Abstract
On 18 April, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced plans to develop a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The new plan requires all medical examiners who conduct physical examinations for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to meet the following criteria: (1) complete specific training about FMCSA's physical qualification standards; (2) pass a test to verify understanding of those standards; and (3) maintain and demonstrate competence through periodic training and testing. By 21 May, 2014, all certified medical examiners must be in the National Registry database, after which all drivers must receive a medical examination from a certified medical examiner. Health care practitioners who wish to become certified medical examiners must meet the training and testing requirements set forth by FMCSA. After training and testing requirements are met, health care practitioners are added to the National Registry. In addition, certified medical examiners must complete refresher training every 5 years and recertify every 10 years. Medical examiners who fail to meet and maintain federal standards will not be included in the National Registry. This article provides information related to U.S. Department of Transportation driver medical certification regulations. These changes impact drivers, employers, medical examiners, and occupational health nurses and safety specialists who manage the certification of drivers.