NRCME (DOT) TESTBANK
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION STUDY
GUIDE Questions with Detailed Rationales
Latest Version 2025-2026 | Verified Answers |
Grade A+ Preparation
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & ROLE OF THE
MEDICAL EXAMINER
1. Which federal regulation establishes the physical qualification standards
for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers?
A. 49 CFR Part 40
B. 49 CFR Part 391
C. 49 CFR Part 382
D. 49 CFR Part 395
Answer: B
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 391 establishes the physical qualification standards for
interstate CMV drivers. Part 40 covers drug and alcohol testing, Part 382 covers
controlled substances and alcohol use, and Part 395 covers hours of service.
2. The primary purpose of the National Registry of Certified Medical
Examiners (NRCME) is to:
A. Replace state licensing boards
B. Ensure medical examiners follow specific guidelines when certifying drivers
C. Certify drivers rather than medical examiners
D. Provide health insurance to commercial drivers
Answer: B
Rationale: The NRCME was established to train medical examiners uniformly in
FMCSA rules and test examiners to ensure they have mastered the material before
performing DOT physicals.
,3. An unrestricted Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Medical Certificate is
typically valid for:
A. Annually
B. Every Two Years
C. Every Four Years
D. Whenever the State Issued Driver's License is renewed
Answer: B
Rationale: An unrestricted medical certificate is valid for up to 24 months (two
years) for drivers without disqualifying medical conditions.
4. A driver with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus can be certified for a
maximum of:
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 3 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) requires a 1-year certification
interval. The driver must present a completed MCSA-5870 form from their treating
clinician.
5. What is the minimum passing score required on the NRCME certification
exam?
A. 60%
B. 71%
C. 80%
D. 85%
Answer: B
Rationale: The NRCME exam requires a minimum score of 71% to pass. The exam
consists of 120 questions, with 20 questions being ungraded pilot questions.
6. Continued certification of NRCME medical examiners requires periodic
training at least every:
, A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. 3 years
Answer: C
Rationale: NRCME certification requires recertification every 10 years, which
includes completion of a recertification test.
7. A driver with hypertension (Stage 1: 140-159/90-99 mmHg) should be
certified for:
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 1 year
D. 2 years
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg) qualifies for a 1-year
certification provided there are no other disqualifying conditions.
8. A driver with Stage 2 hypertension (160-179/100-109 mmHg) should
receive:
A. 2-year certification
B. 1-year certification
C. One-time 3-month certificate
D. Immediate disqualification
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension warrants a one-time 3-month certificate to allow
time for blood pressure treatment and control.
9. A driver with blood pressure ≥180/110 mmHg (Stage 3 hypertension)
should be:
A. Certified for 1 year
B. Certified for 3 months
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION STUDY
GUIDE Questions with Detailed Rationales
Latest Version 2025-2026 | Verified Answers |
Grade A+ Preparation
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & ROLE OF THE
MEDICAL EXAMINER
1. Which federal regulation establishes the physical qualification standards
for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers?
A. 49 CFR Part 40
B. 49 CFR Part 391
C. 49 CFR Part 382
D. 49 CFR Part 395
Answer: B
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 391 establishes the physical qualification standards for
interstate CMV drivers. Part 40 covers drug and alcohol testing, Part 382 covers
controlled substances and alcohol use, and Part 395 covers hours of service.
2. The primary purpose of the National Registry of Certified Medical
Examiners (NRCME) is to:
A. Replace state licensing boards
B. Ensure medical examiners follow specific guidelines when certifying drivers
C. Certify drivers rather than medical examiners
D. Provide health insurance to commercial drivers
Answer: B
Rationale: The NRCME was established to train medical examiners uniformly in
FMCSA rules and test examiners to ensure they have mastered the material before
performing DOT physicals.
,3. An unrestricted Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Medical Certificate is
typically valid for:
A. Annually
B. Every Two Years
C. Every Four Years
D. Whenever the State Issued Driver's License is renewed
Answer: B
Rationale: An unrestricted medical certificate is valid for up to 24 months (two
years) for drivers without disqualifying medical conditions.
4. A driver with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus can be certified for a
maximum of:
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 3 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) requires a 1-year certification
interval. The driver must present a completed MCSA-5870 form from their treating
clinician.
5. What is the minimum passing score required on the NRCME certification
exam?
A. 60%
B. 71%
C. 80%
D. 85%
Answer: B
Rationale: The NRCME exam requires a minimum score of 71% to pass. The exam
consists of 120 questions, with 20 questions being ungraded pilot questions.
6. Continued certification of NRCME medical examiners requires periodic
training at least every:
, A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. 3 years
Answer: C
Rationale: NRCME certification requires recertification every 10 years, which
includes completion of a recertification test.
7. A driver with hypertension (Stage 1: 140-159/90-99 mmHg) should be
certified for:
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 1 year
D. 2 years
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg) qualifies for a 1-year
certification provided there are no other disqualifying conditions.
8. A driver with Stage 2 hypertension (160-179/100-109 mmHg) should
receive:
A. 2-year certification
B. 1-year certification
C. One-time 3-month certificate
D. Immediate disqualification
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension warrants a one-time 3-month certificate to allow
time for blood pressure treatment and control.
9. A driver with blood pressure ≥180/110 mmHg (Stage 3 hypertension)
should be:
A. Certified for 1 year
B. Certified for 3 months
