Qualified Medical Evaluators (or QMEs) play a crucial role in the workers’ comp system. With that in mind, in this post, we discuss the steps you need to take to become a Qualified Medical Evaluator in California.
What Is a QME?
A QME is a physician certified by the Medical Unit of California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) to examine injured workers and issue medical-legal reports. The reports written by QMEs are used to determine if the injured worker is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Any of the following professionals can become a QME in California, provided that they meet all the necessary requirements:
- Medical doctors
- Doctors of osteopathy
- Doctors of chiropractic
- Dentists
- Optometrists
- Podiatrists
- Psychologists
- Acupuncturists.
How To Become a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) in California?
In order to become a QME in California, you must first submit a completed original Application for Appointment as Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME Form 100) and a registration packet to the Medical Unit of California’s DWC.
Your documentation must be reviewed and approved by the DWC before you can register for the competency exam.
Please note that you are required to pay a $125 fee in order to sit for the QME exam.
The next QME exam is scheduled to take place on October 15-22, 2022. To qualify for this exam, the application must be postmarked by September 1, 2022. If you are deemed qualified, you will receive a confirmation letter along with a Candidate Information Booklet.
The QME exam is administered by CPS HR Consulting’s partner, Pearson VUE. You can take the exam at one of Pearson VUE’s several test centers.
For more details about how to apply for the QME exam, check out our previous post, “California’s DWC Is Accepting Applications for QMEs.”
What Are the Regulations About QMEs?
The regulations regarding QMEs are found in the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, sections 1 through 159. Some noteworthy points include:
- Any application for appointment as QME may be rejected if it is incomplete, contains false information or does not contain the required supporting documentation
- No physician who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to his or her practice shall be appointed or reappointed as a QME. An applicant who has been convicted of any other type of felony or misdemeanor may be denied appointment or reappointment.
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