What You Need to Know Right Now
Drivers should continue carrying paper copies of their Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876) as proof of medical eligibility. This remains the accepted practice during roadside inspections and safety audits.
Current Status
The Waiver Expires January 10, 2026
The FMCSA waiver that allows drivers to use paper Medical Examiner’s Certificates is set to expire at midnight on January 10, 2026. This waiver was re-issued on October 9, 2025.
Industry Request for Extension
On December 5, 2025, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) formally requested that FMCSA allow paper certificates to remain valid even after the January deadline. This request was made because:
- 9 states are still not compliant with the National Registry Integration Initiative (NRII) requirements
- As of today, the nine states are: Alaska, California, *Florida, *Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Oklahoma.
- These states cannot yet accept electronic transmissions of medical certificates
- Technical issues remain unresolved in integrating state licensing systems with the National Registry
FMCSA has not yet responded to this request.
*Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is implementing Electronic Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration with the National Registry II beginning Tuesday, December 16, 2025:
*Kentucky commercial drivers should continue to upload a copy of their medical examiner’s certificate to the MCDL portal when applying for or renewing their license or permit. Starting in June 2026, we will begin accepting examination results directly from medical providers.
For more information visit the NRII LEARNING CENTER
What this Means for You
For Drivers:
- Keep carrying your paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate
- Ensure your certificate is current and valid
- We will notify you immediately when guidance changes
For Motor Carriers:
- Continue your current medical certification documentation processes
- Maintain paper copies in driver qualification files
- Monitor for updates as the January 10 deadline approaches
What Happens Next?
We are actively monitoring this situation and will update this page immediately when:
- FMCSA responds to the CVSA request
- New guidance is issued before or after the January 10 deadline
- States achieve full NRII compliance
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Questions?
If you have questions about how this affects your operations, submit below:
This is a developing regulatory situation. Check back regularly for updates or sign up for alerts above.
