Agency begins testing for medical examiners

In preparation for May 2014 compliance date for both medical examiners and drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has opened scheduling for health-care professionals wishing to obtain certification for the agency’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, FMCSA announced Dec. 3.

Exams will begin Dec. 17, and there are 260 test centers throughout the U.S. as of now.

In April, the agency finalized the rule establishing the registry, which requires examiners to be trained on the physical qualifications needed by drivers to operate a truck safely and certified by the FMCSA. It also requires drivers to obtain medical certification from one of the examiners in the registry.