QME Exam 2024 (Actual Exam with 350
Questions, Correct Detailed Verified Answers,
Graded A+)
Instructions
● This test contains multiple-choice questions designed to mimic the QME Exam for 2024.
● Each question includes four answer options (A–D).
● Select the best answer for each question.
● Correct answers are provided with detailed rationales to explain the reasoning.
● Questions cover key QME domains: workers’ compensation laws, medical-legal report
writing, impairment rating (AMA Guides, 5th Edition), apportionment, causation, and case
law.
Question 1
Who holds the authority to appoint physicians as QME evaluators in California?
A. Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
B. Administrative Director (AD)
C. Department of Health Services
D. Office of the Governor
Correct Answer: B. Administrative Director
Rationale : The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is
responsible for appointing physicians as Qualified Medical Examiners under Labor Code Section
139.2.
Question 2
What is the term of appointment for a QME evaluator?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
,C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale : According to Labor Code Section 139.2, QME evaluators are appointed for a term of
two years, renewable upon meeting reappointment criteria.
Question 3
What is the standard of proof required for a QME’s medical-legal conclusions?
A. Medical possibility
B. Medical probability
C. Medical certainty
D. Reasonable suspicion
Correct Answer: B. Medical probability
Rationale : The Escobedo case established that QME opinions must be based on reasonable
medical probability, meaning the conclusion is more likely than not based on superior evidence,
making the report substantial evidence.
Question 4
What does “permanent and stationary” mean in the context of workers’ compensation?
A. Condition is worsening
B. Condition requires surgery
C. Condition has reached maximal medical improvement
D. Condition is temporary
Correct Answer: C. Condition has reached maximal medical improvement
Rationale : Permanent and stationary status indicates that the injured worker’s condition has
stabilized and is unlikely to improve significantly with further treatment.
Question 5
Which case clarified that medical treatment is not apportionable?
A. Benson
B. Granado
,C. Guzman
D. Rolda
Correct Answer: B. Granado
Rationale : The Granado case established that medical treatment costs cannot be apportioned
between industrial and non-industrial causes, ensuring full treatment for work-related injuries.
Question 6
What is the first step in evaluating compensability of a psychiatric injury under Rolda?
A. Determine if personnel actions were lawful
B. Assess if actual events of employment were involved
C. Calculate whole person impairment
D. Evaluate apportionment percentage
Correct Answer: B. Assess if actual events of employment were involved
Rationale : The Rolda case outlines a four-step process for psychiatric injuries, starting with
determining whether the injury involved actual events of employment, with the burden of proof on
the injured worker.
Question 7
Which case allows for alternative disability ratings in complex cases?
A. Escobedo
B. Benson
C. Guzman
D. Granado
Correct Answer: C. Guzman
Rationale : The Guzman (Almaraz-Guzman) case permits alternative whole person impairment
(WPI) ratings when AMA Guides do not accurately reflect impairment, provided the rating is
based on the Guides and is accurate.
Question 8
What is a key requirement for a QME when seeking appointment?
, A. Publish a medical journal article
B. Pass the QME competency exam
C. Complete a surgical residency
D. Obtain a law degree
Correct Answer: B. Pass the QME competency exam
Rationale : One of the three requirements for QME appointment is passing the QME
competency exam, along with meeting licensure and training criteria.
Question 9
In the Benson case, what happens if impairments from different injury dates cannot be
separated?
A. They are apportioned equally
B. They are considered inextricably intertwined
C. They are rated separately regardless
D. They are dismissed
Correct Answer: B. They are considered inextricably intertwined
Rationale : The Benson case clarified that if impairments from different injury dates cannot be
parceled out, they may be rated as “inextricably intertwined” to avoid unfair apportionment.
Question 10
What is the burden of proof for industrial causation in a psychiatric injury?
A. Less than 50%
B. Greater than 50%
C. 100%
D. 35–40%
Correct Answer: B. Greater than 50%
Rationale : Under the Rolda framework, the injured worker must prove that the psychiatric injury
has greater than 50% industrial causation.
Question 11
What does the Blackledge case require of a QME physician?
