A Complete Guide to the California Workers Compensation Training Program
WebCE Staff
By
December 31, 2025
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) does not issue individual licenses for workers’ compensation adjusters. Instead, the legal burden falls entirely on the insurer to certify that every person touching a file is either trained or experienced.
During a CDI Curriculum Audit, “we thought they were experienced” is not a legal defense. If a professional lacks documented proof of eligibility for an Experienced Claims Adjuster designation under 10 CCR § 2592.12, their organization faces significant administrative penalties and the potential invalidation of claims handling actions.
Download the Complete Guide to the California Workers Compensation Training Program
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) holds insurers to strict standards that are often misunderstood. To help you navigate these requirements without hitting an audit snag, we’ve developed an exhaustive guide covering the full spectrum of 10 CCR § 2592.01–2592.14.
Below, we’ve summarized the essential pillars of the program that every claims professional must master.
What is California Workers Compensation Training?
Training under California regulations ensures that those handling claims possess a standardized level of skill and knowledge. The mandated curriculum is broad, covering everything from the historical roots of the system to technical expertise in:
Medical Terminology & Fee Schedules – Understanding billing codes and utilization guidelines.
Legal Procedures – Navigating the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) and fraud investigation.
Benefit Administration – Correctly calculating temporary and permanent disability.
Who is CA Workers’ Compensation Training For?
California’s workers’ compensation training requirements apply to two primary groups:
Claims Adjusters – including those handling full indemnity claims and “medical-only” claims.
Note: Medical-Only Claims Adjusters handle claims limited to medical treatment with no indemnity payments.
Medical Bill Reviewers (MBRs) - Individuals or entities responsible for evaluating the accuracy and compliance of medical provider billings.
CA Workers’ Compensation Training Requirements & Hourly Standards
CDI regulations require insurers to ensure adjusters complete the following minimum training hours unless exempt with an Experienced Claims Adjuster designation:
Claims Adjusters: 160 Total Hours (min. 120 classroom hours)
Medical-Only Claims Adjusters: 80 Total Hours (min. 50 classroom hours)
Medical Bill Reviewers: 40 Total Hours (min. 30 classroom hours)
Experience Exemptions
Not everyone is required to sit through the initial 160-hour curriculum. Under Section 2592.12, an individual can receive an Experienced Claims Adjuster designation if they meet specific criteria:
Claims Adjusters: Must have five years of on-the-job experience in the last eight years adjusting California workers' compensation claims (or have passed the Self-Insurance Exam).
Medical-Only Claims Adjusters: Must have three years of experience in the last five years.
Medical Bill Reviewers: Must have three years of experience in the last five years specifically in medical bill review.
Key Compliance Note: If you meet these requirements, your employer or insurer may certify you as an Experienced Claims Adjuster under 10 CCR § 2592.12 in place of the initial training hours. Employers are responsible for maintaining documentation supporting training and/or designation eligibility and must produce records upon CDI request. An Experienced Claims Adjuster is not permanent, however, as a lapse in post-designation training results in loss of authorization to adjust claims until the outstanding hours are completed.
Maintaining Authorization: Post-Designation Compliance
Designation is not the final step, but an ongoing requirement. Under 10 CCR § 2592.05, professionals must complete specific post-designation training every two years to remain authorized to handle claims.
The required hours for each two-year cycle are:
Claims Adjusters: 30 hours.
Medical-Only Claims Adjusters: 20 hours.
Medical Bill Reviewers: 16 hours.
Failure to meet these bi-annual requirements results in an immediate loss of designation. The individual is no longer authorized to adjust claims until the hourly deficiency is addressed, which can create significant operational gaps and audit liabilities for the insurer: an unauthorized adjuster’s actions can be invalidated, and the insurer could face administrative penalties during a CDI Curriculum Audit.
Building a system that tracks these hours and ensures every team member stays compliant is a complex task. WebCE offers tailored business solutions for insurance agents, HR managers, and compliance officers tasked with creating and managing a California-compliant training program. Our resources simplify the learning process and provide the actionable framework your company needs to ensure long-term success and regulatory accuracy.
Build Your California Workers’ Compensation Training Program with WebCE