NRCME - FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION - REAL
QUESTIONS + DETAILED ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION - TOP RATED
(2026/2027)
NRCME / FMCSA DOT Physical
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners | Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration
Q1. What does FMCSA stand for?
ANSWER Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Q2. What does NRCME stand for?
ANSWER National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Q3. What federal regulation established the NRCME?
ANSWER 49 CFR Part 390.105 (formerly Part 391.64), implemented
under FMCSA authority from MAP-21.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of the NRCME?
ANSWER To ensure that medical examiners who certify commercial
motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are trained and qualified to do so.
Q5. Who must be listed on the NRCME to perform DOT physicals?
ANSWER Any healthcare provider who performs Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA) physical examinations for CMV drivers.
Q6. What is the governing regulation for CMV driver medical
standards?
ANSWER 49 CFR Part 391, Subpart E — Physical Qualifications and
Examinations.
,Q7. How often must a medical examiner renew their NRCME
certification?
ANSWER Every 5 years, by completing recertification training and
passing the certification test.
Q8. What type of providers are eligible to become NRCME-certified?
ANSWER MDs, DOs, PAs, APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered
Nurses), chiropractors (DCs), and other licensed or certified healthcare
providers authorized to perform physical examinations.
Q9. What is a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC)?
ANSWER Form MCSA-5876, issued to a CMV driver upon passing the
DOT physical, valid for up to 24 months.
Q10. What is the Long Form used for in DOT physicals?
ANSWER Form MCSA-5875 is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration Medical Examination Report (MER), documenting the
history and physical findings of the driver examination.
Q11. What is the maximum certification period for a CMV driver
medical certificate?
ANSWER 24 months (2 years).
Q12. Can a medical examiner certify a driver for less than 24 months?
ANSWER Yes. If a condition warrants monitoring, the ME can certify
for a shorter period such as 3, 6, or 12 months.
Q13. What blood pressure reading qualifies a driver for a full 2-year
certificate?
ANSWER Stage 1: less than 140/90 mmHg.
Q14. At what blood pressure stage is a driver disqualified?
ANSWER Stage 3: 180/110 mmHg or higher — the driver is
immediately disqualified.
Q15. What is Stage 2 hypertension blood pressure range and
certification period?
ANSWER Stage 2: 160–179 systolic or 100–109 diastolic — certified
for one year.
Q16. What vision requirement must CMV drivers meet?
, ANSWER At least 20/40 acuity in each eye (with or without correction)
and at least 70-degree field of vision horizontally in each eye.
Q17. Can a driver with monocular vision (vision in only one eye) be
medically certified?
ANSWER Not under federal standards, unless they hold a federal
vision exemption or a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate.
Q18. What is a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate?
ANSWER A certificate issued by FMCSA allowing drivers with certain
physical impairments (e.g., limb loss or impairment) to operate CMVs if
they demonstrate ability to do so safely.
Q19. What color vision requirement must CMV drivers meet?
ANSWER Drivers must be able to recognize and distinguish among
traffic control signals and devices showing standard red, green, and
amber colors.
Q20. What is the hearing standard for CMV drivers?
ANSWER The driver must perceive a forced whispered voice in the
better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid.
Q21. Can a CMV driver use a hearing aid to meet the hearing
standard?
ANSWER Yes, hearing aids are permitted.
Q22. What is the minimum distant visual acuity for CMV drivers?
ANSWER 20/40 in each eye with or without correction.
Q23. What is the acceptable range for the horizontal field of vision for
CMV drivers?
ANSWER At least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye.
Q24. What medical conditions automatically disqualify a CMV driver?
ANSWER Loss of a foot, leg, hand, or arm; epilepsy; any condition
causing sudden incapacitation; current use of a Schedule I drug;
diabetes requiring insulin (without an exemption); and others per 49
CFR 391.41.
Q25. Is insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) an automatic
disqualification?
, ANSWER Under federal standards, yes — unless the driver holds an
FMCSA Federal Diabetes Exemption.
Q26. What is the Federal Diabetes Exemption program?
ANSWER An FMCSA program allowing insulin-treated diabetic drivers
to operate in interstate commerce if they meet specific medical criteria
and monitoring requirements.
Q27. What is a CMV as defined by FMCSA?
ANSWER A vehicle used in commerce weighing over 10,001 lbs
GVWR, designed to transport 16+ passengers (including driver), or
transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.
Q28. What is the difference between intrastate and interstate CMV
drivers?
ANSWER Interstate drivers cross state lines and must meet federal
FMCSA standards. Intrastate drivers operate only within a state and
may be subject to state-specific, sometimes different, standards.
Q29. Which federal standard applies to interstate CMV drivers?
ANSWER 49 CFR Part 391, Subpart E.
Q30. What does the medical examiner upload to FMCSA after
completing a DOT physical?
ANSWER The Medical Examination Results form (MCSA-5850) within
24 business days of the examination.
Section 2: Cardiovascular Standards
Q31. What is the FMCSA Medical Registry portal?
ANSWER The online system at nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov used by
certified medical examiners to report examination results and manage
their registration.
Q32. What cardiovascular condition is an absolute disqualification for
CMV drivers?
ANSWER Current diagnosis of myocardial infarction with symptoms or
on treatment is disqualifying unless the driver is stable and meets
standards; a history alone does not automatically disqualify.
