FMCSA DOT Physical Medical
Examiner Test
"Yes" answer on vision questions? - ANS-May require shorter certification and f/u with
specialist.
2 reasons for not medically qualified? - ANS-1) Disease/condition that temporarily or
permanently DQs them OR 2) Haven't fulfilled appropriate waiting period, eg. 1 year
2 spontaneous pneumos on same side and not treated? - ANS-DQ
4 possible options for determinations for medical exam? - ANS-1) Qualified
2) Not qualified
3) Determination pending
4) Incomplete
6 METS means: - ANS-Heavy and very heavy work requires greater than 6 METs and
includes carrying heavy objects (>50 lbs) and climbing stairs rapidly.
Abnormal urinalysis? - ANS-Don't certify until dx of kidney dz is confirmed and treatment is
stable. Okay to time limit and f/u with PCP for Cr/GFR.
Aneurysms in other vessels? - ANS-Assess risk of rupture
Angina
WP?
Max cert?
Certify if: - ANS-3 months stable
1 year cert IF:
-Stable
-Asx
-Tolerates meds
-ETT okay - if inconclusive, cardiac cath or additional testing.
-Eval by cardiac specialist
-Biennial ETT
Are DM exemptions/waivers still valid? - ANS-No. They must use the new form.
Are hearing aids allowed for the whisper test? - ANS-Yes.
Are there any current FMCSA waiver programs? - ANS-No, only exemption programs.
Are you required to accept the medical insulin form? What are you supposed to decide -
ANS-No. Must decide:
,-Maintaining stable insulin regimen?
-Properly controlled DM? ("Non-compliant" or "No show" on medical records from TC
demonstrates not following advice of TC)
-Permanent DQ if severe prolif or non-profil retinopathy.
As an examiner, anytime ____ is higher than public safety, you should not certify the
examiner. - ANS-Right to work
Audiometry standards: - ANS-Audiometry: Better than 40 DB at 500/1000/2000 Hz add
together and divide by 3 to get the average.
Blood glucose levels considered safe for commercial driving? - ANS-Between 100-400.
BPPV or peripheral vesibulopathy -- period sx free? - ANS-
CABG
WP?
Max cert?
Certify if: - ANS-WP? 3 months
Max cert: 1 year IF
-Asx
-Tolerates meds w/o orthostatic sx
-LVEF>40
-Approved by cardiologist
-Healed sternum
-ETT every 2 years post-bypass (unique)
Can a medical examiner grant a waiver? - ANS-No. They have to go through the online
FMCSA processes.
Can an examiner write schedule/MSK restrictions? - ANS-No.
Cardiomyopathy cert and required tests? - ANS-Annual cert
Annual cardiology eval, ECHO, Holter
CDC defines loading & unloading a truck as how many METS? - ANS-6
Certifying aseptic meningitis? - ANS-No increased risk of seizures; may certify once resolved
Certifying epilepsy? - ANS-10 years WP after go off anticonvulsants and must seizure free
that whole WP
Certifying pt with confirmed OSA? - ANS-Can certify, using frequent recert, once adequately
treated.
CHD risk equivalents & how long to certify? - ANS-DM, PVD, Framingham > 20%, >45 yo
with multiple risk factors --> 1 year certification and add tests based on sx.
, CHF certify if? - ANS-Asx
No ventricular arrythmias
LVEF>40
Under care of cardiologist
Chronic thrombotic dz? Recert time? - ANS-Understand why recurrent clots. Is it controlled?
Up to 2 years re-cert (unique) unless sx of uncontrolled dz.
Claudication DQ - ANS-If having pain at rest
Congenital Heart Disease - ANS-Diagnosis and severity
ECHO, ETT
Do not certify AAA if growth is: - ANS-Has increased more than 0.5 cm during a 6 month
period, regardless of size.
Do not certify after MI IF: - ANS-Rest angina or change in angina pattern within 3 months of
examination.
Ischemic changes on rest electrocardiogram (ECG).
Intolerance to cardiovascular ther
Do not certify SVTs IF: - ANS-They cause LOC, compromised cerebral function, sudden
death requiring resus
DO NOT recert ventricular arrythmias IF: - ANS-Sustained VT
NSVT, LVEF<40
HOCM, long QT, brugada
Do you need a medical certificate to apply for the vision exemption? - ANS-No.
Do you use the systolic or diastolic to guide your decision? - ANS-Whichever is higher.
Document every abnormality? - ANS-Yes, and then just write in comments, "not likely to
interfere."
Does corrective glasses include cataract implant? - ANS-No.
Does determination pending require a new exam? - ANS-No. A short medical certificate
does, but a DP does not.
Does interstate commerce refer to the cargo or to the driver? - ANS-It refers to the cargo,
tools, vehicle, NOT to the driver.
Does the driver need a new exam after sustaining an injury? - ANS-That is up to the
employer.
Don't certify until etiology is _______, and _____ is shown to be _____, ______, and _____.
- ANS-Confirmed, treatment, safe, effective, stable.
