California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 1 - Division of Workers' Compensation - Qualified Medical Evaluator Regulations
Article 5 - QME Reappointment
Section 55 - Reappointment: Continuing Education Programs. For Applications Received Before April 1, 2026

(a) There are two types of continuing education programs:

(b) In addition to granting credit for attending a course or program which it gives, the Administrative Director may grant credit for:

(c) To apply to the Administrative Director for accreditation, a provider shall submit to the Administrative Director, at least 60 calendar days before any public advertisement of the applicant's program or course is made:

(d) The Administrative Director shall accredit an applicant who meets the definition of an education provider in Section 1(p); submits a completed, signed and dated application which demonstrates past experience in providing continuing education programs; and proposes a program which meets the requirements of section 55(c) or a course which meets the requirements of section 11.5(a) and (i). Proposed content for continuing education program credit must relate directly to disability evaluation or California workers' compensation-related medical dispute evaluation. No credit shall be recognized by the Administrative Director for material solely discussing the business aspects of workers' compensation medical practice such as billing, coding and marketing.

(e) The Administrative Director shall notify the applicant within 30 calendar days after receipt of the application containing all the information listed in section 55(c) whether that provider has been accredited for a two year period. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant.

(f) A provider that has been accredited by the Administrative Director will be given a number which must be displayed on any public advertisements of QME continuing education programs for that provider with the statement "Accredited by the Administrative Director of the California Division of Workers' Compensation for Qualified Medical Evaluator continuing education. Physicians may report up to _____ hours of credit for QME reappointment."

(g) On or before the date the program is first presented or distributed, the provider shall submit the program syllabus (all program handouts) to the Administrative Director. Each distance learning program shall also submit one copy of the examinations and one copy of the audio/video tapes, computer program or each issue of the journal or newsletter for which credit is to be granted.

(h) A provider may offer different QME continuing education programs during the two-year accreditation period provided the subject matter is in disability evaluation or workers' compensation related medical dispute resolution. The provider shall send the Administrative Director the program outlined and faculty for each new program at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date of presentation of the new program. The Administrative Director may require submission of program syllabi. The Administrative Director may require changes in the program based on its review of the program outline, program syllabi, promotional material or faculty if the Administrative Director finds that any aspect of the program is not in compliance with these regulations.

(i) Promotional materials for a program must state the educational objectives; the professional qualifications of program faculty (at least all relevant professional degrees); the content of program activities; the maximum number of credit hours to be granted; and the intended audience.

(j) Joint sponsorship of education programs (as between an accredited and an unaccredited provider) must be approved by the Administrative Director prior to presentation of the program.

(k) Accredited providers that cease to offer education programs shall notify the Administrative Director in writing.

(l) Instructors shall not recruit members or promote commercial products or services immediately before, during or after a course. Providers or vendors may display/sell educational related to workers' compensation or applications for membership in an area adjoining a course. A course provider or faculty member shall disclose on QME Form 119 (Faculty Disclosure of Commercial Interest), located in section of Title 8119 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, any significant financial interest in or affiliation with any commercial product or service held by faculty and discussed in a course and that interest or affiliation must be disclosed to all attendees. A provider shall file every Form 119 in its possession or in its control with the Administrative Director.

(m) The provider shall issue a certificate of completion to each QME who successfully completes a continuing education program. The certificate must list the provider; provider number; date(s); location and title of the continuing education program; and the number of hours in attendance for which credit is to be granted. Credit shall be granted only for the actual time of attendance at or participation in a program. Each accredited provider may in its sole discretion limit the amount of credit hours that a course will be granted to less than the amount of time actually spent in attendance in the course.

(n) To apply for re-accreditation, a provider must submit a completed QME Form 118 (Application for Accreditation or Re-Accreditation as Education Provider) (See, 8 Cal. Code Regs. § 118). The provider may complete section 2 of the form using a new program or course or one which was given by the provider during the recent accreditation period. The Administrative Director shall give the provider ninety (90) days' notice of the need to seek re-accreditation.

(o) The provider shall maintain attendance records for each continuing education program for a period of no less than three (3) years after the program is given. A physician attending the program must be identified by signature. The provider must submit a copy of the signature list to the Administrative Director within sixty (60) days of completion of the program.

(p) The provider is required to give the QME's Evaluation Form 117 (Qualified Medical Evaluator Continuing Education Response Form) (See, 8 Cal. Code Regs. § 117) to program attendees and request they submit the form to the Administrative Director. This information shall not be used in lieu of a certification of completion given by the provider, as specified pursuant to section (m). Destruction by a provider or its employee of a QME's Evaluation Form or failure by such provider or its employee to distribute Form 117 as part of its program shall constitute grounds for revocation of a provider's accredited status. The Administrative Director shall tabulate the responses and return a summary to the provider within ninety (90) days of completion of the program.

(q) The Administrative Director may audit a provider's program(s) at the request of the medical director to determine if the provider meets the criteria for accreditation. The Administrative Director may audit programs randomly, when a complaint is received, or on the basis of responses on QME Form 117 (Qualified Medical Evaluator Continuing Education Response Form) (See, 8 Cal. Code Regs. § 117). An auditor shall not receive QME credit for an audited program. The Administrative Director shall make written results of the audit available to the provider no more than thirty (30) days after the audit is completed.

(r) The Administrative Director may withdraw accreditation of a provider or deny such a provider's application for accreditation on the following grounds (in addition to failure to meet the relevant requirements of subdivision of Title 811.5(a) or 55(c) of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations):