Sleep Apnea Testing
On August 8, 2017, the FMCSA (along with the FRA) withdrew their proposed rulemaking concerning Moderate-to-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
The agencies stated that they “believe that current safety programs and FRA’s Rulemaking addressing fatigue management are the appropriate avenues to address OSA.”
The FMCSA will consider an update to the “Bulletin to Medical Examiners and Training Organizations Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” The update will “ensure that medical examiners fully understand their role in screening drivers for OSA, identify drivers at the greatest risk of having OSA, and refer only those individuals to a sleep specialist for testing.”
So, medical certification determinations for drivers with OSA will be made by the examiner based on their medical judgement rather than a federal regulation or requirement.
Drivers currently under FMCSA regulations will see no change to the process of medical certification.