(a) The board shall appoint a physician or physicians who are qualified to determine the suitability of a person to perform his or her duties as a pilot or a pilot trainee in accordance with subdivision (c).
(b) An applicant for a pilot trainee position or for a pilot license, a pilot trainee, or a pilot seeking renewal of his or her license shall undergo a physical examination by a board-appointed physician in accordance with standards prescribed by the board. Within 30 days prior to the examination, the applicant or licensee shall submit to the physician conducting the physical examination a complete list of all prescribed medications being taken by or administered to the applicant or licensee.
(c) On the basis of both the examination and an evaluation of the effects of the prescription medications named on the submitted list, the physician shall designate to the board whether or not the pilot or pilot trainee is fit to perform his or her duties as a pilot or a pilot trainee.
(d) The license of a pilot shall not be renewed unless he or she is found fit for duty pursuant to subdivision (c).
(e) If a pilot or a pilot trainee is prescribed either a new dosage of a medication or a new medication, or suspends the use of a prescribed medication, he or she shall, within 10 days, submit that information to the board-appointed physician having possession of the prescribed medication list submitted pursuant to subdivision (b). If the physician receives the updated information, the physician shall determine whether or not the medication change affects the licensee’s or trainee’s fitness for duty. If the physician determines that the medication change results in the pilot or pilot trainee being unfit for duty, the physician shall inform the board.
(f) The board may terminate a pilot trainee or suspend or revoke the license of a pilot who fails to submit the prescribed medication information required by this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 324, Sec. 17. (AB 1025) Effective January 1, 2012.)