# CA QME Program Guide | Medrecords AI

> California's Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) program appoints state-approved physicians who resolve medical-legal disputes, using the AMA Guides 5th Edition and the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule.

Canonical page: https://medrecords.ai/ime-hub/states/ca/

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## Program overview

When the parties cannot agree on an evaluator, the DWC Medical Unit issues a three-physician QME panel; each side strikes one name (8 CCR § 108). QMEs must complete DWC-approved training, including the online QME course updated with UC Berkeley COEH.

## Rating framework

Labor Code § 4660(b)(1) incorporates the AMA Guides 5th Edition. The 2005 PDRS (8 CCR § 9805) applies impairment plus the Four Adjustments (age, occupation, diminished future earning capacity, apportionment) to reach the permanent disability rating.

## Partial items

Telehealth status for QME evaluations was not verified in this pass; check current DWC guidance before relying on it.

## Key facts

- **Program:** QME
- **Agency:** California Division of Workers' Compensation, Medical Unit
- **Statute / rules:** Labor Code 4060–4062.9; 8 CCR 31.3–31.7; 8 CCR 9805
- **AMA Guides edition:** 5th Edition
- **Edition basis:** Labor Code § 4660(b)(1)
- **MMI rules:** Permanent disability rated at MMI per the 2005 PDRS
- **Key forms:** QME Form 100 (application); QME Form 105 (panel selection instructions)
- **Fee schedule:** 8 CCR 17; Medical-Legal Fee Schedule 2021 (ML201 comprehensive evaluation fee)
- **Telehealth:** Not verified in this pass

## Sources

- [CA DWC Medical Unit](https://dir.ca.gov/dwc/MedicalUnit/imchp.html)
- [8 CCR § 9805 (PDRS)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/8-CCR-9805)
- [Labor Code § 4660](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2020/code-lab/division-4/part-2/chapter-2/article-3/section-4660/)
- [8 CCR § 108 (panel selection)](https://www.dir.ca.gov/t8/108.html)

Last verified: 2026-08-15