Appointment of Retired or Teaching Physicians. 8 CCR § 15

In order to be considered for appointment as a QME pursuant to Labor Code Section 139.2(c), a physician shall pass the QME competency examination and submit written documentation to the Administrative Director that he or she meets either (a), (b) or (c) of this section. The physician shall: (a) Be a current salaried faculty member at an accredited university or college, have a current license to practice as a physician and be engaged in teaching, lecturing, published writing or medical research at that university or college in the area of his or her specialty for not less than one-third of his or her professional time. The physician's practice in the three consecutive years immediately preceding the time of application shall not have been devoted solely to the forensic evaluation of disability. (b) Be retired from full-time practice; retain a current license to practice in California as a physician with his or her licensing board; and (1) Have a minimum of 25 years' experience in his or her practice as a physician; and (2) Have had a minimum of 10 years' experience in workers' compensation medical issues; and (3) Be practicing currently fewer than 10 hours per week on direct medical treatment as a physician; and (4) Not have engaged in a practice devoted solely to the forensic evaluation of disability during the three consecutive years immediately preceding the time of application. (c) Be retired from active practice due to a documented medical or physical disability as defined pursuant to Government Code section 12926 and currently practice in his or her specialty fewer than 10 hours per week. The physician shall have 10 years experience in workers' compensation medical issues as a physician. The physician's practice in the three consecutive years immediately preceding the time of application shall not have been devoted solely to the forensic evaluation of disability. (d) A physician appointed under section 11 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations or this section shall, notify the Administrative Director of changes in his or her status and shall complete the requirements for continuing education pursuant to section 55 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations prior to reappointment.