expert review. Periodic re-evaluations may be required for pilots granted special issuance medical certification.

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205 views

Specifications For Neuropsychological Evaluations For Potential Neurocognitive Impairment

This document outlines the specifications for neuropsychological evaluations for pilots being evaluated for potential neurocognitive impairment. It specifies that evaluations should be conducted by a qualified neuropsychologist with aviation experience and includes what medical records and test results need to be provided. The evaluation report must include a review of records, clinical interview, exam, and interpretation of a full neuropsychological test battery, with recommendations on aviation safety. The core test battery specifications are available securely online. The raw test data may be required for future expert review. Periodic re-evaluations may be required for pilots granted special issuance medical certification.

Uploaded by

Voltha Herry
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SPECIFICATIONS FOR

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS
FOR POTENTIAL NEUROCOGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
(Updated 01/29/2020)

Why is a neuropsychological evaluation required? Head trauma, stroke,


encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, other suspected acquired or developmental
conditions, and medications used for treatment, may produce cognitive deficits
that would make an airman unsafe to perform pilot duties. This guideline outlines
the requirements for a neuropsychological evaluation.

Who may perform a neuropsychological evaluation?


Neuropsychological evaluations should be conducted by a qualified
Neuropsychologist with additional training in aviation-specific topics. The
following link contains a list of neuropsychologists who meet all FAA quality
criteria. See FAA Neuropsychologist List.

Will I need to provide any of my medical records? You should make records
available to the neuropsychologist prior to the evaluation, to include:
• Copies of all records regarding prior psychiatric/substance-related
hospitalizations, observations or treatment not previously submitted to the
FAA.
• A complete copy of your agency medical records. You should request a
copy of your agency records be sent directly to the psychiatrist and
psychologist by submitting a Request for Airman Medical Records (FAA
Form 8065-2).

What must the neuropsychological evaluation report include? At a


minimum:
• A review of all available records, including academic records, records of
prior psychiatric hospitalizations, and records of periods of observation or
treatment (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, or pediatric neuropsychiatrist
treatment notes). Records must be in sufficient detail to permit a clear
evaluation of the nature and extent of any previous mental disorders.
• A thorough clinical interview to include a detailed history regarding:
psychosocial or developmental problems; academic and employment
performance; legal issues; substance use/abuse (including treatment and
quality of recovery); aviation background and experience; medical
conditions, and all medication use; and behavioral observations during the
interview and testing.
• A mental status examination.
• Interpretation of a full battery of neuropsychological and psychological
tests including, but not limited to, the “core test battery” (specified
below).
• An integrated summary of findings with an explicit diagnostic statement,
and the neuropsychologist’s opinion(s) and recommendation(s) regarding
clinically or aeromedically significant findings and the potential impact on
aviation safety consistent with the Federal Aviation Regulations.

What is required in the “core test battery?


To promote test security, itemized lists of tests comprising
psychological/neuropsychological test batteries have been moved to a secure
site. Authorized professionals should use the portal at FAA Neuropsychology
Testing Specifications. For access, email a request to 9-amc-aam-
[email protected].

What must be submitted? The neuropsychologist’s report as specified in the


portal, plus:
• Copies of all computer score reports; and
• An appended score summary sheet that includes all scores for all tests
administered. When available, pilot norms must be used. If pilot norms
are not available for a particular test, then the normative comparison
group (e.g., general population, age/education-corrected) must be
specified. Also, when available, percentile scores must be included.

Recommendations should be strictly limited to the psychologist’s area of


expertise. For questions about testing or requirements, email 9-amc-aam-
[email protected].

What else does the neuropsychologist need to know?


• The FAA will not proceed with a review of the test findings without the
above data.
• The data and clinical findings will be carefully safeguarded in accordance
with the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
(2002) as well as applicable federal law.
• The raw neurocognitive testing data may be required at a future date for
expert review by one of the FAA’s consulting clinical neuropsychologists.
In that event, authorization for release of the data by the airman to the
expert reviewer will need to be provided.

Additional Helpful Information

1. Will additional testing be required in the future? If eligible for unrestricted


medical certification, no additional testing would be required. However, pilots
found eligible for Special Issuance will be required to undergo periodic re-
evaluations. The letter authorizing special issuance will outline required
testing, which may be limited to specific tests or expanded to include a
comprehensive test battery.
2. Useful references for the neuropsychologist:
• MOST COMPREHENSIVE SINGLE REFERENCE:
Aeromedical Psychology (2013). C.H. Kennedy & G.G. Kay (Editors).
Ashgate.
• Pilot norms on neurocognitive tests: Kay, G.G. (2002). Guidelines for the
Psychological Evaluation of Aircrew Personnel. Occupational Medicine, 17
(2), 227-245.
• Aviation-related psychological evaluations: Jones, D. R. (2008).
Aerospace Psychiatry. In J. R. Davis, R. Johnson, J. Stepanek & J. A.
Fogarty (Eds.), Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine (4th Ed.), (pp. 406-
424). Philadelphia: Lippencott Williams & Wilkins.

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