Examiner Test
"Yes" answer on vision questions? - ANS-May require shorter certification and f/u with
specialist.
2 reasons for not medically qualified? - ANS-1) Disease/condition that temporarily or
permanently DQs them OR 2) Haven't fulfilled appropriate waiting period, eg. 1 year
2 spontaneous pneumos on same side and not treated? - ANS-DQ
4 possible options for determinations for medical exam? - ANS-1) Qualified
2) Not qualified
3) Determination pending
4) Incomplete
6 METS means: - ANS-Heavy and very heavy work requires greater than 6 METs and
includes carrying heavy objects (>50 lbs) and climbing stairs rapidly.
Abnormal urinalysis? - ANS-Don't certify until dx of kidney dz is confirmed and treatment is
stable. Okay to time limit and f/u with PCP for Cr/GFR.
Aneurysms in other vessels? - ANS-Assess risk of rupture
Angina
WP?
Max cert?
Certify if: - ANS-3 months stable
1 year cert IF:
-Stable
-Asx
-Tolerates meds
-ETT okay - if inconclusive, cardiac cath or additional testing.
-Eval by cardiac specialist
-Biennial ETT
Are DM exemptions/waivers still valid? - ANS-No. They must use the new form.
Are hearing aids allowed for the whisper test? - ANS-Yes.
Are there any current FMCSA waiver programs? - ANS-No, only exemption programs.
Are you required to accept the medical insulin form? What are you supposed to decide -
ANS-No. Must decide:
,-Maintaining stable insulin regimen?
-Properly controlled DM? ("Non-compliant" or "No show" on medical records from TC
demonstrates not following advice of TC)
-Permanent DQ if severe prolif or non-profil retinopathy.
As an examiner, anytime ____ is higher than public safety, you should not certify the
examiner. - ANS-Right to work
Audiometry standards: - ANS-Audiometry: Better than 40 DB at 500/1000/2000 Hz add
together and divide by 3 to get the average.
Blood glucose levels considered safe for commercial driving? - ANS-Between 100-400.
BPPV or peripheral vesibulopathy -- period sx free? - ANS-
CABG
WP?
Max cert?
Certify if: - ANS-WP? 3 months
Max cert: 1 year IF
-Asx
-Tolerates meds w/o orthostatic sx
-LVEF>40
-Approved by cardiologist
-Healed sternum
-ETT every 2 years post-bypass (unique)
Can a medical examiner grant a waiver? - ANS-No. They have to go through the online
FMCSA processes.
Can an examiner write schedule/MSK restrictions? - ANS-No.
Cardiomyopathy cert and required tests? - ANS-Annual cert
Annual cardiology eval, ECHO, Holter
CDC defines loading & unloading a truck as how many METS? - ANS-6
Certifying aseptic meningitis? - ANS-No increased risk of seizures; may certify once resolved
Certifying epilepsy? - ANS-10 years WP after go off anticonvulsants and must seizure free
that whole WP
Certifying pt with confirmed OSA? - ANS-Can certify, using frequent recert, once adequately
treated.
CHD risk equivalents & how long to certify? - ANS-DM, PVD, Framingham > 20%, >45 yo
with multiple risk factors --> 1 year certification and add tests based on sx.
, CHF certify if? - ANS-Asx
No ventricular arrythmias
LVEF>40
Under care of cardiologist
Chronic thrombotic dz? Recert time? - ANS-Understand why recurrent clots. Is it controlled?
Up to 2 years re-cert (unique) unless sx of uncontrolled dz.
Claudication DQ - ANS-If having pain at rest
Congenital Heart Disease - ANS-Diagnosis and severity
ECHO, ETT
Do not certify AAA if growth is: - ANS-Has increased more than 0.5 cm during a 6 month
period, regardless of size.
Do not certify after MI IF: - ANS-Rest angina or change in angina pattern within 3 months of
examination.
Ischemic changes on rest electrocardiogram (ECG).
Intolerance to cardiovascular ther
Do not certify SVTs IF: - ANS-They cause LOC, compromised cerebral function, sudden
death requiring resus
DO NOT recert ventricular arrythmias IF: - ANS-Sustained VT
NSVT, LVEF<40
HOCM, long QT, brugada
Do you need a medical certificate to apply for the vision exemption? - ANS-No.
Do you use the systolic or diastolic to guide your decision? - ANS-Whichever is higher.
Document every abnormality? - ANS-Yes, and then just write in comments, "not likely to
interfere."
Does corrective glasses include cataract implant? - ANS-No.
Does determination pending require a new exam? - ANS-No. A short medical certificate
does, but a DP does not.
Does interstate commerce refer to the cargo or to the driver? - ANS-It refers to the cargo,
tools, vehicle, NOT to the driver.
Does the driver need a new exam after sustaining an injury? - ANS-That is up to the
employer.
Don't certify until etiology is _______, and _____ is shown to be _____, ______, and _____.
- ANS-Confirmed, treatment, safe, effective, stable.
