Medical certificate exemption ends nationwide, except for Alaska

Alaska renewal period

FMCSA recently announced a 1-year renewal of the exemption exclusively for Alaska because it remains the only state that has not yet implemented the National Registry II (NRII) electronic medical certification integration process. The exemption for Alaska CDL and CLP drivers will be valid from October 12, 2026, through October 12, 2027.

The updated NRII process

Since 2025, carriers and CDL drivers have operated under temporary waivers and exemptions while FMCSA and states transitioned to NRII. Under the new electronic system, National Registry-certified medical examiners transmit examination results directly to the FMCSA. The FMCSA then electronically provides the information to state driver licensing agencies. Carriers then verify and document the driver’s medical certification status by obtaining a state motor vehicle record (MVR) that reflects certification information. A copy of the MVR is retained in the driver qualification (DQ) file to show proof of certification.

With the nationwide exemption expiring, carriers should expect roadside enforcement officers to rely on the driver’s state licensing record to verify medical qualification. A CDL or CLP driver whose state record doesn’t reflect a valid medical certification could receive a violation, even if the driver possesses a paper MEC. This stresses the importance of scheduling DOT medical renewals early and promptly verifying that the updated medical certification information appears on the driver’s MVR.