Most DoDMERB reviews finish 2–3 weeks after exams arrive; AMI or waivers can add weeks or months based on your case.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step look at how the DoDMERB medical review moves from exam day to a decision, what slows it down, and what you can do to keep things moving. You’ll see realistic time ranges, common status messages, and simple actions that cut down delay.
What “Review Time” Really Means
When people ask how long the board takes, they’re usually asking about two connected clocks. The first runs from your medical exams to the moment your file reaches the board. The second runs from board receipt to a decision: Qualified, Does Not Meet Standard (DQ), or a request for more information (often called AMI or “remedial”). If your commissioning program requests a waiver after a DQ, that’s a third clock managed by the waiver authority, not the board.
Stage-By-Stage Timeline At A Glance
This table summarizes the usual flow. It assumes a clean exam and fast responses to any document requests.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Scheduling & Visits (DODMETS) | You schedule and complete optometry + physical; contractor logs results. | 1–3 weeks |
| Contractor Quality Check | Forms get checked for completeness/legibility; fixes sent back if needed. | ~1–3 weeks (longer if fixes) |
| Board Intake (DoDMERB) | File lands in the board’s queue. | Hours to a few days |
| Initial Review | Board reviews history, exams, and any prior records. | ~2–3 weeks after intake |
| Outcome | Qualified, AMI request, or DQ; programs see updates soon after. | Same day to a few days post-decision |
| Waiver (If Requested By Program) | Separate medical authority reviews for waiver suitability. | Several weeks to a few months |
Why The “2–3 Weeks” Answer Has Asterisks
That 2–3 week window applies to the board’s review once your file is in hand and the case is straightforward. Two things can stretch the calendar: backlog and case complexity. Backlog rises during the heavy season (roughly October through spring) when thousands of candidates test. Case complexity grows when the history form flags conditions that need extra records, when an exam has gaps, or when a waiver is in play.
How The Pieces Fit: DODMETS, DoDMERB, And Waiver Offices
DODMETS is the scheduling and exam-tracking portal run by a contractor (CIV Team). It collects your forms and sends your completed packet to the board after a quality check. DoDMERB is the board that evaluates medical qualification for Service Academies and ROTC programs. If you’re not qualified, the waiver authority for your program (not the board) weighs risk versus training needs and may grant a waiver.
You can read how DODMETS supports scheduling and form intake on its medical exam tracking page. The board’s official site also hosts contact details and FAQs for applicants using the new DMACS 2.0 portal; see the DoDMERB FAQ.
Close Variant: DoDMERB Review Time With And Without Waivers
Here’s how the clock behaves across the three common paths:
Path 1: Qualified On Initial Review
If exams are clean and the history form raises no flags, many files clear within about 2–3 weeks after the board receives them. Your applicant portal and program portal usually mirror the update soon after.
Path 2: Additional Medical Information (AMI)
When the board asks for records, testing, or clarifying notes, the timeline depends on your response time and provider turnaround. Fast uploads can keep the added time to a few weeks. Slow clinic portals or mail-only offices can push this to a month or more. The board resumes the clock only after the requested information arrives.
Path 3: DQ Followed By Waiver Review
A DQ does not end your candidacy. Your commissioning program decides whether to start a waiver review. Once opened, the waiver office sets the pace. Some waivers move in several weeks; others take months when specialty opinions or a period of stability are required. Program portals often show “Under Waiver Review” or similar while this is pending.
Seasonal Patterns And Backlogs
Volume drives wait times. The cycle from early fall through spring brings the biggest wave of new exams. Status pages can lag during that window. That doesn’t always mean your case is stuck; it can be sitting in a queue waiting for a reviewer or for a contractor fix. Patience helps here, but smart follow-through helps more—see the next section.
How To Keep Your Case Moving
Give Clean, Complete Exams
Bring any corrective lenses, prescriptions, and prior surgery records to your appointments. Answer history questions plainly and thoroughly. Small errors—missing signatures, unreadable scans, skipped fields—send forms back for fixes and can add days or weeks.
Upload Requested Records Fast
Watch your applicant portal and email. If the board asks for AMI, respond fast. Ask providers for digital copies; scan multi-page records into a single legible PDF. Label files with your last name and a short descriptor so staff can spot them quickly.
