This article has been updated a number of times as new information regarding Medical Examiner’s Certification has been published by FMCSA.
We have left the history of this blog post, and updated the latest information at the top of the page.
Medical Certification Forms MCSA-5875 & MCSA-5876
FMCSA update on 10/04/2018.
New expiration date on the forms is 09/30/2019.
PDF Versions of the forms are available at these links on the FMCSA website:
- Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875
- Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876
The date found on the top right corner of the Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875 and Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA-5876, is the date of expiration for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved information collection 2126-0006, that includes the Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875 and Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA-5876
Previously the expiration date was 08/31/2018. Forms with this expiration date are valid with State Driver’s Licensing Agencies only up to and including 10/04/2018.
New forms with the expiration date 09/30/2019 must be used after 10/04/2018.
Expiration Date on Driver Examination Forms
Information from NRCME Support:
The current forms posted on the FMCSA website are scheduled to expire on August 31, 2018. However, FMCSA has submitted the information collection renewal request for approval. Since the information collection renewal request has been submitted, we have approval to continue use of the forms that are currently posted on the FMCSA website until we receive notification from OMB. Once the information collection renewal has been approved, new versions of the Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875 and Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA-5876 will be posted on the FMCSA website indicating that the collection has been renewed.
What does this mean to Medical Examiners and Drivers?
- Continue using the forms with the expiration date of August 31st, (Form MCSA-5875 & Form MCSA-5876) until FMCSA publishes new forms.
DOTPhysicalDOCTORS will update this website once new forms are available.
Extension of Compliance Dates for the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Final Rule — see FMCSA official website explanation.
The interim final rule has been extended through June 21, 2021.
What does this mean to Drivers and Medical Examiners?
- Continue using the original paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA-5876 for all qualified drivers including Commercial Learner’s Permit/Commercial Driver’s License applicants/holders.
- Continue submitting paper copies of Medical Examiner’s Certificates, Form MCSA-5876 to State Driver’s Licensing Agencies.
The Physical Qualifications Have Not Changed
The physical qualifications (FMCSA regulations and guidelines) to be applied by a medical examiner to qualify drivers for a medical card have not changed, even though the forms have changed since 2015.
The differences you’ll notice:
- The forms ask for more information than the previous forms, used before the changes in 2015.
- Medical examiners are being required to submit more information to support their qualifying decisions, especially where medical conditions exist. This means medical examiners are being more thorough than some used to be, regarding existing medical conditions.
What this means for drivers:
- Be well prepared before you get to your DOT physical appointment.
- Choose your medical examiner wisely!
- Find a DOT physical doctor who understands the big picture of commercial driving, and the lifestyle challenges you face.
- You want to be evaluated by an medical examiner who considers your overall health condition and fitness to drive.
- Just going to any examiner who may disqualify you on a checklist item on the form, may cost you lost time, lost money, or even your job.
Wiser Is Better.
Choose Your DOT Physical Doctor Wisely!
I am looking for information on how many med certs a driver may get that are of 90 days or less in duration. I thought you could get one 90 day card and that’s it, but I just saw a 2 week card issued after the previous 90 day card expired. What is the official rule and where can I find it?
@ Shawn
We don’t know the overriding circumstances for such a card. Usually one 90 day card to gets things worked out or corrected. None after that until you can pass the cert examination.
Came out of retirement to drive again after a few years. Got physical for two years. Need to know which copy of the new form to keep on my person. Was given a paper form that is attached to a manila carbon copy.Thank you
@ Bill S
Keep the copy with you and keep the originals safe somewhere.
How high can A1C be to pass physical in the state of Texas?
@ Henry
You would need to check with the Texas DLD for the answer.
I thought it was 10.0 nationwide but I could be wrong. That’s what I’m going by.
The link to the update does not work. When I look at FMCSA’s website, I don’t see where it says to continue using the same forms. Just that the electronic submission of data has been postponed.
Where is the info that states to continue using the same form?
I am an administrator for several CME’s who perform DOT PE’s. I received an email today from NRCMEsupport@dot.gov stating we can NOT use the old forms after today, Oct 4, 2018. You can go to https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/medical-applications-and-forms to get the new forms.
@Kelley
Thank you for adding this information.
All CMEs should have received an email from NRCMEsupport on Oct 4.
The new forms are available in the links at the top of this page.
We hope this helps drivers too!
Question. Will DOT contact a former employer to have you do a DOT physical.
