Originally Posted by rpatte1637

Unless you have a medical issue that does not meet the FAA standards for the class of medical you are applying for, your AME should be able to issue the certificate the same day as your exam. If he comes across something that has to be deferred to the FAA, then it can take anywhere from just a few days to months or even years. I started flying in 1996 and never really had any problems until recently. I had sugar show up in my urine a couple of years back and had to be tested for diabetes, which took about a week. In April 2016, I had a minor stroke caused by a small blood clot and was back to 100% in about 2 month, but the FAA has a 2 year minimum wait for any type of stroke. As far as class of medical, to start flight training you will probably only need a third class medical, Second class is for commercial flight and only needed if you are working for hire, and First class is for ATP (Airline pilots) mostly. Each class is a little more restrictive on the medical standards, but if you do get a 1st class when the time limit expires for that class it reverts to 2nd and then 3rd. Same with a Second class after the time limit expires it will revert to a 3rd class. Personally I would start with a third class unless you plan to instruct within the valid period of a second class.