(DPM/Getty Images)
Federal trucking regulators are removing two Houston chiropractors from the federal register of medical examiners for failure to adequately perform physical qualification examinations on commercial motor vehicle drivers.
The action potentially voids more than 15,000 medical examiner’s certificates issued to commercial vehicle drivers, who have until May 10 to obtain a new medical certification or become disqualified from driving.
In an April 10 announcement, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said that physical exams performed by chiropractic doctors Jenny Le and Dustin Mai of Houston were not “adequately performed.”
The two examiners issued the medical certifications between March 2023 and March 2025.
“While this action does not immediately impact a driver’s ability to continue operating a CMV, drivers who received their certificates from Dr. Le or Dr. Mai must obtain a new certificate by May 10 from one of more than 38,000 active medical examiners listed on the National Registry,” FMCSA said.
“If a driver fails to obtain a new certificate by the identified date, the driver’s respective state driver’s licensing agency will initiate procedures to downgrade the driver’s CDL. Drivers, employers and SDLAs can find more information about the notice of proposed removal of medical examiners and the voiding of medical certificates on FMCSA’s website.”
FMCSA said it first referred the matter to the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. The Inspector General then collaborated with the Department of Justice (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the examiners’ actions.
“FMCSA subsequently determined that Dr. Le and Dr. Mai failed to correctly apply required standards in determining that drivers are physically qualified to operate a CMV,” the agency said.
A DOT physical exam is valid for up to 24 months. The medical examiner also may issue a certificate for less than 24 months when it is desirable to monitor a condition, such as high blood pressure.
“FMCSA’s primary mission is to enhance safety on our nation’s roadways,” FMCSA Chief Counsel Jesse Elison said. “Removing noncompliant medical examiners from the National Registry is a necessary step to maintain the integrity of the medical certification process and ensure that only qualified, properly trained professionals are certifying the physical qualifications of commercial motor vehicle drivers.”
