Changes to FMCSA Medical Examiner’s Certification for Commercial Drivers

In addition to urgent care, occupational medicine, and our many other services, Champlain Medical provides exams for commercial drivers. There have been changes in the certification process, which are outlined below.

Medical Examiner’s Certification

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has updated its Medical Examiner’s Certification process to improve the accuracy, security, and communication of commercial drivers’ health qualifications. As of the latest changes, all certified Medical Examiners (MEs), commercial drivers, and licensing agencies must follow streamlined protocols aimed at reducing paperwork errors and ensuring faster data transmission to state licensing authorities. These changes align with FMCSA’s broader goal of enhancing highway safety by verifying that all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers meet consistent health standards.

Key updates include:

Medical Examiners must now upload completed Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MECs) directly to the National Registry within one business day.

States are required to retrieve and verify MEC information through a secure electronic system, minimizing the need for drivers to submit physical copies.

Medical Examiners must ensure accurate data entry, including driver's license number, issuing state, and driver contact information, to avoid processing delays.

Commercial drivers are still required to carry a copy of their MEC until their state licensing agency confirms it has received the digital record.

What’s Required:

Drivers: Must undergo DOT physicals at least every two years and ensure personal information on MECs is accurate. They must also confirm their medical status with their state licensing agency.

Medical Examiners (Champlain Medical): Must be listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners and adhere to new digital submission requirements within 24 hours of the exam.

State Licensing Agencies (SDLPs): Must electronically receive and verify MECs and update CDL medical certification status in a timely manner to prevent disqualification.

These changes aim to close communication gaps between MEs, drivers, and licensing bodies, ultimately promoting safer roads through tighter oversight of driver medical fitness.

Please contact us for more information about our services.