June 23rd is only four days away, and the trucking and medical certification communities are bracing for potential disruptions. As expected, the National Registry has announced on its NRII Learning Center site that 14 states have not yet implemented their required data connections with the National Registry system.
This gap in connectivity could significantly affect the medical certification process for commercial drivers licensed in those states. To prepare stakeholders for the likely scenario that these states won’t be compliant by the June 23 deadline, the National Registry II (NRII) Learning Center has released a Fact Sheet for Drivers, Motor Carriers, and Medical Examiners with critical guidance.
What Drivers and Medical Examiners Need to Do
If a commercial driver is licensed in one of the 14 non-compliant states (see list on the NRII site), and their exam is conducted in any other state, the following steps must be taken:
1. Medical Examiners Must Issue Paper Certificates
Regardless of the exam location, Medical Examiners (MEs) must provide drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876). This includes situations where the ME is located in a compliant state, but the driver’s license is from a non-compliant state (e.g., exam in Wisconsin, license from Illinois).
2. Drivers Must Be Proactive
Drivers should request a paper certificate at the time of the exam if the ME does not automatically provide it. This step is critical, as without it, the driver’s medical certification will not be properly registered with the state licensing authority.
3. Self-Registration Required
Drivers will need to self-register their medical certificate with their state’s SDLA/DMV office, as the automatic electronic submission will not be functional for those states.
Recommended: Carry the National Registry Fact Sheet
To ensure smooth interactions with both Medical Examiners and DMV staff, the National Registry recommends that drivers carry a printed copy of the official NRII Fact Sheet. This document can help clarify the necessity of paper copies and manual registration, particularly if met with confusion or resistance from examiners or DMV personnel.
One More Hurdle for the Industry
While the National Registry’s contingency plan offers a path forward, this situation presents yet another layer of complexity for drivers and medical professionals. With federal compliance deadlines looming, clear communication and proactive planning will be essential to avoiding certification delays or enforcement issues.
✅ Stay Compliant – Stay on the Road
WorkforceQA is committed to keeping drivers and examiners informed. Reach out to us for assistance navigating this update, or download the official Fact Sheet for CDL Drivers and Medical Examiners from the National Registry today.
DRIVER OUTREACH
Need Help or Have Questions?
Contact the WorkforceQA team for additional support or clarification about how these changes may affect your workforce or compliance processes.
