In its June 2025 issue, TCI Magazine published an article from Kristoffer Rasmussen, CTSP, QCL, entitled “Changes to CDL Medical Examiner’s Certification” (TCI Magazine, Volume 36, No. 6, page 46). The article explained that, effective June 23, 2025, an updated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rule called “National Registry II,” or NRII, would replace paper Medical Examiner’s Certifications with a fully electronic system for submitting and verifying DOT medical certificates.

On July 14, FMCSA granted a waiver allowing commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders and motor carriers to continue relying on paper copies of medical examiner’s certificates as proof of a driver’s medical certification for up to 15 days after the date the medical examiner’s certificate is issued. The waiver is in effect until October 12, 2025, and a copy of the waiver is available on FMCSA’s website.

Recognizing commercial drivers may face delays as certified medical examiners and state driver’s-licensing agencies transition from the paper-based process, FMCSA issued the waiver so that drivers with valid medical certification and their employers are not negatively impacted by delays outside of their control.

FMCSA also issued a recommendation to certified medical examiners that, in addition to submitting physical-qualification examination results electronically, they continue to issue drivers paper medical examiner’s certificates during this period of transition.

Additional information and resources on NRII can be found on FMCSA’s website.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/fmcsa-issues-temporary-waiver-support-nrii-transition