Medical Examiner’s Certificate for Obtaining a CDL in the USA

What is the Medical Examiner’s Certificate?

The Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) is one of the essential documents required to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in the USA. It confirms that you have undergone a medical examination and meet the requirements for operating commercial vehicles.

This form is issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), specifically the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

How to Download the Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form?

You can download the official form here on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.

Key Information About Form MCSA-5876

• Form Number: The form number—Form MCSA-5876—is located in the upper left corner of the document. MCSA stands for Medical Certification Standards and Advisory.

• Expiration Date: The expiration date is listed in the upper right corner, indicating how long the form remains valid (e.g., Expiration Date: 03/31/2025 means the form is valid until March 31, 2025).

• OMB Number: Next to the expiration date is a number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for document identification (e.g., OMB No. 2126-0006). While this number is not particularly important for you, it’s good to know where to find it. In most cases, the medical examiner is responsible for ensuring the form's accuracy, but human error is possible, so it’s essential to double-check the documents you receive.

Public Burden Statement

The form includes a Public Burden Statement, which confirms the form's mandatory nature. If you have suggestions for improving the form, you can send them to the address provided.

Filling Out the Form by the Medical Examiner

The medical examiner records your first and last name and fills out a section confirming your fitness to operate commercial vehicles. Two options are available:

1. Full certification of fitness

2. Certification of fitness for intrastate transportation only

The examiner may also note additional conditions:

• Wearing corrective lenses

• Wearing a hearing aid

• Accompanied by a waiver or exemption

• Accompanied by a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate

• Driving within an exempt intracity zone, as determined federally

• Grandfathered from new state requirements. (Grandfathering applies to drivers who began their activities or obtained licenses before new regulations took effect and are thus exempt from the updated rules. This exemption is state-specific.)

Certificate Expiration Date

The medical examiner specifies the expiration date of the certificate (Medical Examiner’s Certificate Expiration Date). This information is critical for the driver.

Information About the Medical Examiner

By completing this form, the medical examiner certifies that the information provided about the medical examination is accurate and complete. A full medical examination report (Form MCSA-5875), including all attachments, is kept in the examiner's office.

The medical examiner must provide:

1. Their signature, name, and phone number

2. The date the certificate was signed

3. Their specialty (MD, DO, Physician Assistant, Chiropractor, etc.)

4. Their license number and the state that issued it

5. A unique number from the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, confirming their certification by FMCSA

Information About the Driver

The driver is required to fill out the following information:

1. Signature

2. Driver’s license number and the state that issued it

3. Residential address: street, city, state, and zip code

4. CLP/CDL status (whether you are an applicant or a current holder)

Confidentiality and Form Revision Date

The form contains confidential information and must be stored and disposed of properly to prevent unauthorized access. The lower right corner of the form includes the revision date (e.g., Rev 3/1/23 indicates the form was revised or updated on March 1, 2023).