The Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination is a mandated health assessment for individuals who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This requirement is enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure that drivers are physically capable of safely handling the demands of their job. The singular purpose of the DOT physical is to determine a driver’s fitness for duty, directly supporting public highway safety. Drivers must successfully pass this examination to receive a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, which is necessary to maintain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
The Authorized Medical Professionals
The authority to conduct a DOT physical is limited to specific categories of licensed healthcare providers. These professionals are defined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as medical examiners. Eligible professionals include Medical Doctors (MD) and Doctors of Osteopathy (DO).
The list of eligible examiners also extends to mid-level providers, such as Physician Assistants (PA) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), who are authorized to perform physical examinations under state law. Furthermore, Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) are also permitted to perform the examination, provided their state license includes the authority to conduct physical exams. While a provider may hold one of these professional licenses, that credential alone is insufficient to legally perform a DOT physical.
Mandatory Federal Certification Requirements
A licensed medical professional must obtain a specific federal certification to legally conduct the DOT physical. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration established the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) to standardize this process and ensure examiners understand the unique regulatory standards for CMV drivers. The NRCME mandates that eligible professionals complete specialized training focused on the FMCSA’s physical qualification standards.
After completing the required training, the candidate must register on the NRCME website and then pass a standardized certification test. This examination verifies the examiner’s understanding of the federal regulations outlined in 49 CFR Part 390 and 391, which govern commercial driving. Once certified and listed on the NRCME, the medical examiner is authorized to issue the Medical Examiner’s Certificate to qualified drivers.
To maintain their certification, medical examiners must engage in continuing education and periodic re-evaluation. They are required to complete refresher training material every five years to stay current with any updates to the FMCSA’s medical standards. Furthermore, the examiner must successfully pass the recertification test every ten years.
Finding a Qualified Medical Examiner
Commercial drivers must ensure their examination is performed by an actively certified medical examiner listed on the NRCME to keep their medical card valid. The most practical way to locate and verify a qualified examiner is by using the official NRCME public website maintained by the FMCSA. This online database allows users to search for certified providers by location, including zip code or city and state.
The registry provides the examiner’s name, their unique certification number, and the expiration date of their certification. Drivers should always confirm the expiration date is current to ensure the medical certificate they receive will be considered valid by federal and state authorities. Many occupational health clinics and urgent care centers employ these certified examiners, making them common locations for the required physical.