The NRCME Training Institute Blog

The FMCSA recently reiterated it's policy that there is no specific list of prohibited medications. They didn't list Chantix by name, but that appears to be the medication they are using as an example to indicate that it is ultimately the medical examiner's responsibility to determine if the use of a medication represents an unacceptable safety risk. They also republished the medication use form, an optional form that medical examiners may use to obtain recommendations from medical treatment providers of CMV drivers. Medical examiners are not required to use the FMCSA form, and can create and use their own forms...

Since the DOT/FMCSA NRCME website went offline in November 2017, we have been asked many questions from frustrated medical providers and office administrators as to what happened, when the system will be restored, and what the new certification and reporting process will entail. The FMCSA has been tight-lipped about why the site was taken down and official notifications, which have changed periodically, have been brief and confusing. What we know: Training: Presently, all medical providers wanting to be certified must first complete an accredited training program, such as ours, which will provide the Certificate of Completion required to sit for the...

The FMCSA has hosted a series of webinars focusing on the implementation and use of driver examination forms. The webinars are free and are hosted by FMCSA representative. Contact FMCSA for details. In the webinar on 6/26/17 the following information was discussed. Since the online form on the NRCME site – 5850 – cannot be edited, if driver certification information changes a new online form must be completed. Until June 22, 2018 Medical Examiners are required to provide medically qualified CMV drivers with a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certification form, Form MCSA-5876. As of June 22, 2018, it will...

On June 9th, 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced two proposals that would take steps toward responding to a national shortage of qualified truck and bus drivers. These proposed processes would simplify obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for many individuals and reduce administrative expenses to both the driver applicant and state driver licensing agencies. The FMCSA is seeking public comment on the two Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRM) and the public comment period for both proposals will remain open for 60 days following their formal publication in the Federal Register. For links to more information...