Same-day work injury care, physical therapy, physicals and drug testing — now closer to West Denver employers and crews. Walk-ins welcome, no referral needed.
Physicals & testing
Who needs a DOT physical, what the exam covers, what to bring so you leave certified, and how long your card lasts — a practical checklist for CDL drivers and Colorado fleet employers.
Key takeaway: Commercial drivers must pass a DOT physical performed by a medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry. Certification lasts a maximum of 24 months — shorter if a condition needs monitoring. Bring your medication list, glasses or contacts, hearing aids, and recent CPAP data if you use one; missing items are the most common reason a certification gets delayed.
This guide is for CDL drivers due for an exam and for Colorado fleet and trucking employers building a compliant medical certification program.
Federal rules (49 CFR Part 391) require a current medical certificate for drivers operating in interstate commerce who drive a vehicle over 10,000 lbs GVWR, transport hazardous materials requiring placards, or carry passengers (9+ for compensation, 16+ otherwise). Colorado applies federal medical standards to intrastate CDL drivers as well, with limited exceptions. [COMPLIANCE VERIFY current CO intrastate variances]
The exam must be performed by a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry — not just any clinic. [Confirm and name ICA’s certified examiner(s) here — this is an E-E-A-T win.]
A DOT physical is a fitness-for-duty exam, not a general checkup:
Download: printable DOT physical prep checklist [ASSET — create]
Showing up without documentation doesn’t usually mean failing — it means a delayed or shortened certification while the examiner waits for records. Bring the paperwork; leave certified.
Maximum 24 months. Examiners commonly issue shorter cards — often 12 months, sometimes 3 or 6 — for conditions that need monitoring, such as managed hypertension. Build renewal timing into your calendar at least 30 days before expiration; a lapsed card means a parked truck.
Honesty up front saves drivers grief: some findings require treatment or documentation before certification (uncontrolled high blood pressure, untreated sleep apnea, poorly controlled diabetes), and a small number are disqualifying under federal rules (e.g., epilepsy not meeting exemption criteria, current alcohol dependence without recovery documentation). A good examiner’s job isn’t to fail drivers — it’s to get treatable issues managed so the driver certifies safely. [CLINICIAN REVIEW this section closely]
Tracking expirations across a fleet is where compliance breaks down. A clinic partner can schedule renewals on a cycle, deliver results the same day, and coordinate DOT physicals with drug and alcohol testing in one visit — one stop per driver, per cycle.
ICA performs DOT physicals with FMCSA-certified examiners [VERIFY + name], with same-day certificates for qualified drivers. Drivers: schedule your DOT physical. Fleet managers: ask about a fleet certification program.
Is the DOT urinalysis a drug test? No. The urinalysis in a DOT physical screens for medical indicators like sugar and protein. DOT drug testing is a separate program with its own collection rules — though both can often be done in the same visit.
Can I get a DOT physical if I have high blood pressure? Usually yes. Depending on your readings you may receive a shorter certification period with follow-up monitoring rather than a denial. Bring your medication list and recent readings. [CLINICIAN VERIFY current staging thresholds]
How long does the exam take? Typically 30–45 minutes with complete paperwork. Missing documentation is the main thing that stretches it into days.
General information, not medical advice. Certification decisions are made by the certified medical examiner at the time of exam. [Medically reviewed by — REQUIRED, FMCSA registry credential displayed] · Last reviewed: [DATE]
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