How Many QME Evaluations Can I Accept Each Month?
California regulations do not impose a strict monthly quota on how many Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) exams you may perform. Instead, the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) governs volume indirectly through daily scheduling limits and strict report-timeliness rules. In practice, your monthly capacity equals the number of evaluations you can (1) schedule within 60 days and (2) report on within 30 days—without breaching daily caps.
Regulatory Daily Caps
- No more than 9 comprehensive evaluations (ML200) in a single day
- No more than 12 follow-up or supplemental evaluations (ML204) in the same day
These limits appear in California Code of Regulations, Title 8, §40(e). Exceeding them can trigger an audit or disciplinary action. See the full text on the DWC website: CCR §40 – Scheduling Limits.
Real-World Capacity Scenarios
| Scheduling Pattern | Evals/Day | Clinic Days/Month | Monthly Evals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 QME day/week | 5 comprehensive | 4 | ≈ 20 |
| 2 QME half-days/week | 3 comprehensive | 8 | ≈ 24 |
| Full-time QME focus | 7 comprehensive | 12 | ≈ 80* |
*You would also need several report-writing days and streamlined workflows to stay within the 30-day reporting deadline.
Timeliness Rules That Control Volume
- 60-Day Exam-Scheduling Deadline — CCR §34• you must offer an appointment within 60 days of panel assignment.
- 30-Day Report-Service Deadline — CCR §38• the comprehensive report must be served within 30 days of the exam.
If your caseload makes you routinely request extensions or miss deadlines, the DWC Medical Unit can suspend your ability to receive new panels.
Practical Monthly Capacity Benchmarks
• Side-gig physicians (one QME day/month): 5–10 comprehensive exams
• Moderate supplement (weekly QME day): 15–25 exams
• High-volume or full-time QMEs: 40–80 exams when supported by dedicated report-writing time and staff
Bottom Line
Your “ceiling” is determined less by a formal monthly limit and more by your ability to honor the 60-/30-day timelines and comply with the daily cap of 9 comprehensive exams. Many successful part-time evaluators schedule 15–20 evaluations per month and devote one additional day to report writing, striking a balance between clinical practice, quality, and profitability.