FMCSA punts medical certification reg deadline, again

The FMCSA is hitting pause once again, extending a waiver to help states stay on track with the latest federal medical certification regulations for truck drivers.

In June, the agency announced plans to enforce new requirements under the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration rule. The rule requires medical examiners to electronically submit drivers’ physical exam results to the FMCSA and state licensing agencies within 24 hours. It also removes the requirement for drivers to carry a paper copy of their medical certification card.

By July, all but 12 states had implemented the new regulations.

So, the agency issued a waiver allowing CDL holders to continue using a paper copy of their medical examiner’s certificate as proof of medical certification for up to 15 days after it was issued.

According to FMCSA, the waiver was provided so that “drivers with valid medical certification and their employers are not negatively impacted for delays outside of their control” as states continued to transition to the new rule. That waiver expired Oct. 12.

Over one month after the original waiver was issued, the same 12 states remained noncompliant with the new regulations, prompting the agency to issue a modified waiver that would allow drivers to use a paper copy of their certificate for up to 60 days after their exam. While the modified version bought drivers an additional 45 days, the waiver expiration date did not change.

Some states remain noncompliant with the new regulations. Both Iowa and Wyoming have since come into compliance. That leaves 10 states – Alaska, California, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Vermont – noncompliant.

That prompted FMCSA to issue another waiver allowing drivers to continue using a paper copy of the medical card for up to 60 days after the exam.

The new waiver went into effect on Oct. 13 and will expire on Jan. 10, 2026.

Truckers needing a DOT physical and their primary care physician does not do them, the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners home page has a section to search for a provider. LL