To become a QME, you must complete the following steps:

1. Pass the QME Competency Exam
   – The exam is administered by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), usually twice per year. It tests your understanding of workers’ compensation law and medical-legal principles.
2. Complete a disability report writing course
   – This must be a DWC-approved provider. It covers medical-legal concepts, report structure, regulatory requirements, apportionment, and legal standards.

Submit the QME application
– Along with proof of license in good standing, the report writing course certificate, a list of QME offices and any required fees.

While not required by the DWC, carrying malpractice and errors & omissions (E&O) insurance is strongly advised as even if you are employed and covered by your insurers insurance, you are likely performing these evaluations outside of your employment.

QMEs are required to complete 16 hours of DWC-approved continuing education in disability evaluation within every 24-month reappointment cycle. These hours must focus specifically on QME-related topics like report writing, AMA Guides application, apportionment, legal updates, and anti-bias training

Under current regulations, QMEs are limited to a maximum of 10 office locations.

You may conduct QME exams at any QME office location that you have listed currently with the DWC. Telehealth is allowed only with written agreement from the parties.

You must maintain each listed office for a minimum of 180 days after it’s listed with the DWC Medical Unit.

No, a QME may decline an evaluation for good cause, such as a verified conflict of interest, a valid medical emergency, or another DWC-recognized justification.  

These are not valid reasons to refuse a panel:  only wanting to conduct telehealth evaluations, the injured worker is unrepresented, the case is a UEBTF cases.  Please note:  If you decline three or more panels in a calendar year without good cause, you may be subject to discipline including suspension from the QME process.

You must submit your QME report within 30 days of the evaluation. If you receive a  supplemental report request it must be submitted within 60 days from the date of the request.

Yes, you may request a 15-day extension by submitting QME Form 112 at least 5 days before the 30-day report deadline. Extensions are granted only for specific reasons like pending test results or good cause, and you must serve all parties when submitting the request.

Late reports can be excluded from evidence, and repeated lateness may result in disciplinary action by the DWC.

Yes. You may reschedule, but:

• Initial appointment must be scheduled within 90 days of being selected, or up to 120 days if the requesting party waives the right to a replacement panel law.cornell.edu+14lflm.com+14calawyers.org+14.
• Any rescheduling or cancellation must occur at least six (6) business days before the scheduled exam—unless there’s good cause documented cwci.org+4dir.ca.gov+4dir.ca.gov+4.

If you cancel, you’re required to reschedule within 60 calendar days of the cancellation, unless the parties agree otherwise

While their regulations do not specifically state how long a QME must wait before considering an evaluation a “no-show,”  CCR § 9795 does state that  if the injured worker is more than 30 minutes late for the appointment then a Missed Appointment (ML200) can be billed.  This means that you must wait 30 minutes if you are billing for the missed appointment.