QME Practice Examination
120 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. Who has ultimate authority to issue a QME panel when an injured worker is
unrepresented?
A. The employer's claims administrator
B. The Division of Workers' Compensation Medical Unit
C. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
D. The treating physician
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DWC Medical Unit generates and issues QME panels through its
random selection process; the parties do not select the evaluator directly in
unrepresented cases.
2. How many physicians are typically listed on a QME panel requested by an
unrepresented employee?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Five
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A standard QME panel consists of three physicians from which the
unrepresented employee selects one to perform the evaluation.
3. In a represented case, how is the QME typically selected from the panel?
A. The employee automatically picks the first name
B. The parties strike names alternately until one remains
C. The WCAB assigns one by lottery
D. The employer's attorney selects unilaterally
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In represented cases, each side may strike one name from the
three-physician panel, and the remaining physician becomes the QME.
,4. What is the primary distinction between a QME and an Agreed Medical
Evaluator (AME)?
A. A QME only treats psychiatric injuries
B. An AME is jointly selected by both represented parties, while a QME is obtained
through the panel process
C. A QME evaluates only spine injuries
D. There is no meaningful difference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An AME is chosen by mutual agreement between the applicant's attorney
and the defense, whereas a QME comes from the randomly generated
three-physician panel list.
5. What specialty designation must an evaluator hold to be eligible for QME
certification?
A. Board certification or eligibility in a specialty relevant to the disputed medical
issues, plus DWC-approved training
B. Any active California medical license regardless of training
C. A degree in occupational therapy only
D. Certification specifically in orthopedic surgery only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: QME certification requires an appropriate medical specialty credential
along with completion of DWC-mandated QME training and continuing education
requirements.
6. Within what timeframe must an unrepresented employee generally request a
replacement QME panel due to an untimely report?
A. There is no time limit
B. Within a reasonable period as specified in the regulations, typically tied to the
report due date
C. Immediately upon panel issuance
D. Only after the case settles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulations set specific deadlines tied to when a QME report is due; failure
of the QME to timely produce the report can trigger a right to a replacement panel
within the specified window.
,7. What happens if a QME fails to serve a timely medical-legal report without
good cause?
A. The report is automatically admissible regardless of delay
B. The party may be entitled to a new panel and the QME may face administrative
penalties
C. The claim is automatically denied
D. The employee loses the right to any evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Untimely reporting can result in the aggrieved party obtaining a
replacement panel, and repeated violations can expose the QME to administrative
sanctions from the DWC.
8. Can a treating physician also serve as the QME in the same case?
A. Yes, always
B. No, a QME must be independent and not have previously treated the employee
for the same injury
C. Only if both parties agree in writing after the fact
D. Only in psychiatric claims
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To preserve independence and objectivity, a physician who has treated the
injured worker generally cannot also serve as the QME evaluating the same claim.
9. What is an ex parte communication in the QME context?
A. A joint letter signed by both parties
B. One-sided communication with the QME by only one party outside the presence
or knowledge of the other
C. A communication approved by the WCAB
D. A required cover letter for all medical-legal reports
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ex parte communication refers to improper one-sided contact with the
evaluator that excludes the other party, which is prohibited to protect the evaluation's
neutrality.
, 10. Which document must accompany a QME panel request to help ensure
specialty appropriateness?
A. A request for panel form specifying the relevant specialty and the disputed
medical issue
B. A signed settlement agreement
C. A copy of the employee's tax return
D. A subpoena duces tecum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The panel request must identify the medical specialty most relevant to the
disputed issue so the Medical Unit can generate an appropriate panel.
11. If neither party objects to a QME's report within a designated period, what
generally happens to the report's evidentiary status?
A. It is automatically excluded
B. It stands as substantial medical evidence absent a timely, valid objection or
successful cross-examination
C. It must be re-done every year
D. It becomes binding only on the employer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Absent timely objection, deposition, or supplemental development of the
record, an unrebutted QME report is typically treated as substantial evidence on the
issues addressed.
12. What is the purpose of a supplemental QME report?
A. To replace the original evaluator entirely
B. To address specific follow-up questions or new information without requiring a
full new evaluation
C. To automatically increase the impairment rating
D. To transfer the case to a different specialty panel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A supplemental report allows the QME to respond to additional records,
deposition testimony, or specific questions from the parties without repeating the
entire evaluation.
