Medical Qualification Requirements

This request for a non-substantive change to this ICR updates the expiration dates to the five collection instruments associated with this ICR. The information collection requirements are mandatory and apply to drivers, motor carriers, MEs, ME applicant testing organizations, and TCs. IC-1: Physical Qualification Standards; MEs must provide driver medical exam information for drivers they examine on medical forms and in the National Registry. The ME can determine if the driver is medically qualified. The ME must complete and furnish the original paper MEC to the driver. The driver must complete driver health history portion of the MER Form at least every 2 years. The motor carrier must file a MEC in DQ record. IC-2: Resolution of Medical Conflict; The medical conflict application provision provides a mechanism for drivers and motor carriers to request FMCSA to make a final decision to resolve conflicting medical evaluations when either party does not accept the decision of a medical specialist. FMCSA uses the information to determine if the driver should or should not be qualified. Motor carriers are required to submit an application to FMCSA for resolution (up to 3 cases a year) and attend a hearing (1 per year) if FMCSA deems necessary. IC-3: Medical Exemptions; FMCSA may grant a vision, hearing, or seizure exemption from a physical qualification standard. The driver is to complete an application for new exemption and exemption renewal every 2 years and the motor carrier is to copy and file the exemption in the DQ file. IC4: Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate; The SPE Certificate program requires drivers to complete an application for the new SPE certificate, complete an application for SPE certificate renewal every 2 years, provide a copy of the MER Form and MEC to FMCSA, and for motor carriers to copy and file the SPE Certificate in the DQ record. IC-5: National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners; MEs are required to provide contact and employment data when registering to become a certified ME. This data is used to provide the public with contact information for those medical professionals who are certified by FMCSA to conduct interstate CMV driver medical exams. MEs are required to submit the results of each CMV driver medical exam they complete daily, copies of MER forms, and MECs via the National Registry. IC-6: Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Final Rule; Beginning on June 23, 2025, MEs will no longer be required to complete and furnish the original written MEC to qualified drivers when the driver is a CDL/CLP holder. This information will be electronically transmitted to the SDLA. Employers will no longer need to request a copy of the handwritten MEC for CDL/CLP holders. In addition, employers will no longer be required to verify the ME’s National Registry number for MECs issued to CDL/CLP holders because only MEs listed on the National Registry will be able to forward MEC information to the National Registry. IC-7: Qualifications of Drivers; Diabetes Standard; An individual with ITDM is able to obtain an MEC from an ME for up to a maximum of 12 months if the TC, the healthcare professional who manages, and prescribes insulin for the treatment of the individual’s diabetes, attests to the ME the individual maintains a stable insulin regimen and proper control of diabetes, and the ME determines the individual meets FMCSA’s physical qualification standards. The information provided by the TC enables the ME to make a qualification determination based on whether the driver meets all the physical qualification requirements.

The latest form for Medical Qualification Requirements expires 2028-03-31 and can be found here.

IC1 - FMCSA Physical Qualification Standards

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Transportation - Ground Transportation