NRCME Recertification: What You Need to Know Before Your Certification Expires
If you’re a certified medical examiner approaching your 10-year certification expiration, or if you want to plan ahead, here’s what you need to know about the NRCME recertification process.
When Does Your Certification Expire?
NRCME certification is valid for 10 years from the date you were originally listed on the National Registry. You must complete the recertification process before your certification expires to maintain your ability to perform DOT physical examinations without interruption.
FMCSA recommends beginning the recertification process at least 6 months before your expiration date to allow adequate time for training, study, and scheduling the exam.
Recertification Requirements
The recertification process mirrors the initial certification process:
- Complete an accredited training program — You must complete a new, FMCSA-accredited training course, even if you completed one for your initial certification
- Pass the NRCME certification exam — The recertification exam is the same format as the initial exam (120 multiple-choice questions)
- Maintain an active medical license — Your license must be unrestricted and in good standing
Is the Recertification Exam Different?
The recertification exam covers the same 14 categories and uses the same 120-question multiple-choice format as the initial certification exam. However, if FMCSA regulations have been updated since your initial certification, the exam will reflect those changes.
This is why recertification training is required—it ensures you are current with any regulatory updates that have occurred during your 10-year certification period.
Don’t Assume You’ll Pass Easily
A common mistake among experienced medical examiners is assuming that 10 years of performing DOT physicals has adequately prepared them for the recertification exam. While practical experience is valuable, the exam tests specific regulatory knowledge that you may not actively reference in daily practice.
Regulations may have changed, new exemption programs may have been introduced, and the specific numerical thresholds and certification periods may not be as sharp in your memory as they were when you first studied for the exam.
How to Prepare for Recertification
- Take the training course seriously — Don’t just go through the motions; actively engage with the material and note any changes from when you were initially certified
- Review the current FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook — Focus on any sections that have been updated
- Practice with current exam questions — Use an up-to-date question bank that reflects current FMCSA guidelines
- Take at least one full-length practice exam — This will show you where your knowledge has gaps after 10 years
What Happens If Your Certification Lapses?
If your certification expires before you complete recertification, you are removed from the National Registry and cannot legally perform DOT physical examinations until you complete the full recertification process. Any DOT physicals performed while not listed on the registry are not valid.
This can create significant problems for your practice and for the drivers you examine. Plan ahead to avoid a gap in your certification.
Get Ready for Your Recertification Exam
Whether your certification expires next month or next year, starting your preparation early gives you the best chance of a smooth recertification. our NRCME practice tests are used by both first-time candidates and experienced examiners preparing for recertification.