Understanding how permanent disability is rated—and how responsibility is shared—is critical to ensuring accurate benefit delivery. This module explores the PD rating process, including use of the rating schedule, medical modifiers, and apportionment principles. You’ll learn how to interpret reports, apply the rating formula, and determine the portion of disability attributable to work-related causes. 3 hours, on-demand, and it counts toward the CPWC certification.
Taking several modules? The full CPWC certification covers all 24 and meets California’s 120-hour classroom requirement.
Average of verified CPWC student surveys
On-demand, built around a full-time job
Counts toward the CPWC certification
Take it on its own or as part of CPWC
The CPWC certification is made up of 24 modules totalling 120 hours, which meets California’s classroom training requirement for new claims adjusters under 10 CCR §2592. You can take any module on its own, or take the full certification.
Permanent Disability Rating and Apportionment.
Compensability, benefits, disability, liens, fraud, and more. $119 each.
MBR, Medical Only, or Indemnity. Choose by the claims you handle.
All 24 modules, 120 hours, meets the California requirement.
| Module code | CPWC20 |
|---|---|
| Format | Online and on-demand. Interactive reading, video, and assessments. |
| Length | About 3 hours |
| Continuing education | Earns CE credit |
| Reference material | Integrated with Sullivan on Comp |
| Counts toward | The CPWC certification |
| Prerequisites | None. CPWC modules can be taken in any order. |
| Price | $119 for this module, or from $1,079 for a full CPWC track |
This course is ideal for claims adjusters, hearing reps, and legal staff who handle permanent disability cases or settlements. It’s particularly valuable for those responsible for finalizing PD levels and defending rating decisions.
Procedure you can apply to a live file, not theory.
Counts toward the training California requires for your role.
Post-designation training runs 16 to 30 hours every two years depending on role.
Three things worth being clear about before you enroll.
It earns CE credit and counts toward CPWC. The certification needs the full hours for your track.
It teaches how to apply the rules in daily claims work. It does not replace counsel on a specific dispute.
Built around California statute, regulation and practice, not a national overview.
“It goes beyond the ‘what’ of the Labor Code to teach the ‘how’ of daily claims management, from mastering PD ratings to navigating MSA and subrogation hurdles. This program didn’t just give me a certification; it gave me the technical confidence to handle high-exposure claims.”
Ebony Hodge
“This course provided clear, practical insight into California workers compensation procedures, and structured settlements. It helped strengthen my understanding of compliance requirements and improved my confidence and handling complex claims.”
Bianca O
“I found that this course was very helpful to understand the intricacies of claims administration, as this can be a complicated system to navigate.”
Rita B.
No. CPWC modules can be taken in any order and this one has no prerequisites. It assumes you work with California workers’ compensation claims.
Causation. The reporting physician must state what approximate percentage of the permanent disability was caused directly by the industrial injury and what percentage by other factors, before and after it. An employee claiming an industrial injury must, on request, disclose all previous permanent disabilities or physical impairments. Sources: Labor Code §4663.
Yes. The employer is liable only for the percentage directly caused by the industrial injury. Where there is a prior award of permanent disability, that prior disability is conclusively presumed to still exist. Accumulated awards for the same region of the body may not exceed 100 percent over the employee’s lifetime, unless the injury is conclusively presumed total under §4662. Sources: Labor Code §4664.
No. It earns continuing education credit and counts toward the certification. CPWC requires the full set of modules for your track.
About 3 hours, on-demand and self-paced, so you can fit it around a full-time job.
Yes. CPWC20 earns continuing education credit and counts toward the CPWC certification.
Yes. The module is integrated with Sullivan on Comp for the legal reference behind each rule.
It depends on your role. Under 10 CCR §2592 a new indemnity claims adjuster needs 160 hours including 120 classroom hours; a medical-only adjuster needs 80 hours including 50 classroom; a medical bill reviewer needs 40 hours including 30 classroom. All must be completed within 12 consecutive months. The three CPWC tracks are built to those tiers. A single module does not meet the requirement on its own.
Yes. Post-designation training is 30 hours every two years for indemnity adjusters, 20 hours for medical-only adjusters and 16 hours for medical bill reviewers. Failing to complete it causes loss of designation until the training is done. Source: 10 CCR §§2592.02, 2592.03, 2592.04, 2592.14.
If you need several modules, yes. Modules are $119 each; full tracks start at $1,079 for MBR and cover the hours California requires for that role.
Regulatory figures on this page were verified against Sullivan on Comp in August 2026. Confirm current deadlines against the Department of Industrial Relations and Department of Insurance before relying on them for a live claim.
Enroll in Permanent Disability Rating and Apportionment for $119, or take a full CPWC track from $1,079.
Not sure which track fits? Read the CPWC certification overview, or browse the other 23 modules.
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