NRCME Training Online Program

Frequently Asked Questions

The NRCME Training Institute FAQ page is your comprehensive resource for answers to commonly asked questions about the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) training and certification process. Here, we aim to provide clarity and guidance on various aspects of the NRCME, ensuring that you have all the necessary information to navigate this important certification program with confidence. However, we understand that you may have specific queries or concerns that are not covered in our FAQ section. We encourage you to reach out to us with any additional questions you may have, and our knowledgeable team will be more than happy to assist you. Your success as a certified Medical Examiner is our top priority, please do not hesitate to ask any questions not addressed below.

Collapsible content

Who is eligible to become a certified Medical Examiner?

Our DOT training program is for the initial NRCME training and for the 10-year NRCME recertification training for Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA). Our program exceeds the core curriculum requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Additional medical provider eligibility varies from state to state:

  • Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is eligible in all states except for Michigan, New York, and Washington.
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is eligible in Arkansas, Louisiana, and North Dakota.
  • Naturopathic Doctor (ND) is eligible in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
  • Doctor of Oriental Medicine (OMD/DOM) is eligible in New Mexico.
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is eligible in Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas.
  • Registered Nurse (RN) is eligible in Colorado.
  • Physical Therapist (PT) is eligible in Arkansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, and Texas.
  • Acupuncturist (LAc) is eligible in Florida.

Verify eligibility by medical title and State.

Are there CME or contact hours awarded for completing this program?

Yes, this program is approved for up to 14 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ or 14 ANCC contact hours. This program is accredited through the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and you can read more about the CME credits offered for this program on our CME page.

Are there any discounts for providers or groups?

To enroll 2 or more providers at the same time at the group rate of $250 per provider, use the discount code 250grouprate during checkout.

For more information on group enrollments for office administrators, please see our Administrators page. Please call us at (941) 600-8411 for military or current single-provider discounts.

Is the national certification examination included in this program?

The DOT/FMCSA requires that the Medical Examiner training program and the national certification examination be provided by separate organizations to avoid any conflict of interest. Testing Options: PSI or Prometric?

What does it take to complete the NRCME Training Institute program?

Participants will read 14 courses, take 9 quizzes, and complete a 50 question Final Test at the end of the program to demonstrate mastery of the materials, which can be taken as often as necessary, and then print their personalized and dated Certificate of Completion, which is the document required to complete the online DOT account application and is the same document required to take the national certification examination in person. This program will take approximately 14 self-paced hours to complete, depending on prior knowledge and experience, and participants have unlimited 2-year access to the classroom to go over the material as often as necessary.

What is included in the NRCME Training Institute program?

Our updated training program includes 2 years of unlimited access to our online classroom, access to over 400 exam practice questions, a Pre-test Review, and a Study and Reference Guide, all in PDF file format, available to download for offline review, searching, copying and printing once the base program has been completed. Enrolled providers receive 9 am - 9 pm EST 7/365 customer service and medical consultation support by email, telephone, or online chat. There are no printed books that accompany our program, allowing us to provide participants with a low-cost, high-quality training program.

How long is NRCME certification good for?

Certified Medical Examiners are certified for 10 years and must recertify in 10 years the same way they took the initial training and testing. Read our blog on NRCME 10-Year Recertification

I am approaching my 10-year recertification date, what do I do?

Providers that have been certified and listed on the National Registry are required to be recertified no sooner than 9 years and no later than 10 years after the date of issuance of your Medical Examiner certification credential. Recertification requires that you again complete a qualified training program, such as ours, and again take and pass the NRCME certification examination. Once you again pass the NRCME certification examination the FMCSA will issue a new Medical Examiner certification credential - including a new National Registry number - which will again be valid for 10 years.

Enroll in our accredited training program today to begin your recertification.

What does the national exam consist of, what is required for passing, and what if I don’t pass?

The national certification examination consists of 120 questions taken over 2 hours. A score of 71% is required to pass. Participants will receive instant notification of pass or fail. Medical providers who do not pass their NRCME national exam no longer have to wait 30 days to reschedule. This applies to both initial certification and 10-year recertification. As soon as the FMCSA receives the failing notice from the testing company, they will update the provider's FMCSA account, a process that may take up to 7 days. Once the update is complete, the provider can promptly reschedule their next exam. For more information, please contact the FMCSA directly at FMCTECHSUP@dot.gov or by phone at (617) 494-3003. About the NRCME Exam.

How do I create an account with the DOT?

Effective 6/22/2018, all Medical Examiners listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) must create an account with login.gov to access their National Registry account. If you do not already have a login.gov account, you must create a login.gov account to access to your National Registry account.

How do I upload my training Certificate of Completion to my DOT account?

