Tel: 949-648-7788
FAA Neuropsychological Evaluations
for Pilots and ATCSs
Neuropsychological Assessments (CogScreen) and Psychological Evaluations are required when seeking certification as part of the HIMS program, treatment with antidepressants, and ADHD.
Dr. Jason Olin is a neuropsychologist and psychologist who has been certified by the FAA to conduct neuropsychological assessments and psychological evaluations. This requires both meeting the standards for neuropsychology speciality board certification and extensive additional training in aviation-specific topics.
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These evaluations are lengthy and follow very specific guidelines. They include the review of many documents and records, a thorough interview, testing, and the completion of a detailed report. Although you are the person responsible for the cost of the assessment, these evaluations are written objectively to assist with FAA flight certification decision-making.
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For ATCS employment candidates, the evaluation usually involves a comprehensive interview and administration of tests of personality. In those cases, you are assigned to a specific psychologist.
When an FAA Psychological Evaluation/ Neuropsychological Assessment is Necessary
The most obvious pathway to needing an evaluation is because you have been to an aviation medical examiner (AME), they have submitted your file for a certificate, and based on your history, you received a letter that explicitly states that an evaluation is necessary.
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When meeting with your AME, in some cases they may be able to support the issuance of a certificate if you have had past treatment for depression or for anxiety. Thus, not all mental health treatment results in a deferral and the need for testing.
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There is an exception to this process related to ADHD. This applies to individuals who have had a past diagnosis or treatment for ADHD more than 4 years ago, and who also are symptom free currently. Those individuals may reach out to a psychologist or neuropsychologist first, to conduct a fast track evaluation. You do not have to first see an AME.
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Records Review & Information Gathering
First, we establish the specific assessment that is required. This is indicated in the letter that you received from the FAA. Then, Dr. Olin needs to receive a large array of records from you (FAA medical, prior military, DMV, education, etc.). He reviews those records prior to your first meeting. Dr. Olin might also need to talk to others who have been providing care and evaluation to you (e.g., HIMS AME, other HCPs).​
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Psychological Evaluation and/or Neuropsychological Assessment (CogScreen)
Most, but not all evaluations, involve administration of the CogScreen-AE-2 (CogScreen). This is a computer-administered battery designed and validated using a large sample of aviation participants.
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Depending on the request, the evaluation may include other neuropsychological assessments, to get a comprehensive picture of your cognitive functioning. For a wide range of reasons, the specific test protocol is not shared with you.
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It often takes a full day to conduct the evaluation. Dr. Olin provides you as much information as he can to help you to anticipate the process. He will do what is permitted to help you be prepared and at ease.
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Completing the Psychological Evaluation and/or the Neuropsychological Evaluation
After reviewing your records, meeting with you, doing the neuropsychological assessment (e.g., CogScreen), scoring and interpreting the results, Dr. Olin writes up a report that is used as part of the decision-making for granting you a flight certificate or exemption. This report is provided to the FAA team. You do not receive a copy of the evaluation.
My Aviation Story
I Love Aviation
I've always loved aviation, but lack the temperament to be a pilot. I had a passion for building airplane models, with favorites being the F-4, F-104, B-52, SR-71, and the Boeing 2707 SST. I've also taken several introductory flights on 151s and 172s, and have a curiosity about aviation accidents (books like I Learned Flying from That and Air Disasters).
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I satisfy myself playing flight simulators. I currently fly both X-Plane and Microsoft flight simulator using a Honeycomb Alpha Yoke. My flight sim experiences harken back to SubLogic's first version, played on my brother's Apple ][+.
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I'm also fortunate that my office is very close to SNA. Seeing the flights at sunset is a thrill (though the evening departures of the FedEx and UPS planes can be quite noisy).