Failed the FAA color vision test? Do this next.
Updated: 3 days ago
The answer may be simpler than you think: Try the Rabin Cone Contrast Test.
I've examined a number of aspiring pilots who didn't pass the Waggoner color vision test during their FAA medical examination.
Some were understandably discouraged and wondered whether their dream of becoming a pilot was over. Others started looking for alternative testing options, which meant searching for a doctor who offers a different test that might demonstrate color vision.
Here's what I want those pilots to know: Failing one color vision test doesn't necessarily mean you can't qualify for an unrestricted FAA medical certificate.
How Is the Rabin Cone Contrast Test Different From the Waggoner Test?
The Waggoner color vision test is familiar to most pilots. The test result is essentially pass or fail.
The Rabin Cone Contrast Test works differently.
Instead of simply giving you a pass or fail result, the Rabin test measures your ability to distinguish colors and assigns numerical scores to your color vision performance.
The FAA has established minimum acceptable scores for this test. If your scores meet the FAA's requirements, you may satisfy the color vision standard for an unrestricted FAA medical certificate, assuming you meet all the other medical requirements.
This means it's possible to fail the FAA color vision test (Waggoner test) but still pass the Rabin test.
That's why having access to alternative testing matters.
What Should You Expect During the Rabin Test?
The test itself is straightforward.
You'll be tested one eye at a time, and each eye takes approximately two to three minutes. Your results are available immediately afterward.
Here are a few recommendations I give pilots before their appointment:
Wear your glasses or contact lenses if you need them for your best corrected vision.
Do not wear blue-light-blocking or tinted lenses during the test, as they may affect color perception.
Come when you're feeling well. If you're sick, exhausted, or otherwise not feeling your best, consider rescheduling.
If you don't pass on your first attempt, I allow one repeat attempt (per eye).
My goal is to give you a fair opportunity to demonstrate your color vision ability under appropriate testing conditions.
Why Isn't the Rabin Test Available at Every AME Office?
In January 2025, the FAA introduced significant changes to its color vision testing requirements.
Pilots who had already demonstrated acceptable color vision under the previous standards generally retained that qualification without having to repeat the test (ever again).
For new applicants, the FAA now recognizes only three computerized color vision testing systems: the Waggoner, Rabin Cone Contrast Test, and Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test.
However, not all of these tests are equally accessible.
The Waggoner test is widely available at AME offices, while only a few AMEs offer the Rabin Cone Contrast Test. The CAD test is even less commonly available. The reason for this discrepancy in availability is due to the cost of acquisition. The Waggoner test costs x, the Rabin is 8x, and CAD is about 18x.
As of this writing (October 2026), I'm aware of only one other AME in Georgia offering the Rabin Cone Contrast Test.
Why I Decided to Offer the Rabin Test
As a board-certified ophthalmologist and a Senior FAA Aviation Medical Examiner, I have a particular interest in helping pilots navigate color vision requirements.
I've seen pilots become discouraged after failing their initial screening. I've also seen how inconvenient it can be for them to find alternative testing, especially when it requires traveling out of state.
I thought there should be another option closer to home.
That's why I decided to offer the Rabin Cone Contrast Test at my practice in Georgia.
Most pilots will never need this test. But for those who do, having another FAA-accepted testing option nearby can make a meaningful difference.
If you've failed the Waggoner color vision test or need an FAA-accepted alternative color vision test, schedule a Rabin Cone Contrast Test with me.
Jenna Kim, MD
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Senior FAA Aviation Medical Examiner | HIMS AME
Comments