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Step-By-Step Guide

DOT Medical Examiner Certification

Becoming a certified medical examiner can be challenging. Check out our guide to help you navigate the process with ease!

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We understand that navigating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements and regulations can feel overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a breakdown to guide you through each step. Whether you're just getting started or need clarification along the way, we hope this guide will help make the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiner (NRCME) certification process as smooth and straightforward as possible.
Step-by-Step Process:
Step 1: Complete Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Required Training
  • You must complete a training course from an accredited provider.

  • Courses are widely available online or in person, typically lasting between 8-12 hours.

  • We recommend Master Clinicians DOT Certification, an online 10-hour course that includes:

    • 10 hours of CME credits

    • A question bank with 350 questions to assist in exam preparation

    • Pricing: $199 per person (Group rates available)

    • Trusted by hundreds of providers with a pass rate exceeding 90%

  • For more details, visit DOT Medical Examiner Certification

  • Upon completion, you'll receive a training completion certificate and 10 CME credits.

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Step 2: Register with the FMCSA National Registry
  • Before scheduling your certification exam, you must register online with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) through their National Registry website:

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  • Enter all your personal, license, and practice information including listing your training course provider on the training section during registration. 

  • After registering, you'll receive an Enrollment Number (also known as the National Registry Number or NRCME ID).

  • Make sure you upload proof of training (training certificate/CME certificate into your National Registry profile once you’ve complete registration process. 

What is this Enrollment Number?

  • This is your unique identifier assigned by FMCSA. You must have this number to schedule your certification exam.

Step 3: Schedule and Pass the Certification Exam
  • After completing your training and registering, schedule your exam at an FMCSA-approved testing center, commonly administered by Prometric or PSI Exams.

  • The exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test:

120 Questions

2 Hour Time Limit

Passing Score: Minimum of 71%

Testing Centers - Schedule your exam via Prometric or PSI Exams.

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Step 4: After Passing the Exam
  • After you've passed the exam, your medical license will be validated. 

  • Once your medical license has been validated and FMCSA determines that you may be certified:

    • FMCSA will email you a certificate stating that you are officially certified and authorized to conduct physical qualification examinations of interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers.

    • You'll be listed on the FMCSA’s National Registry as a Certified Medical Examiner (CME).

    • You can now perform DOT physicals and issue medical certificates to patients.

Step 5: Maintain Certification
  • To maintain your FMCSA credentials, you must be licensed, certified, and/or registered, in accordance with applicable State laws and regulations to perform physical examinations in each state in which examinations are performed.

  • Complete periodic training as specified by FMCSA every 5 years, and pass the FMCSA Medical Examiner Certification Test every 10 years.

    • Upon successful recertification, FMCSA will issue a new FMCSA medical examiner certification credential with a new expiration date. You will maintain the National Registry Number assigned to you at your initial certification as long as you remain an FMCSA certified medical examiner.

Summary of Required Steps
  1. Complete NRCME training (Master Clinicians is highly recommended).

  2. Register with the FMCSA National Registry and obtain your Enrollment Number.

  3. Pass the NRCME certification exam.

  4. Begin performing DOT physical exams.

 

No physician, physician assistant (PA), nurse practitioner (NP), or chiropractor can legally perform DOT physical exams without completing these steps.

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