New Qualified Medical Examiner process regulation section 55.1 in effect on April 1, 2026 By Lonce Lamonte, editor, editing the CA DWC Newsline news release - January 28, 2026 The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) reminds all applicants for reappointment as a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) to fully satisfy the continuing education requirements of Labor Code section 55.1. by April 1, 2026. On February 28, 2024, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved DWC’s regulatory action which adopted new regulation § 55.1. That regulation enacted new educational requirements for Qualified Medical Evaluators seeking reappointment after April 1, 2026. The new criteria include: Read More

California Division of Workers' Compensation posts draft regulation establishing ranges for attorney deposition fees to online forum for public comment By Lonce Lamonte, editor, editing the CA DWC Newsline news release - January 26, 2026 The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted proposed ranges for attorney deposition fees to its online forum where members of the public may review and comment on the proposals. In the California workers’ compensation system, the Workers Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB), a workers’ compensation judge, or any party to the action or proceeding may request the deposition of a witness in matter before the WCAB, pursuant to Labor Code section 5710. If either the employer or the insurance carrier requests that an injured employee be deposed, that injured employee is entitled to receive, among other benefits, “a reasonable allowance for attorney’s fees” if they are represented by an attorney. Judges have discretion when awarding the fees, which are required to be paid by employer or its insurer. Read More

The California Division of Workers' Compensation issues notice of public hearing on February 27, 2026, for proposed evidence-based update and adoption to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule By Lonce Lamonte, editor, editing the CA DWC Newsline news release - January 26, 2026 The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has issued a Notice of Public Hearing on February 27, 2026 for proposed evidence-based updates to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), which can be found at California Code of Regulations, title 8, division 1, chapter 4.5, subchapter 1, article 5.5.2. The proposed evidence-based updates and adoption to the MTUS incorporate by reference the latest published guidelines from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) for the following: Proposed Amendment to Sections: •    9792.22 General Approaches - Initial Approaches to Treatment (ACOEM December 22, 2025) •    9792.23.9 Eye Disorders Guideline (ACOEM December 22, 2025) •    9792.24.2 Chronic Pain Guidelines (ACOEM December 22, 2025) The proposed evidence-based updates to the MTUS regulations are exempt from Labor Code sections 5307.3 and 5307.4 and the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. DWC is required under Labor Code section 5307.27 to have a 30-day public comment period, hold a public hearing, and respond to all the comments received during the public comment period prior to publishing the order adopting the update online. Read More

California Division of Workers' Compensation announces relocation of Santa Barbara district office to Goleta By Lonce Lamonte, editor, editing the CA DWC Newsline news release - January 21, 2026 The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) announced that the Santa Barbara district office will relocate to 120 Cremona Drive, #270 Goleta, CA 93117 as of January 22, 2026.   All hearings, filings and walk-throughs will be at the new Goleta address as of January 22. Read More

More News

January 16, 2026 - California Division of Workers' Compensation posts completed Utilization Review results for claims administrators conducted in 2025

January 15, 2026 - California Division of Workers' Compensation posts reminder for submission of Annual Report of Inventory for claims reported during calendar year 2025

January 13, 2026 - Division of Workers' Compensation now accepting applications for Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) exam on April 11-17

January 13, 2026 - Wildfires, Storms, Floods hit record high in insured losses

January 7, 2026 - California Division of Workers' Compensation announces release of Requests for Proposal to modernize EAMS

January 5, 2026 - Mileage rate for medical and medical-legal travel expenses increases effective January 1, 2026

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