After they fired you.. even if your dot physical is still good for almost 12 months
@ Jenny I
it is highly unlikely.
I work at a doctor’s office and we are trying to find the new MCSA 5876 and 5875 forms since these state the expiration date is 8/31/2018, do you know where we can find them?
I am a doctors office and trying to find the updated MCSA forms 5875 and 5876 since the current ones expired on 08/31/18. Where can I find them?
I have a class A license in Massachusetts, however I no longer drive trucks and don’t plan to drive them in the future for an employer or pay.
I’d like to keep the license just to have it, for when I’m asked to move Class A vehicles for people
as a favor.
Do I still have to get a medical card every 2 yrs ?
@ Ian A
Most states are requiring a valid medical card to maintain a valid class A license. We would suggest you ask the same question in your local drivers license department.
Can you have a difibralator and still drive with CDL
@ Jacque
Not a class A cld, but maybe intra-state only or a lower class license. Depends on which state you are operating out of. Check with your local drivers license department for the states guidelines.
I am trying to apply for a job and they are saying my medical card has not been updated. Who can I call to get this resolved?
@ efren m c
Your local drivers license department.
I don’t know if this is a common occurrence or not, but I am working in WV but have a SC license. My med card is due to expire in April. I do not plan on being in SC prior to my med card expiring but if I have to I can. Since the CDL is a 50 state license now, can I get an exam by any doc in any state?
@ Sharon
Any CME in any state is qualified to do your medical certification examination.
However after getting your DOT Physical in WV you will still need to send it to the state that issued you your CDL (SC) or the issuing state can and will medically suspend your CDL.
Your medical can be done by any dot certified medical exiner just remember if you have medical issues, do you have the medical releases and documentation for a strange doc.
Iam type 2 diabetic not on insulin only on a eppy pen why cant i get a 2 yr card.
@Dennis
You can only get a 2 year card if you have no medical conditions. Any medical condition e.g. diabetes, will need to be monitored, so you will get a one year card, or less, depending on the severity and necessity to monitor a condition.
There is no longer a block for ‘Intrastate Only’ on the certificate. Is that no longer required?
@Earl
“Intrastate Only” is located on the State medical certificate not the Federal medical certificate. So use the State certificate for “Intrastate Only”.
Can you use either certificate? And what are the differences?
There is confusion on the new forms on what date is to be put in the Medical examiners certificate expiration date area. Is the examiner’s expiration on their registry or is the expiration of the driver’s card?
@Rhonda
There are 2 dates – 1. the date of the medical examination 2. the date that the card expires for the driver based on the length of card the examiner is issuing.
If you answer yes to the question, Have you ever failed a drug test or been dependent on
an illegal substance? However you only failed a drug test 12 years ago and attended a drug program to get return to duty status and you have never been dependent on an illegal substance can this cause you to not get certified and cause you to loss your CDL license?
@Susanne
We don’t believe so.
With the new forms when someone is disqualified for blood pressure and told to return after seeing provider do they have to have new physical form or can you ad to physical form and put date of determination as date blood pressure stable and date of expiration one year .
@Michelle
If you are disqualified then it’s a complete new physical when you go back.
I also failed because of elevated blood pressure. My doctor prescribed medication and I was told to come back in a month for a recheck. Keep in mind that I had been seeing this physician for many years and she was familiar with my health history. After listening to my heart and measuring my blood pressure in both arms, she issued me a two year certification. She did not perform a complete physical on me.
I think I should clarify something. When I said my blood pressure was elevated, it was above the 140/90 standard. I wasn’t watching my weight and not exercising enough so now I have to take the medication. I learned my lesson. I hope to get off of this stuff as soon as possible, but only if the doctor approves. I’m going to get a blood pressure monitor and see how I do. I read recently that the new blood pressure standard for the general public is 130/80. I suppose in time this will be the number drivers will have to meet.
@ Nancy K
Someone is in error here.
I live in Florida I have a current Fl cdl and current medical examiner card .i was told regardless if I am driving my personal 4 wheel vehicle or my motorcycle I still need to carry my medical card with me is this true??
What is the age that your physical is not good for two years?
@Edward
Qualification is based on medical fitness for duty – not an age restriction.
Im 69 & i was told i could only get the certification for 1 year since im over 65? Two years ago i was certified for two years at age 67? I was just wondering if the law was changed?
@Edward
There is no law related to age. It is up to the CME to certify for two years based on medical fitness, to restrict to a shorter period based on medical conditions that need monitoring, or to disqualify on medical issues that don’t meet medical fitness regulations.
