Registry Procedures Manual - C.29

Appendix C. National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
General Questions
1. What is the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners? The National Registry of
Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) is a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) program that establishes minimum training and testing requirements
for all State-licensed healthcare professionals who perform physical qualification examinations
for truck and bus drivers. Beginning May 21, 2014, all drivers who need a new medical
certificate must see an examiner on the National Registry. Medical certificates issued prior to
May 21, 2014 remain valid until the expiration date.
2. Why did FMCSA establish the National Registry? FMCSA issued the rule in response to
the statutory requirements in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the surface transportation reauthorization legislation
enacted in 2005. The final rule will improve safety by ensuring that medical examiners have
completed training and testing concerning FMCSA's physical qualifications standards and only
issue medical certificates to individuals who meet those standards.
Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Drivers
1. Do I have to have a new physical examination with a medical examiner on the National
Registry on May 21, 2014, even if my certificate is not yet expired? No. Medical
certificates issued prior to May 21, 2014, are valid until the expiration date on the certificate.
Any interstate CMV driver seeking a medical certificate on or after May 21, 2014, must obtain
it form an examiner listed on the National Registry website located at https://nationalregistry.
fmcsa.dot.gov
2. Will the physical qualifications standards change on May 21, 2014, as a result of the
National Registry deadline? No. The physical qualifications standards for CMV drivers will
not change. What may happen is that some examiners who have completed the mandatory
training and testing may conduct more thorough examinations and subsequently, identify
drivers who were not supposed to received unrestricted 2-year medical certificates.
3. How do I find a certified medical examiner? Certified medical examiners are listed on the
National Driver Registry website at https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov
4. I prefer going to my doctor for my commercial motor vehicle physical exam. Can I still
use him/her after May 21, 2014? Yes. You can still use your doctor provided he/she is listed
as a certified medical examiner on the National Registry.
If not, you will have to use a certified
medical examiner who is listed on the National Registry website at https://nationalregistry.
fmcsa.dot.gov
Back to Index

https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov

Registry Procedures Manual

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Registry Procedures Manual