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
New expiration date on the forms is 12/31/2024.
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 11/30/2021.
Previously the expiration date was 09/30/2019.
Previously the expiration date was 08/31/2018.
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 when 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 have driver who had his CPAP machine recalled by phillips and he has not had it replaced. He has been given a 2nd 3 month cert to either get a new machine or repeat his sleep study as it’s 5 years since his last one and he’s lost considerable weight. I am organizing this ASAP. He has been told by a driver manager that he cannot drive as it is not legal in the state of Kentucky to have 2, back to back 3 month medical cards. This is the first I’ve heard of this and can’t find anything online. I thought it was at the discretion of the ME at his DOT whether or not he can drive. We don’t want to break the law but neither do we want to penalize him for something he may not still have. Please can you advise me on this?
@ AJ
3 month medical card for high blood pressure are a one time issue, by DOT/FMCSA. But a 3 month medical card for your drivers situation should be fine, if the examiner is aware of the complete situation and you / he are working to get things back under control.
i had my arm amputated i passed the physical the doctor came back says he needs one more thing done to complete physical its a strength test and he tells me once i have it done i can keep it for life and use it every time i need to renew my physical i have tried every where to get this done every one says they cant do it i need a location in anchorage for me to do this the dump truck i will be driving is push button shift its easy to drive please help me to finish my physical
@ Craig d n
If your medical examiner has requested this test, then he should be able to provide you with a contact to perform the test.
If I am talking heart medication entreso how many years on a medical card
@ Martin
One year at a time.
I am a school bus driver and my employer is stating that is the best practices for the district for drivers to use the district approved vendor. Which ia a chiropractor.
Can I use any chiropractor for my DOT?
@ Char
The chiropractor must be on the national registry. If your chiropractor is on the registry, then you can use them.
I just renewed my dot medical certification, but the doctors form expired on 11/30/2021 can they just reissue the certification or am I required to go through the physical exam again
Since DOT has come out with the new forms that have the 2024 expiration date on them, can you use the 2021 expiration date of the long forms with the new 2024 expiration date on the MEC?
Card expires March, sleep study performed, no chips for Cpap machines
3-4 months behind in production
Grace period for 90 days possible or will I loose cdl
@ Helen P
May be possible if CME understands situation, but don’t count on it as a yes. CDL is state issued, so unlikely you will lose without a valid medical card, if they know what is going on.
My employer asked for the copy of my Medical Card and I wasn’t given one at my exam. I was able to have it faxed in. Aren’t we required to keep the hard copy in our wallets anymore?
@ Denise W
You should have been given a hard copy of your medical certificate and a copy of your long form at the end od the examination. Yes, you should continue to carry a copy of your medical card at all times.
Illinois cdl
holder medical certification expires. Feb 11 22, Heart medical condition. Can’t get clearance letter from doc Do more test’s. Can’t get ahold of anybody from cdl facility, cdl medical card unit facility. Can loose cdl is there any waiver of relief due to pandemic or a extension.
@ Alan
DOT/FMCSA has extended your grace period until the end of February. Hopefully you can get your issues taken care of by then. Your states drivers license department should have a process to protect your cdl until you have a new medical card. No waiver from DOT/FMCSA for your situation.
Husband cannot get to a Dr. to get his renewed Medical Certificate due to knee infection and in rehab due to knee surgery. He has had his CDL for 30 years, will he lose his CDL in the state of Oklahoma, his license does not renew until 2024. Tried calling the Dept. of Public Safety, no answer due to COVID, need to know what do to, last day of the month is Monday, and January is his renew month?
@ Sherri S
He has until the end of February to get his medical card in. And your state has to have some process for consideration in situations like yours. You will need to ask them for guidance through their process.
My DOT medical card is set to expire in less than a month. Went to Workforce to renew my card. I was kicked out because i am not vaccinated for covid and that i refuse to wear a mask. Can they deny me service due to non vaccination and mask refusal? If so, where can i renew my medical card if i refuse to get vaccinated or wear a mask?
@ Brent
See above.
i mean if that’s what there business requires for them to service you yes they can…Better off finding another place that does physicals and dosent require vaccines but you gone have to wear a mask though buddy
Just recently had a DOT physical by local clinic listed on National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. I take blood pressure meds ,so I got my 1 year approval. It was a form MCSA-5876. Now I want to renew my CDL license coming up soon and the TX state DMV website says That I need a Medical Examination Report 649-F. So which form is the Legal, most up to date form ? I have T and X endorsements on my license. Is the 30 question Hazmat the only required exam besides an eye sight ?
Thanks
@ Tom W
649-F is your long form and MCSA-5876 is your medical card. Not sure if Texas really needs a copy of your long form if you have a valid medical card. Check with someone at Texas drivers license department for confirmation.
Does anyone know where I can find Form MCSA-5876 without the signature boxes “X” out? i can find the form 5876 but the signature
boxes are always crossed out.
@ Dawn
https://dotphysicaldoctor.com/new-dot-medical-certification-forms-mcsa-5875-mcsa-5876/
Hello everybody I have a medical certificate form MCSA-5876, this means I can work for fedex and UPS. Thank you! I live Washington state.
@ Dmitriy
Congratulations.
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.