CALIFORNIA QUALIFIED MEDICAL EVALUATOR EXAMINATION
QME COMPETENCY EXAM BANK-
Updated Questions & Answers With Rationale
A+ Graded| Brand New Release!
This comprehensive 250-question practice exam is designed to prepare physicians for
the California Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) Competency Examination. The
questions are formatted with correct answers and short, high-yield rationales to
reinforce critical knowledge for the 2026/2027 exam cycle.
DOMAINS
1. QME Appointment, Authority & Regulatory Framework
2. California Workers' Compensation System Overview
3. Medical-Legal Report Writing & Required Elements
4. AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment
5. Causation, Apportionment & Substantial Evidence
6. Permanent Disability Ratings & Calculations
7. Evaluation Process, Ethics & Disclosures
8. Treatment, Future Care & Work Restrictions
9. Legal Rights, Depositions & Report Admissibility
10. Professional Practice & Quality Assurance
SECTION 1: QME APPOINTMENT, AUTHORITY & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
1. Who holds the authority to appoint physicians as Qualified Medical Evaluators
(QMEs)?
A) The California Medical Board
B) The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC)
C) The California State Legislature
,D) The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
Correct Answer: B. The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers'
Compensation (DWC)
Rationale: The Administrative Director of the DWC holds the statutory authority to
appoint physicians as QMEs, establishing requirements and administering the QME
program[citation:13].
2. What is the term of appointment for a QME?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale: QME appointments are for a term of two years. Physicians must reapply
and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their QME
status[citation:13].
3. Which entity is responsible for the certification, regulation, and discipline of
QMEs in California?
A) California Medical Board (CMB)
B) Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
C) Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) - Medical Unit
D) Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
,Correct Answer: C. Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) - Medical Unit
Rationale: The DWC Medical Unit administers the QME program, including
certification, renewal, audits, and disciplinary actions[citation:19].
4. What is the passing score required to pass the DWC QME Competency Exam?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C. 70%
Rationale: Candidates must pass the DWC QME test by achieving a score of 70%
or higher[citation:8].
5. What is the second requirement (besides passing the QME exam) to become a
certified QME?
A) One year of clinical practice
B) A mandatory report-writing course approved by the DWC
C) A background check
D) Publication of a research article
Correct Answer: B. A mandatory report-writing course approved by the DWC
Rationale: Candidates must both pass the DWC QME test (70%) and successfully
complete a mandatory report-writing course[citation:8][citation:18].
, 6. How many hours is the required disability evaluation report-writing course?
A) 8 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 16 hours
D) 24 hours
Correct Answer: B. 12 hours
Rationale: To be appointed as a QME, a physician must complete a 12-hour
disability evaluation report-writing course approved by the DWC[citation:18].
7. What is the required number of continuing education hours for QME
reappointment for applications received on or after April 1, 2026?
A) 12 hours within the previous 24 months
B) 16 hours within the previous 24 months
C) 20 hours within the previous 12 months
D) 24 hours within the previous 36 months
Correct Answer: B. 16 hours within the previous 24 months
Rationale: For applications received on or after April 1, 2026, a QME must
complete 16 hours of continuing education within the previous 24 months[citation:8].
8. The mandatory continuing education for QME reappointment (for applications
received on or after April 1, 2026) must include how many hours of disability
impairment rating instruction?
A) 2 hours
QME COMPETENCY EXAM BANK-
Updated Questions & Answers With Rationale
A+ Graded| Brand New Release!
This comprehensive 250-question practice exam is designed to prepare physicians for
the California Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) Competency Examination. The
questions are formatted with correct answers and short, high-yield rationales to
reinforce critical knowledge for the 2026/2027 exam cycle.
DOMAINS
1. QME Appointment, Authority & Regulatory Framework
2. California Workers' Compensation System Overview
3. Medical-Legal Report Writing & Required Elements
4. AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment
5. Causation, Apportionment & Substantial Evidence
6. Permanent Disability Ratings & Calculations
7. Evaluation Process, Ethics & Disclosures
8. Treatment, Future Care & Work Restrictions
9. Legal Rights, Depositions & Report Admissibility
10. Professional Practice & Quality Assurance
SECTION 1: QME APPOINTMENT, AUTHORITY & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
1. Who holds the authority to appoint physicians as Qualified Medical Evaluators
(QMEs)?
A) The California Medical Board
B) The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC)
C) The California State Legislature
,D) The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
Correct Answer: B. The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers'
Compensation (DWC)
Rationale: The Administrative Director of the DWC holds the statutory authority to
appoint physicians as QMEs, establishing requirements and administering the QME
program[citation:13].
2. What is the term of appointment for a QME?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale: QME appointments are for a term of two years. Physicians must reapply
and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their QME
status[citation:13].
3. Which entity is responsible for the certification, regulation, and discipline of
QMEs in California?
A) California Medical Board (CMB)
B) Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
C) Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) - Medical Unit
D) Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
,Correct Answer: C. Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) - Medical Unit
Rationale: The DWC Medical Unit administers the QME program, including
certification, renewal, audits, and disciplinary actions[citation:19].
4. What is the passing score required to pass the DWC QME Competency Exam?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C. 70%
Rationale: Candidates must pass the DWC QME test by achieving a score of 70%
or higher[citation:8].
5. What is the second requirement (besides passing the QME exam) to become a
certified QME?
A) One year of clinical practice
B) A mandatory report-writing course approved by the DWC
C) A background check
D) Publication of a research article
Correct Answer: B. A mandatory report-writing course approved by the DWC
Rationale: Candidates must both pass the DWC QME test (70%) and successfully
complete a mandatory report-writing course[citation:8][citation:18].
, 6. How many hours is the required disability evaluation report-writing course?
A) 8 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 16 hours
D) 24 hours
Correct Answer: B. 12 hours
Rationale: To be appointed as a QME, a physician must complete a 12-hour
disability evaluation report-writing course approved by the DWC[citation:18].
7. What is the required number of continuing education hours for QME
reappointment for applications received on or after April 1, 2026?
A) 12 hours within the previous 24 months
B) 16 hours within the previous 24 months
C) 20 hours within the previous 12 months
D) 24 hours within the previous 36 months
Correct Answer: B. 16 hours within the previous 24 months
Rationale: For applications received on or after April 1, 2026, a QME must
complete 16 hours of continuing education within the previous 24 months[citation:8].
8. The mandatory continuing education for QME reappointment (for applications
received on or after April 1, 2026) must include how many hours of disability
impairment rating instruction?
A) 2 hours
