25-hour Industrial Disability Evaluation QME Program + Reappointment

Why YOU Should Become A QME?!

• An initial QME evaluation pays $2,015, plus $3 per page over 200 pages
• Learn to write better forensic reports
• Enhance your credentials as a treater in the workers' comp field
• Practice to the top of your scope
• Work collaboratively with physicians of all types
• Help patients get the benefits they need and are entitled to

CalChiro will be presenting a 25-hour Industrial Disability Evaluation QME Program which will prepare you to sit for the April 2026 Division of Workers’ Compensation examination. CalChiro candidates achieve a 90% QME exam pass rate, surpassing the 69% pass rate for the 2025 QME exam cycle!

DCs have been valued participants in the work comp QME system since the inception of the QME system more than 20 years ago. In fact, the outline for the training doctors must take was based on the old CCA Independent Disability Evaluator Course.

Until now, DCs had to take 44 hours of in-person classwork to qualify to sit for the exam, but through the efforts of CalChiro, Dr. Wayne Whalen and Dr. Moses Jacob, that requirement has changed to 13 hours face-to-face (in-person) and 12 hours of online coursework. So you only need to spend one weekend at a hotel!!!

Need QME reappointment hours? Current QMEs can take this course and earn up to 12 hours!!! Bonus! All QME hours count toward general CE hours for DC license renewal.

§55. Reappointment: Continuing Education Programs For Applications Received Before April 1, 2026

A QME shall complete within the previous 24 months of his or her term of appointment 12 hours of continuing education in disability evaluation or workers' compensation related medical dispute evaluation given by a provider accredited by the Administrative Director. This section shall apply to applications for reappointment received before April 1, 2026.

§55.1. Reappointment: Continuing Education Programs

A QME shall complete within the previous 24 months of his, her or their term of appointment 16 hours of continuing education in disability evaluation, or workers' compensation related medical dispute evaluation, or other workers' compensation related topics approved by the Administrative Director, given by a provider accredited by the Administrative Director. This section shall apply to applications for reappointment received on or after April 1, 2026.

DWC QME Process: The application and registration packet for the QME exam can be downloaded from the DWC website. The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC, the Division) will administer the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) Competency Examination from April 11th through April 17th 2026. The exam will be given via computer at Pearson VUE Testing Centers. Applicants may also contact the Medical Unit at 510-286-3700 to request an application via U.S. mail, email, or fax.

Physicians who want to take the April 2026 QME exam must submit a completed application for appointment as Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME Form 100), the registration packet and the required $125 exam fee to the DWC and postmarked no later than February 25th, 2026. 

The test sites will be announced on the Registration Notices.

Under guidelines established by the Division of Workers’ Compensation for Continuing Education (CE), this program has been authorized for 25 total hours of CE. This course includes 9 hours of Certification in California Workers Compensation Evaluation, and 16 hours of disability evaluation report-writing, including 2 hours of anti-bias training and 2 hours of case law review. This combination of courses meets the requirements of the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC), in accordance with Labor Code section 139.2(d) (3) and Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, section 55, 11 (4) and 14.