FMCSA Is Conducting Medical Examiner (ME) Performance Monitoring Audits, as of July 1, 2024
As of July 1, 2024, the FMCSA is actively conducting Medical Examiner (ME) Performance Monitoring Audits. No specific information has been released regarding the number of audits the FMCSA intends to carry out.
The audit program consists of three types of auditing:
- Random Selection Performance Auditing – FMCSA randomly selects MEs and associated driver examination records to be audited to verify that they are performing physical qualification examinations in accordance with the regulations and appropriately applying the physical qualification standards.
- For Cause Performance Auditing – FMCSA selects an ME to be audited due to a specific reason or complaint regarding the performance of an ME.
- Eligibility Auditing – FMCSA audits MEs to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements to maintain their certification on the National Registry (current license and completion of required periodic training).
FMCSA indicates that records associated with the physical qualification examination that will be audited include, but are not limited to:
- MCSA-5875
- MCSA-5876
- MCSA-5870 Insulin Treated Diabetes Form
- MCSA-5895 Driver Medication Form
- MCSA-5871 Vision Evaluation Report Form
- Any other medical records used in making a physical qualification determination
When an ME has been selected for an audit, the FMCSA will send an email to the address listed in the ME’s National Registry certification account. The ME then has 48 hours from the notification to provide all examination records requested by the FMCSA.
If the ME fails to upload the requested records within the required 48 hours, the FMCSA will email a notice of proposed removal to the ME again to the email address the ME has listed in their National Registry certification account.
If the ME is issued a notice of proposed removal, in addition to the email sent, a notification will appear on their National Registry account (the one the ME logs in to NOT the one used in the National Registry site to see if an ME is current) explaining that the ME has been issued a notice of proposed removal and ME needs to respond that they either agree to take the corrective action outlined in the notice of proposed removal or that the ME disagrees with the notice of proposed removal. The ME must take action within 30 days.
If the ME fails to respond to the automated notification within the required 30 days, the ME will immediately be removed from the National Registry and notification will be sent to their email.
If an ME is removed from the National Registry for noncompliance, the ME must wait 30 days before they can request a review for reinstatement.
