Where this sits
- TITLE 8. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DIVISION 1. DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CHAPTER 1. DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION-QUALIFIED MEDICAL EVALUATOR
- Article 3. Assignment of Qualified Medical Evaluators, Evaluation Procedure
The regulation, as printed
The statute above this rule
Every regulation names the Labor Code it was written under. This is where the two halves of the law meet.
ImplementsLabor Code § 4061Labor Code § 4062Labor Code § 4062.1Labor Code § 4062.2Labor Code § 4062.3Labor Code § 4064Labor Code § 4067
Authority and history
Note: Authority cited: Sections 133, 139.2, 4061, 4062, 4062.3, 4062.5, 5307.3 and 5703.5, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 139.2, 4061, 4062, 4062.1, 4062.2, 4062.3, 4064 and 4067, Labor Code.
1. New section filed 1-13-2009; operative 2-17-2009 (Register 2009, No. 3). 2. Amendment of subsections (b)(1) and (b)(3) filed 12-31-2012 as an emergency; operative 1-1-2013 pursuant to Government Code section 11346.1(d) (Register 2013, No. 1). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 7-1-2013 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day. 3. Amendment of subsections (b)(1) and (b)(3) refiled 7-1-2013 as an emergency; operative 7-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 27). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 9-30-2013 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day. 4. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-1-2013 order, including amendment of subsections (a) and (b)(1)-(2) and new subsection (c) and Form 31.7, transmitted to OAL 8-2-2013 and filed 9-16-2013; amendments operative 9-16-2013 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2013, No. 38). 5. Change without regulatory effect amending form filed 2-16-2024 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2024, No. 7).
What panels did with this rule
Released decisions that named § 31.7, with the passage each turned on. A panel decision persuades; it does not bind.
- ADJ17870859 · 2026-04-23 · Lodi District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.7WCAB Rule 31.7 provides the specific procedure by which an additional panel in a different specialty may be obtained. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 31.7). WCAB Rule 31.7 states, in relevant part:
Applied to determine entitlement to additional neurology panel based on Dr. Chow's recommendation and unresolved neurological issues.
Official decision · page 7 → - ADJ12333976 · 2026-03-19 · Riverside District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.7(b) Upon a showing of good cause that a panel of QME physicians in a different specialty is needed to assist the parties reach an expeditious and just resolution of disputed medical issues in the case, the Medical Director shall issue an additional panel of QME physicians selected at random in the specialty requested. For the purpose of this section, good cause means:
The WCAB found good cause for an additional panel in internal medicine based on the applicant's allegations and the neurological PQME's testimony deferring to an internist.
Official decision · page 7 → - ADJ15539216 · 2025-10-03 · Lodi District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.7(a) Once an Agreed Medical Evaluator, an Agreed Panel QME, or a panel Qualified Medical Evaluator has issued a comprehensive medical-legal report in a case and a new medical dispute arises, the parties, to the extent possible, shall obtain a follow-up evaluation or a supplemental evaluation from the same evaluator.
The Appeals Board found no sufficient good cause shown for an additional panel in spine specialty.
Official decision · page 7 → - ADJ18784544 · 2025-08-19 · Van Nuys District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.5Rule 31.7(b) and (c) provide for an additional QME panel in another specialty as follows in relevant part:
The Board found that, absent party agreement, a WCJ order is necessary, but the record must support good cause.
Official decision · page 5 → - ADJ14784661 · 2025-08-01 · Van Nuys District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.3Administrative Director (AD) Rule 31.7(b) provides for an additional QME panel in
Applied to find good cause for additional panels in neurology and psychiatry.
Official decision · page 3 → - ADJ18210611 · 2025-05-08 · San Bernardino District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.4II. Turning now to the merits of the Petition, WCAB Rule 31.7 states that when a new medical dispute arises after the Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME), agreed panel QME, or panel QME has issued a comprehensive medical-legal report, the parties are to obtain a follow-up evaluation or supplemental report from the same evaluator. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 31.7(a).) If a panel QME
The Board applied this rule to determine good cause for additional QME panels.
Official decision · page 4 → - ADJ5787628 · 2025-05-05 · San Bernadino District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.8Administrative Director Rule 31.7(b) provides: (b) Upon a showing of good cause that a panel of QME physicians in a different specialty is needed to assist the parties reach an expeditious and just resolution of disputed medical issues in the case, the Medical Director shall issue an additional panel of QME physicians selected at random in the specialty requested. For the purpose of this section, good cause means:
Standards for additional QME panels in different specialties and the process for ordering them.
Official decision · page 8 → - ADJ14300773 · 2024-06-24 · Oxnard District Office8 CCR § 31.7
Determinative passage · p.7Administrative Director (AD) Rule 31.7(b) and (c) provide for an additional QME panel in another specialty as follows in relevant part:
Provides criteria and procedure for issuance of additional QME panels in different specialties upon showing of good cause.
Official decision · page 7 →
Rules beside this one
Article 3. Assignment of Qualified Medical Evaluators, Evaluation Procedure — regulations rarely stand alone, and the answer is often two sections away.