The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued a rule that establishes a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry).  Healthcare professionals who are on the National Registry are the only individuals who are permitted to perform physical qualification examinations for commercial truck and bus drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in interstate commerce.  The healthcare professionals who are on the National Registry must first successfully complete training and testing on physical qualification standards and guidelines as set forth by the FMCSA.

Background Information

• The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted crash investigations and determined that some crashes that resulted in fatalities and serious injuries were caused by drivers who had disqualifying medical conditions.To address this issue, the NTSB recommended that the FMCSA raise the standards for healthcare professionals who perform the medical examinations.

• In response to the NTSB recommendation and a directive from the Congress, the FMCSA conducted rulemaking that resulted in a final rule that the accomplished the following:

  • Established a National Registry: and

  • Developed training, testing, and continuing education requirements for healthcare professional who perform the physical examinations for commercial drivers who are involved in interstate commerce.

Impact on Interstate CMV Drivers

• If your medical certificate expires on or after May 21, 2014, you must obtain a physical examination from a medical examiner who is listed on the National Registry.

• Employers are still required to ensure that all drivers who operate CMV’s on their behalf are medically qualified.As was the case prior to the effective date of this rule, those employers may require drivers to be examined by medical examiners that are acceptable to the employer.

To find an approved medical examiner in your area, use the following link.  http://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov To learn more, or if you have any questions please contact the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Safety and Health Department at phone: 202.624.6960. or email: ibtsafety@teamster.org