Quick Summary (What You Need to Know)

• NRCME certification is valid for 10 years.

• Recertification requires FMCSA-compliant training and passing a proctored exam.

• You can begin recertifying 12 months before your expiration date.

• Early recertification does NOT shorten your certification period.

• You must have an active medical license before recertifying.

• The 5-year refresher course is not the same as the 10-year recertification.

• The recertification exam is administered by Prometric or PSI, costs $79, includes 120 questions, a 2-hour time limit, and requires a 71% to pass.

• If you fail, you can retake the NRCME exam anytime – even the next day.

• If your certification expires, you cannot perform DOT exams until reinstated.

• FMCSA certification timelines are now normal after prior postponements.

Need FMCSA-compliant recertification training?
➜ Start Your NRCME Recertification Training Here

Before You Begin: If You’re in Your 9th Year…

If you’re approaching the final year of your 10-year cycle, now is the ideal time to begin. Starting early ensures you avoid gaps in certification, remain active on the National Registry, and can continue performing DOT physicals without interruption.

1. What is NRCME Recertification?

NRCME recertification is the process licensed medical examiners complete every 10 years to renew their listing on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Recertification ensures examiners stay current with:

• Updated medical guidance

• DOT physical exam procedures

• Federal certification and reporting standards

• Emerging conditions affecting commercial driver safety

To recertify, you must:

• Complete FMCSA-compliant NRCME recertification training, and

• Pass the proctored NRCME recertification exam at a Prometric or PSI testing center

Recertification protects both drivers and examiners by ensuring DOT physicals are performed consistently and accurately based on current FMCSA guidance.

2. NRCME Certification Timeline (5-Year vs 10-Year)

5-Year Refresher Training

• Free training located inside your National Registry account

• Ensures examiners stay up-to-date on major guideline updates

• Does NOT replace the 10-year recertification requirement

10-Year Recertification

• Required for all certified examiners

• Requires FMCSA-compliant training + a proctored exam

• Must be completed before your expiration date

Note: Because of previous delays, many examiners had their deadlines extended, but all examiners are now on the standard 10-year certification cycle.

3. How to Check Your Certification Expiration Date

To find your expiration date:

1. Log into the FMCSA National Registry
2. Click My Profile
3. Select Manage User Information
4. Look for the Certification Expiration field (top-right area)

You must complete recertification before this date to remain active on the National Registry.

4. FMCSA Recertification Requirements

To remain active on the NRCME, you must:

• Maintain an active, verifiable state medical license

• Complete an FMCSA-compliant recertification course

• Upload your training certificate to the NRCME portal

• Pass the proctored NRCME exam

• Update your NRCME profile promptly with any changes

• Report licensing or scope-of-practice changes within 30 days

Failure to complete these steps may delay or jeopardize your status on the National Registry.

5. Step-by-Step: How to Recertify as a DOT Medical Examiner

Step 1 – Confirm your medical license

FMCSA verifies your license directly with your state board.

Step 2 – Complete FMCSA-compliant training

You may begin up to 12 months before expiration.

Step 3 – Upload your training certificate

Testing centers will not allow scheduling until this is completed.

Step 4 – Schedule your exam

Testing center availability varies. Some locations have openings quickly, while others book out weeks in advance.

Step 5 – Take the exam

120 questions • 2 hours • 71% passing score.

Step 6 – FMCSA processes your results

Your listing updates following FMCSA review and approval.

6. Confirm Your Medical License

Before starting:

• Verify your license is active
• Ensure your license type matches NRCME records
• Update changes within 30 days

FMCSA will not allow recertification if:

• Your license is expired
• Your license type changed and wasn’t updated
• Your state board reports mismatched information

7. Complete FMCSA-Compliant NRCME Recertification Training

The required training covers:

• DOT exam standards

• Medical Examiner’s Handbook updates

• Federal medical guidance

• Clinical case-based decision making

• Required DOT documentation

You may complete this training up to one year before your expiration.

Start NRCME Recertification Training

8. Upload Your Training Certificate

To upload your certificate:

1. Log into your National Registry account
2. Upload your certificate
3. Wait until the next day
4. Schedule your exam

You cannot schedule your exam until the certificate is accepted.

9. Scheduling the NRCME Recertification Exam

• Provider: Prometric or PSI

• Cost: $79

• Length: 120 questions

• Duration: 2 hour limit

• Passing Score: 71%

• Retakes: No waiting period

10. What to Expect on Exam Day

Bring:

• Government-issued photo ID

• NRCME eligibility number

• Active medical license

• NRCME training certificate

Expect:

• Security screening

• Empty-pocket checks

• Lockers for all personal items

• No electronics, notes, coats, watches, or jewelry

• A monitored, quiet test room

Arrive 30 minutes early.

11. If You Don’t Pass the Exam

If you do not pass:

• There’s no longer a 30 day waiting period. You may retake whenever the next testing center appointment is available

• You may continue performing DOT exams if your certification is still active

• FMCSA will update your record once you pass

You can also use our free 30-question NRCME practice test to check your knowledge and identify topics that may need additional review.

12. What Happens If Your Certification Expires?

If your NRCME certification expires:

• Your name is removed from the active Registry

• You may not perform DOT exams

• You can still complete training

• You can still take the exam

• Your listing is restored once FMCSA approves your results

Your authority to perform DOT exams resumes immediately after reinstatement.

13. Reasons Examiners Are Removed from the Registry

Common causes:

• Certification expiration

• Invalid or expired medical license

• Failure to complete the 5-year refresher

• Incorrect profile information

• Unreported scope-of-practice changes

• Disciplinary action

Related:  Reasons medical examiners are removed from the National Registry.

14. Common Recertification Mistakes to Avoid

Many examiners run into preventable issues during the recertification process. The most common mistakes include:

• Waiting until the last minute to begin training or studying

• Assuming testing centers will have same-week openings (some locations book out weeks ahead)

• Forgetting to upload the training certificate before trying to schedule the exam

• Confusing the 5-year refresher with the 10-year recertification

• Using outdated or low-quality training materials that don’t reflect current FMCSA guidance

• Not reviewing updates to the Medical Examiner’s Handbook

• Underestimating the difficulty, depth, and structure of the NRCME exam

Starting early and following the steps in this guide helps you avoid all of these issues.

15. NRCME Recertification FAQ

Does early recertification shorten my certification period?
No. Your new 10-year cycle begins on your original expiration date.

How early can I begin recertifying?
Up to 12 months before expiration.

How do I find my expiration date?
In your NRCME profile under Manage User Information → Certification Expiration.

Where do I take the exam?
At a Prometric or PSI testing center.

What if I fail the exam?
You may retake it as soon as another testing appointment is available. In the past there was a 30 day waiting period.

Can I keep performing DOT physicals if I fail the NRCME exam?
Yes – as long as your certification is still active.

16. Final Thoughts

The NRCME recertification process is straightforward when started early. By confirming your license status, completing training ahead of your expiration date, and planning your exam proactively, you can remain compliant and avoid interruptions in your ability to perform DOT physicals.

If you need NRCME recertification training, we’d be glad to help.

Medical Review & Authorship

Written by: Dr. Jeffrey Carlson – Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Carlson leads TeamCME’s medical training programs and publishes regularly on DOT medical compliance and examiner best practices.

Reviewed by: Dr. Michael Megehee, DC, NRCME – Founder & Senior Advisor
FMCSA subject matter expert selected to help design the original NRCME educational curriculum and first exam questions.