New DOT medical forms are here
The FMCSA has finally released new versions of its Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Medical Examination Report Form. The new versions have an expiration date of 12/31/2024 in the upper-right corner.
The new forms were released on December 15, 2021, more than two weeks after government approval of the earlier versions had already expired. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had been reviewing the new versions since October 19th and granted another three-year approval on December 7th.
The forms are required for all commercial bus and truck driver medical exams. The expiration date in the top-right corner of the forms indicates when OMB approval expires and does not have any effect on the expiration of a driver’s medical certification.
Nothing changed on the new forms except the OMB expiration date.
Don’t toss the old ones just yet
In a statement issued on December 15, the FMCSA said medical examiners may continue to use the older version of the forms, which have an OMB expiration date of 11/30/2021, until the new forms are available.
“Medical Examiners should start using the forms with the 12/31/24 date as soon as possible,” the agency wrote. “However, MEs that have purchased these forms in bulk, or require time to reprogram electronic system forms, may continue to use the old forms until stocks have been depleted or forms have been reprogrammed but should transition to use of the new forms as quickly as possible.”
The agency added that it encourages state driver licensing agencies to continue to accept the 2021 forms from CDL drivers. However, the agency has little control over which forms the states are willing to accept, so drivers who present a certificate dated 11/30/2021 long after the new certificates are available may risk having their certificate rejected. For that reason, a speedy transition to the new forms is advised.
More changes may be coming
Earlier this year, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission told the OMB that the FMCSA medical exam form should be revised to narrow the scope of medical information requested from drivers. The OMB decided not to require that for now, but did instruct the FMCSA to report back in six months on how it proposes to address those concerns. Ultimately, it may mean changes to the long medical form in the future.
Which forms are affected?
FMCSA medical forms with a new 12/31/2024 OMB expiration date include:
- The Medical Examination Report Form (MCSA-5875),
- The Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876), and
- The Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form (MCSA-5870).
Key to remember: New DOT medical forms have been approved, but examiners may continue to use existing forms for driver physical exams until the new forms are available.