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FMCSA Modifies Waiver: Paper Medical Examiner’s Certificates Now Valid for 60 Days
On July 14, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a temporary waiver permitting interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders, and motor carriers to rely on a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of medical certification for up to 15 days after issuance.
Today, FMCSA announced a modification to that waiver—extending the allowable use of the paper medical examiner’s certificate to 60 days after the date of issuance.
The full contents of the waiver modification can be found here.
This adjustment provides additional flexibility for drivers, carriers, and State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) as they continue transitioning to the secure electronic transmission of medical certification dataunder the National Registry II (NRII) Final Rule.
Why the FMCSA Modified the Waiver
FMCSA determined that extending the waiver period to 60 days serves the public interest by:
This action helps ensure that drivers remain compliant and employed while the system modernization continues.
Continued Guidance for Certified Medical Examiners
FMCSA strongly recommends that certified medical examiners continue to:
Resources for Carriers and Drivers
To support stakeholders through this transition, FMCSA has made additional resources available through the FMCSA NRII Learning Center.
We encourage all carriers, drivers, and medical examiners to review the official waiver modification notice, which outlines the updated requirements and compliance timeline.
On July 14, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a temporary waiver permitting interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders, and motor carriers to rely on a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of medical certification for up to 15 days after issuance.
Today, FMCSA announced a modification to that waiver—extending the allowable use of the paper medical examiner’s certificate to 60 days after the date of issuance.
The full contents of the waiver modification can be found here.
This adjustment provides additional flexibility for drivers, carriers, and State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) as they continue transitioning to the secure electronic transmission of medical certification dataunder the National Registry II (NRII) Final Rule.
Why the FMCSA Modified the Waiver
FMCSA determined that extending the waiver period to 60 days serves the public interest by:
- Preventing undue hardship on drivers who hold a valid medical certification but may experience processing delays outside their control.
- Supporting employers who rely on timely medical certification verification.
- Allowing State agencies and certified medical examiners more time to implement and align with NRII requirements.
This action helps ensure that drivers remain compliant and employed while the system modernization continues.
Continued Guidance for Certified Medical Examiners
FMCSA strongly recommends that certified medical examiners continue to:
- Issue paper medical examiner’s certificates (Form MCSA-5876) to drivers, in addition to submitting exam results electronically.
- Provide clear documentation to help drivers and carriers maintain compliance during this 60-day waiver period.
Resources for Carriers and Drivers
To support stakeholders through this transition, FMCSA has made additional resources available through the FMCSA NRII Learning Center.
We encourage all carriers, drivers, and medical examiners to review the official waiver modification notice, which outlines the updated requirements and compliance timeline.