Appendix D: Guidelines from Other Organizations

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Appendix D: Guidelines from Other Organizations

The medical qualification of persons with fibromyalgia in safety-sensitive positions has been addressed by multiple organizations either directly or indirectly by evaluating for any impairment secondary to the fibromyalgia and its treatment.

The following medical qualification standards list fibromyalgia as a disqualifying condition for appointment, enlistment, or induction18,19:

  • Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03 Volume 1 Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction into the Military Services
  • US Coast Guard Commandant Instruction Manual 6000.1F Coast Guard Medical Manual

The following medical qualification standards list fibromyalgia with functional impairment resulting in duty limitations as disqualifying for retention/continued service19-21:

  • Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03 Volume 2 Medical Standards for Military Service: Retention
  • US Coast Guard Commandant Instruction Manual 6000.1F Coast Guard Medical Manual
  • Army Regulation 40-501 Standards of Medical Fitness

The following are samples of LEO medical qualification standards that do not specifically address fibromyalgia but do include language stating that any medical condition that interferes with the performance of the essential tasks of the law enforcement officer position is disqualifying22-27:

  • Medical Screening Manual for California Law Enforcement
  • Army Regulation 190-56 The Army Civilian Police and Security Guard Program
  • DOD 6055.05-M Occupational Medical Examinations and Surveillance Manual
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts Human Resources Division Initial-Hire Medical and Physical Ability Test Standards and Physician’s Guide 2020
  • North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission – Medical Screening Guidelines for the Certification of Criminal Justice Officers in the State of North Carolina
  • Municipal Police Training Council, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services – Medical and Physical Fitness Standards and Procedures for Police Officer Candidates

The above list is not all encompassing but serves to illustrate that other organizations have addressed fibromyalgia specifically or have addressed the potential impairment to include sudden incapacitation that may be caused by the fibromyalgia.

The following is a sample of LEO medical qualification standards that mandate annual periodic medical qualification examinations for LEOs23,28,29:

  • Army Regulation 190-56 The Army Civilian Police and Security Guard Program
  • Medical Surveillance Procedures Manual and Medical Matrix (Edition 12); Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
  • Fitness-for-Duty Program Policy Directive and Policy Guide; Federal Bureau of Investigation Human Resources Division 0735DPG

The above list is not all encompassing but serves to illustrate that other organizations have mandated annual periodic medical qualification examinations.