ABFP Impairment Re-Certification
All impairment rating certificates have expired for the AMA Guides 5th edition at the end of 2005.  Since there has not been a new edition of the Guides, re-certification only requires a re-exam (concepts).  The fee for the ABFP re-certification examination is $150.

Click here to download your application for re-certification.

ABFP Impairment Certification
Click here to print the Impairment Rating Certification Application.

A provider seeking to become certified in impairment by the American Board of Forensic Professionals (ABFP) must satisfactorily complete a minimum of:

1. 36 hours in the 5th edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Official college transcripts need to be provided to verify completion of hours.
   
   OR
   
   
2. A 12 hour update, must have proof of a 36 hour (with a minimum of 6 hours covering the organ systems) 4th edition course (1993-2000). Education may be obtained from any institution having status with an accredited agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or program acceptable to the ABFP. Any postgraduate course being used to meet these requirements is subject to approval and must be verified in writing by the ABFP.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Candidates should submit all completed application materials to the ABFP. These documents will include, but may not be limited to, a typewritten (or printed legibly) and signed application, and an official transcript(s) from the educational institution(s) documenting completion of the required hours. These documents will be submitted to the American Board of Forensic Professionals with the required exam fee as noted on the application.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

ABFP provides equal opportunity/access to all eligible examination candidates. To become certified in impairment rating from the American Board of Forensic Professionals all examination candidates shall:

1. Hold a current, nonrestricted license to practice chiropractic in each state or territory of the United States in which the candidate is licensed. AND
2. Complete the minimum hours listed above from an ABFP approved institution/program leading toward certification in impairment rating. AND
3. Successfully complete the ABFP impairment certification exam or one approved in writing by the ABFP.

To maintain active status, all certified impairment rating professionals must re-certify every 2 years. Certificate holders will be notified when their certificate expires and requires renewal.

To apply for certification please print and fill out the Impairment Rating Certification Application and send it to:

ABFP
5001 E. 5th St.
Tucson, AZ.
85711

For more onformation, please contact:

S. Steven Baker, DC, DABFP
5001 E. 5th St.
Tucson, AZ. 85711
Phone: 520-323-2888
Fax: 520-323-9102

ADDITIONAL RESSOURCES

Evaluation of California’s Permanent Disability Rating Schedule

In this study, we focus on the system for evaluating permanent disabilities in California, the permanent disability rating schedule. The rating schedule, which is used to determine eligibility for PPD benefits as well as the amount of benefits, is at the center of legislative debates to reduce the costs of the workers’ compensation system. We address several questions: Does the system ensure that the highest compensation goes to the most severely disabled individuals? Do injured workers with impairments to different parts of the body but similar employment outcomes receive similar compensation? Will different physicians evaluating the same injury produce similar ratings? And finally, how can the rating system be changed to improve outcomes for injured workers and employers in California? - download article