California QME Exam Dates 2026 and 2027

October 2026 Exam

Exam Window: October 3–9, 2026

Application Deadline: August 19, 2026 (passed; applications are now closed for this exam cycle)

April 2027 Exam

Dates not yet announced by DWC

In 2026 the April exam ran April 11 to 17, with a February 25 postmark deadline, and DWC announced it in January.

Application deadlines are usually set about six to seven weeks before the exam window, so plan to have your license, training hours, and required documentation ready well before dates are released

Don't wait for the announcement to start preparing. Application windows can be short once they open, and candidates who've already completed their training hours and reviewed exam content are best positioned to apply the moment DWC opens registration.

Get early access: be notified when April 2027 registration opens →

The California QME exam is required for doctors who want to perform Qualified Medical Evaluations in California workers' compensation cases. QMEs evaluate injured workers, determine impairment using the AMA Guides 5th Edition, and prepare medical-legal reports for the California Division of Workers' Compensation.

Mail your completed QME Form 100 and Form 102, with the $125 fee, to the DWC Medical Unit at the address in the application packet. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline; late or incomplete applications are returned. Questions: 510-286-3700 or QMETest@dir.ca.gov.

Official exam information from the DWC: dir.ca.gov/dwc/MedicalUnit 

Pearson VUE registration: pearsonvue.com/us/en/qme.html 

Each profession has its own path to appointment as a QME (8 CCR section 11, updated February 2024). Every applicant needs an active California license.

• Medical doctors and osteopaths: a residency certificate or specialty board certification, a 16-hour disability evaluation report writing course and 2 hours of anti-bias training. At least one-third of practice time must go to direct patient treatment.

• Chiropractors: a 25-hour Workers' Compensation Evaluation certificate earned within three years before applying. It includes the 2 anti-bias hours and replaces the report writing course.

• Psychologists: a doctoral degree plus at least five years of postdoctoral treatment experience, the 16-hour report writing course and 2 hours of anti-bias training.

• Acupuncturists: the 16-hour report writing course and 2 hours of anti-bias training. Acupuncturists take a separate QME exam.

• Dentists, optometrists and podiatrists: the 16-hour report writing course and 2 hours of anti-bias training.

The report writing course and anti-bias training must be finished before appointment. Always confirm current requirements with the DWC Medical Unit.

Preparing for the QME exam requires knowledge of:

California workers' compensation law

Medical-legal report writing

Impairment rating using AMA Guides 5th Edition

Case analysis and documentation

Ethical and professional standards

Many physicians choose structured preparation programs to review key topics and practice exam-style questions. QME Review provides:

Realistic QME exam simulations with over 2,000 questions across 20 test banks

AMA Guides 5th Edition review

Medical-legal report writing guidance

California workers' compensation concepts

Self-paced learning for busy physicians

Read next: How to Become a QME in California, QME Example Questions and QME Exam FAQs.

Becoming a Qualified Medical Evaluator can help physicians:

Expand professional opportunities

Participate in medical-legal practice

Serve injured workers and the legal system

Develop expertise in impairment rating and occupational medicine

California continues to need experienced QMEs, and many physicians begin this path every year.

The California QME exam fee is $125. It is nonrefundable and does not carry over to a later exam. Submit the original Application for Appointment as Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME Form 100) and the exam registration form (QME Form 102) with the fee to the DWC Medical Unit. CPS HR Consulting then emails eligible candidates a registration notice, and the exam is taken on computer at a Pearson VUE test center.