According to this sight there are no locations in Austin, Tx to go for the physical for Self Certification. I know this can not be correct. Please see to it that all the various sites concerning elf certification and other required physicals coordinate / share their information and that there is at least one human being available 24 / 7 to answer questions and provide up to date information about the services required! For drivers working or sleeping, finding the time for this search can be difficult and infuriating. I have been trying to make an appointment for my husband and to confirm that a Dr. certified to do these physicals will be available…on a Sunday…the only day my husband is off…for almost a week. In addition, there has been no mention of the new forms on the reminder letters from TDPS!? This site is the first place I have seen them mentioned.
I just renewed my medical certification, but a wallet card was not given to me, I live in Florida and the Dr where I got my certification done told me “Now I need to carry the whole paper with me instead of the wallet card” Is this correct, or they are just lazy?
@Luis
That is correct. The new forms cannot be reduced to a wallet size card.
Some offices may reduce to a tri-fold, but no office is obliged to do this for you.
Why? And, why aren’t these exams covered on anyone’s insurance…especially considering that they are “required”? And, considering that they are an out of pocket and unreimbursed expense and more expensive every year, why aren’t the offices obliged to provide both a pocket sized and trip fold copy?
@Chris
Maybe if you keep reading you’ll see that the size is enforced by FMCSA.
Forgive me…reading…what…where? What size is “enforced” and WHY? I just want to encourage better coordination between all the “powers that be” to protect drivers and everyone on the road! Fortunately, my husband has me…however grudgingly…to try to take care of making sure he is able to comply…so he can sleep. It should not be so time consuming or frustrating.
FYI…for example…in Austin, TX there are Minute Clinics that supposedly offer DOT physicals. They are supposedly open 7 days a week, but they don’t answer the phone…so far…and their web site does not provide a way to confirm whether or not there are DOT certified Drs available during all working hours. Have all DOT certified Drs been made aware of the most recent form changes that went into affect in 2016?
@Chris
This is a private website, not affiliated with any federal or state agency.
The DOT doctors here do our best to answer drivers with medical questions to help them get through the medical requirements to get their medical card. We have been doing this for years, for FREE, as service to drivers.
As far as why FMCSA decides on what regulations, how the different states keep moving their goalposts as far as self-certification processes, timelines and processes for states to update their records, state variances for medical exceptions, insurance, disability qualifications, what employers should do or pay for, and who to sue for what ????? We can’t answer!
No, I think he meant the 8×11 page I got both from the center I went to by friends of mine have just got the piece of paper
Trucker docs,
Thank you! I appreciate your response. Is there a specific site you would recommend I try? Although I am more qualified than hubby to search for direction online…I was under the impression that this was an fmcsa site.
I am grateful for your service.
Is there a specific site for obtaining accurate and up to date info for the Texas DOT Self certification process?
No thoughts of suing anyone!? Just wanting to insure that my husband is able to keep his license and job. Thank you for your help. Just got excited that there was a human out there that seemed to have some answers.
Chris aka Yaya out!
My medical expires on the 30th of this month and i can’t get to a do till after july 6th is this going make my cdl invalid? Also im no longer driving can i keep my cdl without a medical card?
NO, IT WILL BE DOWN GRADED WITH AN EXPIRED MD CARD.
I want to obtain my CDL in Louisiana, what means of drug testing are used here?
@Mark
No drug testing for the DOT physical exam itself, (urinalysis to look for proper kidney function), but you will be drug tested to get hired.
If you are using drugs, don’t go into driving, it’s unsafe for everyone… and you will be randomly drug tested.
Where or how are the New DOT forms submitted?
@Lydia
The CME updates the results online to the FMCSA National Registry.
The driver is still responsible to update the medical certificate with their state/local drivers license department. This update process differs from state to state.
Why do different states have different laws? What types of differences are there? Now that it looks like I am not going to get to my own list of to dos any time soon…I am just curious and might as well ask while I wait. Can anyone one this site recommend a site that is kept up to date and provides phone numbers to call when someone needs an answer…now?
Who is authorized to correct this sites misinformation or add missing information concerning available and qualified providers in and around Austin, TX and in Texas in general? The majority of guys I know would have blown off looking after the first 2 or 3 or 5 sites.
The clinic tx med clinics does dot physicals in Austin tx you have to call to see what days someone will be there . The days and time varies from location to location.