NRCME - National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners Vision and Hearing Requirements Questions and Answers

Question 1

A CMV driver is undergoing a hearing assessment. The medical examiner performs a forced whisper test. To pass this test, the driver must be able to first perceive a forced whispered voice at what minimum distance?

Accepted Answer

5 feet in the better ear

Answer

According to FMCSA regulation §391.41(b)(11), a driver is physically qualified if they can first perceive a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet, with or without a hearing aid.

Question 2

A 55-year-old driver fails the forced whisper test during his recertification exam. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step for the medical examiner to take?

Accepted Answer

Refer the driver for an audiometric test

Answer

If a driver fails the whisper test, the regulations allow for an alternative test. The driver must be referred for an audiometric test. If the driver passes the audiometric test, they can be qualified.

Question 3

Which of the following represents the minimum vision standards required for a CMV driver to be qualified without needing to meet the alternative vision standard?

Accepted Answer

Distant visual acuity of 20/40 in each eye and a horizontal field of vision of 70° in each eye

Answer

The FMCSA standard requires a driver to have a distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye, with or without correction, a distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40, and a horizontal field of vision of at least 70 degrees in each eye. The driver must also be able to recognize standard red, green, and amber traffic signals.

Question 4

A driver with stable, long-standing monocular vision wishes to be certified under the new alternative vision standard. The driver provides a Vision Evaluation Report (Form MCSA-5871) from an optometrist. What is the maximum certification period a medical examiner can grant for this individual?

Accepted Answer

12 months

Answer

Under the alternative vision standard that became effective in March 2022, a driver who qualifies can be issued a Medical Examiner's Certificate for a maximum period of 12 months (1 year).

Question 5

To pass the audiometric hearing test, a driver's average hearing loss in the better ear cannot be greater than 40 decibels (dB) at which of the following frequency ranges?

Accepted Answer

500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz

Answer

The FMCSA regulation states that if an audiometric device is used, the driver must not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz, with or without a hearing aid.

NRCME - National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners Practice Test

NRCME - National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners Practice Test

NRCME - National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners Vision and Hearing Requirements Questions and Answers