California Regulations 55 69

(a) There are three types of authorized providers of continuing education courses:

(1) The Council, which may give credit for: (A) Participation in either a pre or post - QME competency examination review panel. A physician shall receive six hours credit for one day of participation in test preparation and development. (B) Instruction for an approved course. The instructor shall receive one hour credit for each hour of instruction in an approved provider's course regardless of the number of times the course is offered during the year. (2) Providers of Courses for which the QME receives or would be eligible to receive continuing education credit from his or her professional licensing board or agency for the renewal of his or her professional license, provided that the course is in the area of impairment evaluation or California workers' compensation-related medical dispute evaluation. To obtain credit for this type of course, the QME must submit documentation of: (A) proof of attendance (B) the course outline (C) proof of course credit acceptable to licensing board. (3) Individuals, partnerships, corporations, associations, organizations, organized health care systems, educational institutions or governmental agencies offering continuing education courses, other than those listed in (1) and (2). In the case of a national organization seeking accreditation, the California Chapter or organization affiliated with the national organization shall be accredited by the Council in lieu of the national organization.

(b) In order for a provider listed in Section 53(a)(3) to offer continuing education courses, that provider must receive prior annual approval or reapproval from the Council.

(c) To apply for approval as a provider, as listed in Section 53(a)(3), the provider shall submit to the Council, at least 30 calendar days before any public advertisement of the course provider's course(s) is made, written materials describing: (1) Curriculum vit' of the instructors which demonstrate that the instructors meet the following criteria: (A) if they are physicians, either 1. or 2., and in addition, 3. of this subsection: 1. Board certification related to the subject matter of the course; or 2. completion of academic studies related to the subject matter of the course; and 3. six months' work experience within the previous year in an area related to the subject matter of the courses; (B) if they are non-physicians, either 1. or 2., and in addition, 3. of this subsection: 1. completion of academic studies related to the subject matter of the course; or 2. completion of specialized training related to the subject matter of the course; and 3. one year of work experience within the previous two years in an area related to the subject matter of the course. (2) The rationale for the course(s) and a statement as to how the rationale was determined. (3) The description of the content of the course(s), and how it relates to disability evaluation and/or California workers' compensation-related medical dispute evaluation. No unit credit shall be recognized by the IMC for material solely discussing billing/collection issues. (4) The educational objectives that can be realistically accomplished within the frame work of the course(s). (5) The teaching methods for the course(s) (e.g. lecture, seminar or distance learning programs (defined as approved out-of-classroom instruction), audio-visual, simulation). In lieu of physical attendance of a course, physicians may obtain credit for studying an approved course consisting of, but not limited to visual tapes, audio tapes or computer program version. The provider shall include a self-examination based on the course material. The QME's test shall be graded by the provider. Credit for the course can be given only for a passing rate of no lower than 70 percent correct responses. (6) The method for evaluating the effectiveness of the course(s), (e.g. written examination, or written evaluation by each participant). The provider shall provide a copy of the self-examination to the Council. (7) Any written materials that will be distributed to course participants.

(d) The Council shall notify the provider within 30 calendar days following the next scheduled council meeting after receipt of the application containing all the information listed in Section 53(c) whether that provider has been approved for a one year period.

(e) A provider which has received Council approval will be given a Council approval number which must be displayed on any public advertisements for that provider. Course materials and tests must be submitted to the Council for annual review 30 days prior to the expiration of the one year period as specified in Section 53(d). The Council shall monitor a provider's course(s) as necessary to determine if the provider meets the criteria for approval.

(f) The providers described in Section 53(a)(3) shall maintain attendance records for each Council-approved continuing education course(s) given for a period of at least two years after the course was given. The Council may randomly audit these attendance records at any time. Providers shall be required to give the IMC's Evaluation Form ( 53.1) to attendees and request they submit the form to the IMC. This information shall not be used in lieu of a certification of completion given by the provider, as specified pursuant to section (i).

(g) The Council may monitor a provider's course(s) as necessary to determine if the provider meets the criteria for approval. The Council may randomly audit courses given by Section 53(a)(3) providers in addition to auditing courses given by those providers for which a complaint is received.

(h) The Council may withdraw approval of individual providers or deny such a provider's application for course(s) approval on the following grounds (in addition to failure to meet the relevant requirements of sub-Section 53(c)):

(1) Conviction of a felony or any offense substantially related to the activities of the provider. (2) Material misrepresentation of fact by the provider.

(i) When a QME applies for re-appointment, he or she shall submit a certificate of completion which shall list the dates, locations, and titles of continuing education courses and the names of the providers of those courses which he or she has taken to meet the requirement of Labor Code Section 139.2(d)(3), as well as the number of hours of attendance at each course. If providers of the courses are among those described in section 53(a)(3), the QME must also list the approval number of each course.

(j) A provider may offer different courses during the one year approval period provided the subject matter is in disability evaluation or workers compensation related medical dispute resolution.

History: Renumbering of former section 53 to section 55 effective 5/14/00.