120 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. Who has ultimate authority to issue a QME panel when an injured worker is
unrepresented?
A. The employer's claims administrator
B. The Division of Workers' Compensation Medical Unit
C. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
D. The treating physician
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DWC Medical Unit generates and issues QME panels through its
random selection process; the parties do not select the evaluator directly in
unrepresented cases.
2. How many physicians are typically listed on a QME panel requested by an
unrepresented employee?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Five
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A standard QME panel consists of three physicians from which the
unrepresented employee selects one to perform the evaluation.
3. In a represented case, how is the QME typically selected from the panel?
A. The employee automatically picks the first name
B. The parties strike names alternately until one remains
C. The WCAB assigns one by lottery
D. The employer's attorney selects unilaterally
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In represented cases, each side may strike one name from the
three-physician panel, and the remaining physician becomes the QME.
,4. What is the primary distinction between a QME and an Agreed Medical
Evaluator (AME)?
A. A QME only treats psychiatric injuries
B. An AME is jointly selected by both represented parties, while a QME is obtained
through the panel process
C. A QME evaluates only spine injuries
D. There is no meaningful difference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An AME is chosen by mutual agreement between the applicant's attorney
and the defense, whereas a QME comes from the randomly generated
three-physician panel list.
5. What specialty designation must an evaluator hold to be eligible for QME
certification?
A. Board certification or eligibility in a specialty relevant to the disputed medical
issues, plus DWC-approved training
B. Any active California medical license regardless of training
C. A degree in occupational therapy only
D. Certification specifically in orthopedic surgery only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: QME certification requires an appropriate medical specialty credential
along with completion of DWC-mandated QME training and continuing education
requirements.
6. Within what timeframe must an unrepresented employee generally request a
replacement QME panel due to an untimely report?
A. There is no time limit
B. Within a reasonable period as specified in the regulations, typically tied to the
report due date
C. Immediately upon panel issuance
D. Only after the case settles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulations set specific deadlines tied to when a QME report is due; failure
of the QME to timely produce the report can trigger a right to a replacement panel
within the specified window.
,7. What happens if a QME fails to serve a timely medical-legal report without
good cause?
A. The report is automatically admissible regardless of delay
B. The party may be entitled to a new panel and the QME may face administrative
penalties
C. The claim is automatically denied
D. The employee loses the right to any evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Untimely reporting can result in the aggrieved party obtaining a
replacement panel, and repeated violations can expose the QME to administrative
sanctions from the DWC.
8. Can a treating physician also serve as the QME in the same case?
A. Yes, always
B. No, a QME must be independent and not have previously treated the employee
for the same injury
C. Only if both parties agree in writing after the fact
D. Only in psychiatric claims
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To preserve independence and objectivity, a physician who has treated the
injured worker generally cannot also serve as the QME evaluating the same claim.
9. What is an ex parte communication in the QME context?
A. A joint letter signed by both parties
B. One-sided communication with the QME by only one party outside the presence
or knowledge of the other
C. A communication approved by the WCAB
D. A required cover letter for all medical-legal reports
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ex parte communication refers to improper one-sided contact with the
evaluator that excludes the other party, which is prohibited to protect the evaluation's
neutrality.
, 10. Which document must accompany a QME panel request to help ensure
specialty appropriateness?
A. A request for panel form specifying the relevant specialty and the disputed
medical issue
B. A signed settlement agreement
C. A copy of the employee's tax return
D. A subpoena duces tecum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The panel request must identify the medical specialty most relevant to the
disputed issue so the Medical Unit can generate an appropriate panel.
11. If neither party objects to a QME's report within a designated period, what
generally happens to the report's evidentiary status?
A. It is automatically excluded
B. It stands as substantial medical evidence absent a timely, valid objection or
successful cross-examination
C. It must be re-done every year
D. It becomes binding only on the employer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Absent timely objection, deposition, or supplemental development of the
record, an unrebutted QME report is typically treated as substantial evidence on the
issues addressed.
12. What is the purpose of a supplemental QME report?
A. To replace the original evaluator entirely
B. To address specific follow-up questions or new information without requiring a
full new evaluation
C. To automatically increase the impairment rating
D. To transfer the case to a different specialty panel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A supplemental report allows the QME to respond to additional records,
deposition testimony, or specific questions from the parties without repeating the
entire evaluation.