QUESTIONS + DETAILED ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION - TOP RATED
(2026/2027)
NRCME / FMCSA DOT Physical
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners | Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration
Q1. What does FMCSA stand for?
ANSWER Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Q2. What does NRCME stand for?
ANSWER National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Q3. What federal regulation established the NRCME?
ANSWER 49 CFR Part 390.105 (formerly Part 391.64), implemented
under FMCSA authority from MAP-21.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of the NRCME?
ANSWER To ensure that medical examiners who certify commercial
motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are trained and qualified to do so.
Q5. Who must be listed on the NRCME to perform DOT physicals?
ANSWER Any healthcare provider who performs Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA) physical examinations for CMV drivers.
Q6. What is the governing regulation for CMV driver medical
standards?
ANSWER 49 CFR Part 391, Subpart E — Physical Qualifications and
Examinations.
,Q7. How often must a medical examiner renew their NRCME
certification?
ANSWER Every 5 years, by completing recertification training and
passing the certification test.
Q8. What type of providers are eligible to become NRCME-certified?
ANSWER MDs, DOs, PAs, APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered
Nurses), chiropractors (DCs), and other licensed or certified healthcare
providers authorized to perform physical examinations.
Q9. What is a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC)?
ANSWER Form MCSA-5876, issued to a CMV driver upon passing the
DOT physical, valid for up to 24 months.
Q10. What is the Long Form used for in DOT physicals?
ANSWER Form MCSA-5875 is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration Medical Examination Report (MER), documenting the
history and physical findings of the driver examination.
Q11. What is the maximum certification period for a CMV driver
medical certificate?
ANSWER 24 months (2 years).
Q12. Can a medical examiner certify a driver for less than 24 months?
ANSWER Yes. If a condition warrants monitoring, the ME can certify
for a shorter period such as 3, 6, or 12 months.
Q13. What blood pressure reading qualifies a driver for a full 2-year
certificate?
ANSWER Stage 1: less than 140/90 mmHg.
Q14. At what blood pressure stage is a driver disqualified?
ANSWER Stage 3: 180/110 mmHg or higher — the driver is
immediately disqualified.
Q15. What is Stage 2 hypertension blood pressure range and
certification period?
ANSWER Stage 2: 160–179 systolic or 100–109 diastolic — certified
for one year.
Q16. What vision requirement must CMV drivers meet?
, ANSWER At least 20/40 acuity in each eye (with or without correction)
and at least 70-degree field of vision horizontally in each eye.
Q17. Can a driver with monocular vision (vision in only one eye) be
medically certified?
ANSWER Not under federal standards, unless they hold a federal
vision exemption or a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate.
Q18. What is a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate?
ANSWER A certificate issued by FMCSA allowing drivers with certain
physical impairments (e.g., limb loss or impairment) to operate CMVs if
they demonstrate ability to do so safely.
Q19. What color vision requirement must CMV drivers meet?
ANSWER Drivers must be able to recognize and distinguish among
traffic control signals and devices showing standard red, green, and
amber colors.
Q20. What is the hearing standard for CMV drivers?
ANSWER The driver must perceive a forced whispered voice in the
better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid.
Q21. Can a CMV driver use a hearing aid to meet the hearing
standard?
ANSWER Yes, hearing aids are permitted.
Q22. What is the minimum distant visual acuity for CMV drivers?
ANSWER 20/40 in each eye with or without correction.
Q23. What is the acceptable range for the horizontal field of vision for
CMV drivers?
ANSWER At least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye.
Q24. What medical conditions automatically disqualify a CMV driver?
ANSWER Loss of a foot, leg, hand, or arm; epilepsy; any condition
causing sudden incapacitation; current use of a Schedule I drug;
diabetes requiring insulin (without an exemption); and others per 49
CFR 391.41.
Q25. Is insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) an automatic
disqualification?
, ANSWER Under federal standards, yes — unless the driver holds an
FMCSA Federal Diabetes Exemption.
Q26. What is the Federal Diabetes Exemption program?
ANSWER An FMCSA program allowing insulin-treated diabetic drivers
to operate in interstate commerce if they meet specific medical criteria
and monitoring requirements.
Q27. What is a CMV as defined by FMCSA?
ANSWER A vehicle used in commerce weighing over 10,001 lbs
GVWR, designed to transport 16+ passengers (including driver), or
transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.
Q28. What is the difference between intrastate and interstate CMV
drivers?
ANSWER Interstate drivers cross state lines and must meet federal
FMCSA standards. Intrastate drivers operate only within a state and
may be subject to state-specific, sometimes different, standards.
Q29. Which federal standard applies to interstate CMV drivers?
ANSWER 49 CFR Part 391, Subpart E.
Q30. What does the medical examiner upload to FMCSA after
completing a DOT physical?
ANSWER The Medical Examination Results form (MCSA-5850) within
24 business days of the examination.
Section 2: Cardiovascular Standards
Q31. What is the FMCSA Medical Registry portal?
ANSWER The online system at nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov used by
certified medical examiners to report examination results and manage
their registration.
Q32. What cardiovascular condition is an absolute disqualification for
CMV drivers?
ANSWER Current diagnosis of myocardial infarction with symptoms or
on treatment is disqualifying unless the driver is stable and meets
standards; a history alone does not automatically disqualify.
