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QME Exam 2026/2027:
California Qualified Medical
Evaluator Practice Questions &
Rationales
Prepare for the California QME Competency Exam with
400+ practice questions covering causation,
apportionment, impairment rating, AMA Guides, report
writing, and P&S status. Detailed rationales explain each
answer. Covers DWC regulations, medical-legal
evaluation, and disputed issues. Study material for the
2026/2027 exam cycle.
Q1
A 45-year-old warehouse worker is evaluated by a QME for a low back injury. The
worker reports that his pain has progressively worsened over the past six months
despite adhering to the prescribed treatment plan. He has completed a recent course
of physical therapy and continues to take anti-inflammatory medication. The QME
determines that the worker has reached a plateau in his recovery and no further
functional improvement is expected with ongoing medical treatment. The QME
documents that the worker's condition is stable and unlikely to change substantially
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in the next year. Based on this clinical picture, what is the most appropriate status to
assign to this injured worker in the medical-legal report?
A. Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
B. Permanent and Stationary (P&S)
C. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
D. Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
Answer: B. Permanent and Stationary (P&S)
Rationale: The scenario describes a classic definition of Permanent and Stationary
(P&S) status. P&S, also referred to as Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), is
reached when an injured worker's condition has plateaued and no further significant
improvement is anticipated with additional medical treatment. The key indicators in
this case are the plateau in recovery, the completion of a treatment course, and the
determination that the condition is stable and unlikely to change substantially.
Temporary disability statuses (A and C) are appropriate while the worker is still
recovering and expected to improve. Permanent Total Disability (D) would require
evidence that the worker is permanently and completely unable to work, which is not
the focus of this clinical status determination.
Q2
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The California agency responsible for administering the Qualified Medical Evaluator
(QME) program is the:
A. California Medical Board
B. Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit
C. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
D. Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
Answer: B. Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit
Rationale: The DWC Medical Unit, a division of the Department of Industrial Relations,
administers the QME program, including appointments, training, and discipline. This is
the foundational administrative structure for the entire QME system.
Q3
The authority to appoint physicians as QMEs is granted to the:
A. Chief Judge of the WCAB
B. Administrative Director (AD) of the DWC
C. California State Senate
D. Commissioner of the Department of Insurance
Answer: B. Administrative Director (AD) of the DWC
Rationale: California Labor Code §139.2 explicitly gives the Administrative Director the
authority to appoint qualified medical evaluators. The AD oversees the DWC Medical
Unit and its QME appointment process.
Q4
A physician seeking initial QME appointment must have been licensed to practice in
California for at least:
A. 2 years
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B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C. 5 years
Rationale: LC §139.2 requires that applicants for QME appointment have at least five
years of continuous licensure in California (or equivalent in another state with active
California practice). This ensures a baseline of clinical experience.
Q5
One of the three core requirements for QME appointment is:
A. Completion of a 12-hour disability evaluation report-writing course
B. Board certification in a specialty
C. Active hospital privileges
D. Malpractice insurance of at least $2 million
Answer: A. Completion of a 12-hour disability evaluation report-writing course
Rationale: The three requirements are: pass the QME competency exam, complete an
approved 12-hour course on disability evaluation report writing, and devote at least
1/3 of practice time to direct medical treatment (or meet alternative AME experience).
Q6
A QME's term of appointment is:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
QME Exam 2026/2027:
California Qualified Medical
Evaluator Practice Questions &
Rationales
Prepare for the California QME Competency Exam with
400+ practice questions covering causation,
apportionment, impairment rating, AMA Guides, report
writing, and P&S status. Detailed rationales explain each
answer. Covers DWC regulations, medical-legal
evaluation, and disputed issues. Study material for the
2026/2027 exam cycle.
Q1
A 45-year-old warehouse worker is evaluated by a QME for a low back injury. The
worker reports that his pain has progressively worsened over the past six months
despite adhering to the prescribed treatment plan. He has completed a recent course
of physical therapy and continues to take anti-inflammatory medication. The QME
determines that the worker has reached a plateau in his recovery and no further
functional improvement is expected with ongoing medical treatment. The QME
documents that the worker's condition is stable and unlikely to change substantially
,2|Page
in the next year. Based on this clinical picture, what is the most appropriate status to
assign to this injured worker in the medical-legal report?
A. Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
B. Permanent and Stationary (P&S)
C. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
D. Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
Answer: B. Permanent and Stationary (P&S)
Rationale: The scenario describes a classic definition of Permanent and Stationary
(P&S) status. P&S, also referred to as Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), is
reached when an injured worker's condition has plateaued and no further significant
improvement is anticipated with additional medical treatment. The key indicators in
this case are the plateau in recovery, the completion of a treatment course, and the
determination that the condition is stable and unlikely to change substantially.
Temporary disability statuses (A and C) are appropriate while the worker is still
recovering and expected to improve. Permanent Total Disability (D) would require
evidence that the worker is permanently and completely unable to work, which is not
the focus of this clinical status determination.
Q2
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The California agency responsible for administering the Qualified Medical Evaluator
(QME) program is the:
A. California Medical Board
B. Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit
C. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
D. Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
Answer: B. Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit
Rationale: The DWC Medical Unit, a division of the Department of Industrial Relations,
administers the QME program, including appointments, training, and discipline. This is
the foundational administrative structure for the entire QME system.
Q3
The authority to appoint physicians as QMEs is granted to the:
A. Chief Judge of the WCAB
B. Administrative Director (AD) of the DWC
C. California State Senate
D. Commissioner of the Department of Insurance
Answer: B. Administrative Director (AD) of the DWC
Rationale: California Labor Code §139.2 explicitly gives the Administrative Director the
authority to appoint qualified medical evaluators. The AD oversees the DWC Medical
Unit and its QME appointment process.
Q4
A physician seeking initial QME appointment must have been licensed to practice in
California for at least:
A. 2 years
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B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C. 5 years
Rationale: LC §139.2 requires that applicants for QME appointment have at least five
years of continuous licensure in California (or equivalent in another state with active
California practice). This ensures a baseline of clinical experience.
Q5
One of the three core requirements for QME appointment is:
A. Completion of a 12-hour disability evaluation report-writing course
B. Board certification in a specialty
C. Active hospital privileges
D. Malpractice insurance of at least $2 million
Answer: A. Completion of a 12-hour disability evaluation report-writing course
Rationale: The three requirements are: pass the QME competency exam, complete an
approved 12-hour course on disability evaluation report writing, and devote at least
1/3 of practice time to direct medical treatment (or meet alternative AME experience).
Q6
A QME's term of appointment is:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