Watch an FMCSA video tutorial titled Certified Medical Examiner Uploading and Managing Documents

What will certified Medical Examiners be required to do after they are added to the National Registry?

As of May 21, 2014, certified Medical Examiners are required to electronically report driver medical examination information directly to the NRCME via their DOT account. This may be reported by the Medical Examiner, or by Administrative Assistants designated by the Medical Examiner. The management of all of these issues is accomplished by going to the DOT NRCME website and using the LOGIN button. After logging in, the Medical Examiner can then designate administrative assistants, report CMV driver exam results, and manage related information. 

Once certified, can providers perform Class B with passenger and bus endorsement driver examinations?

DOT-certified providers can perform any CDL examination, federal and state, unless there are state-specific requirements for providers. You will have to confirm with the DMV in your state whether any such state-specific requirements exist.

How often do drivers need examinations?

The 2 million-plus nationwide commercial motor vehicle drivers are required by law to have a CDL examination once every 2 years, or more frequently depending on any medical conditions and prescribed medications.

What equipment is needed for a driver examination?

The minimum requirements for a CDL examination are Snellen vision, dipstick urinalysis, and a blood pressure cuff.

Is it required to collect blood and urine during the examination?

No blood is required. Dipstick urinalysis is used to report specific gravity, glucose, blood, and protein levels.

Is it required to screen for illegal drugs?

No drug screening is required by federal law, but drivers will likely request a drug test to satisfy their employer or insurance company.
For more information see the DOT Overview of Drug and Alcohol Rules.

How do I access FMCSA technical support?

Medical providers and administrators needing FMCSA technical support can do so here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/national-registry-technical-support-request-form

Where can I find DOT Medical Examiner forms and applications?

You can download MCSA-5870, MCSA-5875, MCSA-5876, and MCSA-5895 forms directly from the FMCSA

How much do you charge for a CDL physical?

The 2023 average examination only fee was $125 - this included required vision, hearing (whisper test), dipstick urinalysis, blood pressure, and pulse.

Related blog entries of interest:

My DOT account is suspended, what do I do?

If your DOT account has been suspended then it is likely due to inactivity. Contact the DOT FMCSA at fmctechsup@dot.gov requesting that your account be reactivated. Read more about actions that can cause a certified Medical Examiner to be removed from the National Registry

What is a Medical Examiner's Administrative Assistant?

A Medical Examiner’s Administrative Assistant (MEAA) is the person responsible for uploading a Medical Examiner’s CDL examination results to the DOT. Many MEAAs upload the CDL examination results for several Medical Examiners. To become a MEAA, you must first register with the National Registry to receive a MEAA ID Number: Register to become a MEAA

For a Medical Examiner (ME) to designate a MEAA, the ME will need to have the MEAA’s ID number assigned to them by the National Registry. MEs may designate more than one MEAA and may disassociate a MEAA at any time. When the ME logs into their DOT account, they should choose the tab on the top tool bar titled “Manage Administrative Assistants.” To invite the MEAA, the ME should select the tab for “Add MEAA,” then enter the MEAA’s ID number, and select Submit. After submitting the request, a confirmation box will be displayed that contains the information about the MEAA. To confirm that the correct MEAA is being invited, the ME selects Submit. Once the MEAA accepts the invitation, the ME will see the MEAA listed in their National Registry account as a Current MEAA. Once accepted, the MEAA’s account is associated with the ME’s account and the MEAA is able to report results of examinations, view previously submitted results of examinations, report that no examinations have been performed during a month, and manage the ME’s contact and employer information.

How can an employer verify that a provider is a certified Medical Examiner (ME) with the FMCSA?

Anyone can visit the National Registry website and search for a Medical Examiner in the registry of certified Medical Examiners.

Additional information resource: National Registry Resource Center

Enroll in the NRCME Training Institute or purchase our $99 NRCME Exam Reference Materials. Call us at (941) 600-8411 for more program information and for any current enrollment discounts.

Single-Provider Discounts

Call (941) 600-8411

1 of 3

Participant Testimonials

"Enrolling in the NRCME Training Institute was a great decision! I quickly passed both the program and the certification examination."

"This DOT program is well designed, thorough, and user-friendly."

"I found the NRCME Training Institute program to be user-friendly, comprehensive, and competitively priced."

"Probably the best DOT training program on the market and at a great price."

"This NRCME medical examiner course is great value for the money and they have outstanding customer service. I am highly satisfied!"

"The program presented the essentials in a clear manner while accommodating additional details for providers who sought more in-depth knowledge."

Copyright

© 2024. This CME-certified activity is held as copyrighted © by The NRCME Training Institute. Through this notice, The NRCME Training Institute grants permission of its use for educational purposes only. These materials may not be used, in whole or in part, for any commercial purposes without prior permission in writing from the copyright owner(s).