Our Office’s View On Sleep Apnea, BMI, and The DOT Physical Exam:

As of now, there are no official rulings from the federal government regarding sleep apnea and the dot physical exam.  However, it must be considered during the physical exam.  According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a BMI of over 40 is an almost sure tell tale sign that the patient has sleep apnea.

You can calculate your BMI easily by googling “BMI calculator.”  Simply enter your weight and height and you will get a number.  If your BMI is over 40, we ask that you have a sleep apnea test before coming in to our office for your exam.

Again, we are aware that there is no official ruling from the government that says you will fail your exam automatically if your BMI is over 40.  However, as medical providers who hold licenses, we must look out for ourselves and we cannot pass anyone we feel may be a hazard on the road.  It is our opinion that if your BMI is over 40, you are in a high risk category for sleep apnea.