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CERTIFICATION
Medical certification for those driving a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce is required at least once every two years.
School bus drivers typically are required to have an examination annually based on State Law.
You must have an examination only from a provider listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. This can vary based on State law for intrastate drivers and school bus drivers. Check your State law relating to intrastate examination requirements.
Your medical certification may be shortened based on your current state of health, if you suffer from a medical condition regulated by the FMCSA, or if the medical examiner feels there should be more frequent monitoring of your health.
For interstate examinations, there are no follow-up examinations allowed and no temporary certifications will be issued. The medical examiner may use determination pending at the time of examination should more information be required prior to certification. Under this decision, a new card cannot be issued until all information is received and reviewed. You will only have 45 days to provide this needed information to the examiner. If you have any time left on your current certification card, you may drive using that medical card.
For any other decision, such as providing a 3 month card because you have high blood pressure during your examination for example, you will be required to have a new examination, even if your blood pressure is better in a few days. Only 1 card can now be issued for any determination decision by the examiner, and the form cannot be amended (unless the examiner uses determination pending).
Regulations and Guidance – Certification Periods:
- The following certification periods are defined by guidelines and regulations.
- Benign history, negative or normal exam – 2 years
- Diabetes – non-insulin dependent – 1 year. See required medical clearance, required medical testing sections.
- Diabetes – with insulin (diabetic) exemption or waiver – 1 year. See section on waivers and exemptions.
- Hearing exemption – 1 year. See Regulations and Guidance, 49 CFR 391.41 (b)(11) for specific hearing requirements.
- Epilepsy/seizure exemption – 1 year
- Other endocrine disorders (Thyroid, Adrenal, Pituitary problems) – 2 years
- Mental disorders (anxiety, depression and others) – if able to certify (See disqualifying conditions, medications and waiting periods), maximum 1 year during treatment.
- Any driver with a vision exemption – Certified for 1 year only. See sections on Regulations and Guidance, 49 CFR 391.41 (b)(10) for specific hearing requirements, and the sections on waivers and exemptions for more information.
- Blood Pressure – Anyone who has a history of Hypertension (treated with medication, diet or weight loss and exercise), and their blood pressure is below 140/90 at the time of the examination, may be granted a 1 year certificate unless they have a history of Stage 3 Hypertension. The maximum certification period for a driver with a history of Stage 3 hypertension is for 6 months only.
- Stages of Hypertension
- Stage 1: 140-159/90-99
- Stage 2: 160-179/100-109
- Stage 3: 180 or greater/110 or greater
- Stages of Hypertension
- All certifiable cardiovascular conditions (Ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies and congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias including pace makers, congenital heart problems, peripheral vascular disease, including intermittent claudication that is asymptomatic at rest, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and pulmonary embolism, AAA (Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm), and those drivers with multiple coronary heart disease risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) are certified for 1 year. See waiting periods, required medical clearance, required medical testing and disqualifying medical conditions for more information.
- Drivers who have had a Heart transplant are certified for 6 months only.
- Respiratory conditions are less regulated. For most you will be able to certify the driver for a period of 2 years. This includes infectious disease, non-infectious disease, allergies, post pneumonectomy/lung resection, trachestomy, primary and secondary lung carcinoma, pulmonary Htn/Cor Pulmonally, lung transplants, all will be certifiable for 2 years.
- For Sleep Apnea, Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary thromboembolism, only certify for 1 year. See sections on required medical clearance, and required medical testing for more information on Sleep Apnea.
- All certifiable abdominal conditions, GU, GI, hematologic disorders, neoplastic disorders, and hernias may be certified for 2 years.
- Orthopedic/neurologic conditions that are certifiable may be certified for 2 years. Exceptions include:
- History of Embolic/Thrombotic Stroke who can certify – 1 year.
- History of Intracerebral and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage who can certify – 1 year.
- History of TIA who can certify – 1 year.
- History of mild or moderate who can certify – 1 year.
- Acute seizures – structural insult to brain who can certify – 1 year.
There are a significant number of neurologic conditions that will disqualify the driver, or may have waiting periods, or required medical clearance. Refer to those sections for this information. Medications may also be problematic. Refer those sections for further information
Obtain a medical clearance letter specific to your condition or treatment. Go to the Pass My Physical Q&A to find out what is needed before you go.
Continue to what conditions require medical clearance.
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