Questions, Correct Detailed Verified Answers,
Graded A+)
Instructions
● This test contains multiple-choice questions designed to mimic the QME Exam for 2024.
● Each question includes four answer options (A–D).
● Select the best answer for each question.
● Correct answers are provided with detailed rationales to explain the reasoning.
● Questions cover key QME domains: workers’ compensation laws, medical-legal report
writing, impairment rating (AMA Guides, 5th Edition), apportionment, causation, and case
law.
Question 1
Who holds the authority to appoint physicians as QME evaluators in California?
A. Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
B. Administrative Director (AD)
C. Department of Health Services
D. Office of the Governor
Correct Answer: B. Administrative Director
Rationale : The Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is
responsible for appointing physicians as Qualified Medical Examiners under Labor Code Section
139.2.
Question 2
What is the term of appointment for a QME evaluator?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
,C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale : According to Labor Code Section 139.2, QME evaluators are appointed for a term of
two years, renewable upon meeting reappointment criteria.
Question 3
What is the standard of proof required for a QME’s medical-legal conclusions?
A. Medical possibility
B. Medical probability
C. Medical certainty
D. Reasonable suspicion
Correct Answer: B. Medical probability
Rationale : The Escobedo case established that QME opinions must be based on reasonable
medical probability, meaning the conclusion is more likely than not based on superior evidence,
making the report substantial evidence.
Question 4
What does “permanent and stationary” mean in the context of workers’ compensation?
A. Condition is worsening
B. Condition requires surgery
C. Condition has reached maximal medical improvement
D. Condition is temporary
Correct Answer: C. Condition has reached maximal medical improvement
Rationale : Permanent and stationary status indicates that the injured worker’s condition has
stabilized and is unlikely to improve significantly with further treatment.
Question 5
Which case clarified that medical treatment is not apportionable?
A. Benson
B. Granado
,C. Guzman
D. Rolda
Correct Answer: B. Granado
Rationale : The Granado case established that medical treatment costs cannot be apportioned
between industrial and non-industrial causes, ensuring full treatment for work-related injuries.
Question 6
What is the first step in evaluating compensability of a psychiatric injury under Rolda?
A. Determine if personnel actions were lawful
B. Assess if actual events of employment were involved
C. Calculate whole person impairment
D. Evaluate apportionment percentage
Correct Answer: B. Assess if actual events of employment were involved
Rationale : The Rolda case outlines a four-step process for psychiatric injuries, starting with
determining whether the injury involved actual events of employment, with the burden of proof on
the injured worker.
Question 7
Which case allows for alternative disability ratings in complex cases?
A. Escobedo
B. Benson
C. Guzman
D. Granado
Correct Answer: C. Guzman
Rationale : The Guzman (Almaraz-Guzman) case permits alternative whole person impairment
(WPI) ratings when AMA Guides do not accurately reflect impairment, provided the rating is
based on the Guides and is accurate.
Question 8
What is a key requirement for a QME when seeking appointment?
, A. Publish a medical journal article
B. Pass the QME competency exam
C. Complete a surgical residency
D. Obtain a law degree
Correct Answer: B. Pass the QME competency exam
Rationale : One of the three requirements for QME appointment is passing the QME
competency exam, along with meeting licensure and training criteria.
Question 9
In the Benson case, what happens if impairments from different injury dates cannot be
separated?
A. They are apportioned equally
B. They are considered inextricably intertwined
C. They are rated separately regardless
D. They are dismissed
Correct Answer: B. They are considered inextricably intertwined
Rationale : The Benson case clarified that if impairments from different injury dates cannot be
parceled out, they may be rated as “inextricably intertwined” to avoid unfair apportionment.
Question 10
What is the burden of proof for industrial causation in a psychiatric injury?
A. Less than 50%
B. Greater than 50%
C. 100%
D. 35–40%
Correct Answer: B. Greater than 50%
Rationale : Under the Rolda framework, the injured worker must prove that the psychiatric injury
has greater than 50% industrial causation.
Question 11
What does the Blackledge case require of a QME physician?
