Truck-driving is a strenuous profession. The long hours that truck drivers put in at the wheel can cause serious health problems, and these problems often contribute to accidents on the road. That’s the reason why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stipulates that all truck drivers must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical exam before they will be granted a commercial license.
DOT exams are performed by health care professionals who’ve been trained in FMCSA standards and guidelines. Drivers must schedule an examination at least once every two years and more often than that if a particular medical condition puts them at risk. An NRCME training course can help you prepare to take the FMCSA certification exam so that you can perform DOT health exams.
What Are the Requirements for NRCME Certification?
NRCME certification is open to medical doctors, doctors of osteopathic medicine, chiropractors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
If you’re interested in becoming certified, your first step should be to register with the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners so that you can obtain a National Registry Number from the FMCSA. You will have to take 12 hours of coursework, which will focus on the types of health problems you may encounter when you examine truck drivers. The training program you’ve participated should issue you a Certificate of Completion.
Once you have that certificate in hand, you’ll be eligible to register for the qualifying exam. You’ll need to submit a copy of a photo ID along with your Certificate of Completion in order to register for the exam, and the name on the photo ID must be the same name that’s on your Certificate of Completion.
Once you’re passed the exam, you’ll be certified. Your certification will be good for 10 years but you will be required to take a continuing education class once your certification is five years old.
What’s On the NRCME Exam?
The NRCME exam is a multiple-choice test. You’ll be required to answer questions about the physical evaluation process, the necessity for certain types of diagnostic tests, the role of proper documentation, the process of risk assessment, and the role of health education and counseling.
