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FAA CACI Migraine and Chronic Headache Worksheet

Pilots with migraine, tension or cluster headaches can be certified in the AME's office through this Conditions AMEs Can Issue (CACI) checklist. The AME reviews the treating physician's or specialist's progress note, from a visit within 90 days of the exam, which must explain every item: frequency and severity, symptoms, preventive and rescue medications, and any nerve stimulation device. If all criteria are met, the AME issues.

Who completes it

The AME completes the checklist and marks the Block 60 outcome. The treating physician or neurologist writes the current, detailed Clinical Progress Note that addresses each item on the worksheet.

Submitting and payment

How to submit it
A qualifying case is noted as 'CACI qualified migraine and chronic headaches' in Block 60 of FAA Form 8500-8, and documents do not need to be submitted. Otherwise the AME defers and submits the supporting documents.

Good to know

  • Frequency limits: no more than one episode a month, no more than two outpatient or urgent care visits for exacerbation in the last 12 months, and no inpatient hospitalization for headache.
  • Disqualifying symptoms include neurological impairment or TIA-type symptoms, auras without headache, central or significant peripheral vision impairment, vertigo, syncope and mental status change.
  • Accepted preventives, after a ground trial and with no side effects: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and CGRP antagonists used only for prevention. Tricyclics and anticonvulsants are not acceptable.
  • Rescue drugs carry no-fly times, such as 24 hours for most triptans and 48 for eletriptan or frovatriptan. Narcotics, Fiorinal, Fioricet and Midrin are not acceptable.

Get the official form

Download the current version from the source each time; forms change without notice.

CACI - Migraine and Chronic Headache Worksheet

Official pagePDF

Fill it with Vero

If your copy of the form is a fillable PDF, upload it once and Vero Documents fills it from the visit note and the chart, ready for you to review and sign. Download, print, or email the finished form, with the patient’s consent.

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How this list is checked

A form is listed only after its name and number were confirmed on the issuing agency’s or insurer’s own website, or in the form itself. Each entry links to that source. The list was last checked in October 2026. Forms and their requirements change without notice, so check the official page for the current version before you complete one.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a pilot take triptans under the FAA migraine CACI?

Yes. Triptans, alone or combined with an NSAID, are accepted rescue drugs with a 24-hour no-fly period, or 48 hours for eletriptan (Relpax) and frovatriptan (Frova). Ubrogepant and rimegepant carry 24 hours, metoclopramide 36, ondansetron 24 and promethazine 96.

Are migraine devices like Cefaly allowed for FAA pilots?

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation units such as Cefaly, gammaCore, Relivion MG or Nerivio are accepted alone or with acceptable medications. Preventive use carries an 8-hour no-fly time and rescue or therapeutic use 24 hours. A device that causes sedation or cognitive changes is not acceptable.

How often can headaches occur under the FAA migraine CACI?

No more than one episode a month, with only mild, non-disabling symptoms that do not impair vision. In the past 12 months there can be no more than two outpatient or urgent care visits for exacerbations, and there must be no history of inpatient hospitalization for headaches.