Become a California workers' comp claims professional

The State of California requires that Indemnity, Medical Only and Medical Bill Review adjusters meet  meet specific training and experience requirements under Title 10, Section 2592 of the California Code of Regulations. There is no additional State exam required. The CPWC certification meets the classroom requirement for the State of California

Workers’ compensation claims adjusters do not need a license, rather, California requires that companies ensure their workers’ comp adjusters meet specific training and experience requirements under Title 10, Section 2592 of the California Code of Regulations. New adjusters must complete 160 hours of training of which 120 hours must be classroom. The CPWC certification meets the classroom requirement for the State of California

CPWC stands for Certified Professional in Workers’ Compensation. This program fulfills the State of California’s 120-hour training requirement for new claims adjusters and equips students with the core knowledge and practical skills needed to manage California workers’ compensation claims confidently and compliantly.

The program can be completed in as little as one month, depending on your pace. California requires all newly hired claims adjusters to complete the 120-hour training within one year of enrollment.

CPWC is ideal for:

• New workers’ compensation claims adjusters
• Professionals transitioning into claims from HR, risk, or allied fields
• Claims assistants or support roles preparing for adjuster positions
• Employers or carriers training new claims staff
• Individuals seeking a structured, state-approved training pathway

Yes. CPWC requires access to Sullivan on Comp (SOC), the leading treatise in California workers’ compensation. SOC is subscription-based. Students receive 1, 3, or 6-month access depending on enrollment choice.

Yes. After completing all lessons and passing all exams with a score of 70 percent or higher, you will receive your CPWC certificate. This certificate verifies completion of California’s 120-hour adjuster training requirement.

The CPWC program covers:

• Workers’ compensation principles and terminology
• California laws and regulatory requirements
• Claims handling and investigation
• Benefits, medical treatment, and disability
• Reserving fundamentals
• Return-to-work processes
• Case management and file documentation
• Communication and professional practice
• Ethics and compliance
• Practical skills required for new adjusters

No state agency “approves” specific training providers. Adjuster training is mandated by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), and the California Department of Insurance does not review or approve individual courses. The Department of Insurance only publishes the curriculum topics the training should cover. Final acceptance of any program rests with the insurer or self-insured employer, who approves the curriculum and either hires a provider like IEA or builds their own training.

Classroom delivery was modified during the Covid pandemic to allow non-contact, interactive instruction, and those methods have continued with no directive discontinuing them. A key factor is interactivity: if the provider can answer questions during the course, the training may satisfy the insurer’s requirements. Because the state does not enforce or oversee these courses, the insurer or employer makes the final determination.

Yes. IEA has trained workers’ comp claims professionals for leading insurers, TPAs, and public agencies across California, including Sedgwick, CorVel, Travelers, Chubb, the Department of Industrial Relations, and the City and County of San Francisco. Our CPWC certification delivers the classroom hours and curriculum your claims processors and medical bill reviewers need.

Yes. CPWC is tailored exclusively to California’s workers’ compensation system and meets the state’s adjuster training requirements.

Yes. CPWC prepares you for entry-level adjuster roles and strengthens your qualifications for:

• Claims adjuster
• Claims examiner
• Claims assistant or trainee
• Workers’ compensation coordinator
• HR or risk management roles requiring claims knowledge
• Third-party administrator or carrier support roles
• Future leadership roles in claims as you gain experience

Yes. The program is fully online and self-paced, allowing you to progress at a speed that matches your schedule while still meeting the state’s one-year completion requirement.