Use Official Contact Channels When Needed
Case managers and the help desk can address account or document issues. The board posts phone/email routes for case managers and applicant help on its contact page. Keep messages concise: full name, last four SSN, applicant ID, and the exact question.
Status Messages You’ll See And What They Mean
Portal wording varies slightly, but these are common:
“Case Received” Or “Under Review”
Your packet is in the queue. If you’re in peak season, this phase often lasts around 2–3 weeks. Longer spans usually tie back to volume, holidays, or reviewer workload.
“Remedial Requested” Or “Additional Medical Information”
The board needs documents or tests. Read the request letter closely. Upload every page asked for, including operative notes or radiology reports, not just clinic summaries.
“Qualified”
You met the medical standard. Program portals tend to update shortly afterward. Some programs don’t send separate messages; the status just flips to qualified on their side.
“Does Not Meet Standard” (DQ)
This is a board decision about baseline standards, not the end of the line. Your program decides if a waiver review will open. If it does, you’ll see a waiver status appear in your program portal or in board notes.
Realistic Ranges By Scenario
The ranges below bundle the stages you care about most—after exams are complete.
| Scenario | What’s Included | Realistic Range |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward Case | Board intake + initial review with no AMI | ~2–3 weeks post-intake |
| AMI Needed | Time for you to gather/upload + board re-review | ~3–6+ weeks based on records |
| DQ With Waiver | Program-run waiver review after DQ | Several weeks to a few months |
Why Timelines Shift This Year
The applicant portal moved to DMACS 2.0 under the Defense Health Agency. During transitions like this, login windows and page availability can change for short periods. If you can’t log in, check the board’s notices and try again later, then email the help desk only if you still can’t access your account.
What To Do If Your Case Seems Stuck
Step 1: Confirm Where The File Sits
Look at DODMETS first: are both exams marked complete? If not, call the provider offices to fix any missing pieces. If both show complete, the contractor may still be finishing quality checks before sending the packet on.
Step 2: Check The Board Portal
If the portal shows the file in review, set a reminder to check weekly. During peak season, two weeks without movement isn’t alarming. Past three weeks, you can reach out politely with your applicant info.
Step 3: Keep Your Program In The Loop
Admissions or ROTC staff can see your status from their side. They can’t speed up a board decision, but they can confirm whether a waiver review has started and share anything your file still needs.
Case Examples That Stretch The Clock
Recent Injury Or Surgery
Many waiver reviews look for a clear return-to-duty path. Providers may need to submit re-exam notes after a set interval. Build that into your plan and calendar early.
Chronic Conditions With Ongoing Care
Expect record requests from multiple clinics—primary, specialty, and pharmacy. Ask each office for a single PDF that includes notes and test results to limit back-and-forth.
Testing Gaps From The Exam Day
If an audiogram, color vision, or blood pressure reading is missing or unreadable, the contractor sends it back for a fix. Fast appointments shorten the lag; missed calls push it out.
Answers To Questions Candidates Ask Most
Does The Board Ever Finish Faster Than Two Weeks?
Yes, especially outside peak months, and when the file is spotless. You may see a decision within days after intake. That isn’t something you can schedule; keep forms clean and respond quickly—that’s the lever you control.
Do Programs See My Update Right Away?
Usually soon after the board updates your status. Some program portals sync daily; some lag a few days. If your board portal shows “Qualified,” your program will catch up.
Can I Speed Up A Waiver?
You can’t change the medical risk assessment, but you can remove friction: upload complete records, answer follow-up questions quickly, and show any required stability period is met with fresh notes.
Prep Checklist To Avoid Delays
- Bring glasses/contacts and prescriptions to both exams.
- List every surgery, medication, and hospital visit with dates.
- Request digital copies of key records before your exams.
- Scan documents clearly; no shadows or cut-off margins.
- Respond to AMI letters within a few days when possible.
- Check both portals weekly during the season.
Bottom Line: Plan For 2–3 Weeks, Build Slack For Extras
If your exams are complete and clean, many files get a board decision within about 2–3 weeks after intake. Add buffer time for AMI, holidays, and the waiver track. Use the official portals, keep uploads legible, and ping support channels only when a reasonable window has passed. That mix keeps your file near the front of the line when a reviewer opens it.