CALIFORNIA QUALIFIED MEDICAL EVALUATOR (QME)
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I QME Regulations, Appointment 1–50 2–5
Procedures & Administrative
Requirements
II Clinical Assessment, Evaluation 51–100 5–8
& Medical Treatment
III Disability, Impairment, MMI, 101–150 8–11
P&S & Apportionment
IV Medical-Legal Report Writing, 151–200 11–15
Ethics & Substantial Medical
Evidence
,SECTION I: QME Regulations, Appointment Procedures &
Administrative Requirements (Questions 1–50)
1. Who holds the statutory authority to appoint physicians as Qualified
Medical Evaluators (QMEs) in California?
A. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
B. The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation
(DWC)
C. The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
D. The Disability Evaluation Unit (DEU)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Labor Code § 139.2 grants the Administrative Director of the
DWC the authority to appoint qualified physicians as QMEs, maintain
the QME list, and oversee the certification process.
2. What is the duration of a QME certification before it must be
renewed?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Labor Code § 139.2, a QME certification is valid for
two years. Physicians must reapply and meet continuing education
requirements to maintain their certification.
3. Which of the following is NOT a prerequisite for an initial QME
appointment?
A. Passing the QME competency examination
B. Completing a 12-hour course in medical-legal report writing
,C. Devoting at least one-fourth of total practice time to direct medical
treatment
D. Devoting at least one-third of total practice time to direct medical
treatment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The three requirements are: (1) pass the exam, (2) complete
a 12-hour course, and (3) devote at least one-third (not one-fourth) of
total practice time to direct medical treatment or meet the AME
alternative.
4. A QME may be terminated or suspended without a formal hearing for
which of the following reasons?
A. Violation of a material statutory duty
B. The licensing board revokes the physician's license to practice
C. Failure to follow medical procedures or qualifications
D. Preparation of inadequate medical-legal evaluations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Only two grounds permit termination without a hearing: (1)
licensing board action against the physician's license, and (2) failure to
pay the required fee. All other grounds require a due process hearing.
5. Which of the following is a reason for discipline
(suspension/termination) of a QME that requires a formal hearing?
A. Failure to pay the required yearly fee
B. Licensing board suspension of the physician's license
C. Making material misrepresentations in an application for
appointment
D. Both A and B
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Making material misrepresentations or false statements in
an application is one of the six grounds requiring a hearing. Failure to
pay fees and licensing board actions are administrative grounds that do
not require a hearing.
6. What is the maximum number of full-time equivalent physicians a
QME can supervise and still qualify as devoting one-third time to direct
treatment?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The one-third direct treatment requirement is based on the
QME's own practice. Supervising more than two full-time equivalent
physicians (including residents and interns) may disqualify the QME
from meeting this requirement.
7. How many hours of continuing education must a QME complete
within the previous 24 months for reappointment?
A. 10 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 16 hours
D. 24 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Title 8 CCR § 55.1, a QME must complete 16 hours of
continuing education in disability evaluation or workers' compensation
related medical dispute evaluation within the previous 24 months of
their term of appointment.
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I QME Regulations, Appointment 1–50 2–5
Procedures & Administrative
Requirements
II Clinical Assessment, Evaluation 51–100 5–8
& Medical Treatment
III Disability, Impairment, MMI, 101–150 8–11
P&S & Apportionment
IV Medical-Legal Report Writing, 151–200 11–15
Ethics & Substantial Medical
Evidence
,SECTION I: QME Regulations, Appointment Procedures &
Administrative Requirements (Questions 1–50)
1. Who holds the statutory authority to appoint physicians as Qualified
Medical Evaluators (QMEs) in California?
A. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
B. The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation
(DWC)
C. The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
D. The Disability Evaluation Unit (DEU)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Labor Code § 139.2 grants the Administrative Director of the
DWC the authority to appoint qualified physicians as QMEs, maintain
the QME list, and oversee the certification process.
2. What is the duration of a QME certification before it must be
renewed?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Labor Code § 139.2, a QME certification is valid for
two years. Physicians must reapply and meet continuing education
requirements to maintain their certification.
3. Which of the following is NOT a prerequisite for an initial QME
appointment?
A. Passing the QME competency examination
B. Completing a 12-hour course in medical-legal report writing
,C. Devoting at least one-fourth of total practice time to direct medical
treatment
D. Devoting at least one-third of total practice time to direct medical
treatment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The three requirements are: (1) pass the exam, (2) complete
a 12-hour course, and (3) devote at least one-third (not one-fourth) of
total practice time to direct medical treatment or meet the AME
alternative.
4. A QME may be terminated or suspended without a formal hearing for
which of the following reasons?
A. Violation of a material statutory duty
B. The licensing board revokes the physician's license to practice
C. Failure to follow medical procedures or qualifications
D. Preparation of inadequate medical-legal evaluations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Only two grounds permit termination without a hearing: (1)
licensing board action against the physician's license, and (2) failure to
pay the required fee. All other grounds require a due process hearing.
5. Which of the following is a reason for discipline
(suspension/termination) of a QME that requires a formal hearing?
A. Failure to pay the required yearly fee
B. Licensing board suspension of the physician's license
C. Making material misrepresentations in an application for
appointment
D. Both A and B
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Making material misrepresentations or false statements in
an application is one of the six grounds requiring a hearing. Failure to
pay fees and licensing board actions are administrative grounds that do
not require a hearing.
6. What is the maximum number of full-time equivalent physicians a
QME can supervise and still qualify as devoting one-third time to direct
treatment?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The one-third direct treatment requirement is based on the
QME's own practice. Supervising more than two full-time equivalent
physicians (including residents and interns) may disqualify the QME
from meeting this requirement.
7. How many hours of continuing education must a QME complete
within the previous 24 months for reappointment?
A. 10 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 16 hours
D. 24 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Title 8 CCR § 55.1, a QME must complete 16 hours of
continuing education in disability evaluation or workers' compensation
related medical dispute evaluation within the previous 24 months of
their term of appointment.
