Continuing education (CE) is a requirement for certified claims administrators. CE courses are designed to increase your knowledge or skill regarding the administration of workers' compensation claims under Title 51 RCW.
Three-year cycle
Certified claims administrators must maintain certification through CE over a 3-year cycle that begins on the anniversary of their certification. You must earn 45 credits every 3 years. All CE credits earned within that 3-year period will apply to the current cycle (WAC 296-15-360).
Continuing education criteria
Credits are earned in the following subject areas in accordance with WAC 296-15-350:
- Workers’ compensation subjects that help workers heal and return to work, and focus on areas of recovery.
- Existing or historical workers’ compensation statutes, case law, rule, or L&I policy.
- New developments in workers’ compensation, such as, but not limited to, changes in statute, case law, rules, or L&I policy.
- Injury prevention and safety. (This subject is limited to 5 of the 45 credits earned for each 3-year cycle).
- The 45 credits must include all trainings that we designate as mandatory.
The Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC) advises L&I on the number of credits a course will be given. If you do not earn enough CE credits within the 3-year cycle, you will be required to retake the written test to maintain L&I certification.
Mandatory classes
Certain classes are designated by L&I as mandatory. In order to maintain certification through CE, you must attend all mandatory classes.
Classes given by L&I regarding important changes such as new statutes, rules or case law are likely to be designated as mandatory. Notifications of upcoming mandatory classes are provided through L&I's email bulletin updates.
Focused Training
2025:
GFFD 2025
Vocational Services
Disputes Protests and Appeals
PPD Closures and Reopening
Loss of Earning Power
Claim Process Project Implementation Overview
Claim Validity
Allowance Interloc and Denial
Wages
Time-Loss
Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)
Web Resources Test Prep and SICATS
Claims Adjudication Tune-Up 2025
December 2025 Edition
Topics: Choosing a representative period to calculate wages, RCW 51.08.178, WAC 296-14-520, In re Jeremy T. Parsons, BIIA Dec, 19 22500 (2021), Reminders/Tips
November 2025 Edition
Topics: Vocational Referrals, WAC 296-19A-010, WAC 296-19A-030, RCW 51.32.095(3), Reminders/Tips
October 2025 Edition
Topics: Provider Types, WAC 296-20-015, WAC 296-20-01002, RCW 51.28.020, In re Maria Gonzalez, BIIA Dec 97 0261 (1998), Reminders/Tips
September 2025 Edition
Topics: Counting Days, RCW 1.12.040, CR (Court Rule) 6(a), RCW 51.28.050; WAC 296-20-097, Kovacs v Dept of Labor and Industries, Reminders/Tips
August 2025 Edition
Topics: Claims Administrator Onboarding and Certification, WAC 296-15-360, Onboarding Best Practices, Reminders/Tips
July 2025 Edition
Topics: Loss of Earning Power (LEP), RCW 51.32.090, In re Karl Bean (2006), Reminders/Tips
June 2025 Edition
Topics: Overpayments, RCW 51.32.240, Lump Sum Matrix, New Overpayment Request Form, Reminders/Tips
May 2025 Edition
Topics: Effective Use of Department Forms, WAC 296-15-420, WAC 296-15-350(8), Reminders/Tips
April 2025 Edition
Topics: Communication with Workers, WAC 296-15-420(7)(8), RCW 51.52.050(1) Reminders/Tips
March 2025 Edition
Topics: Treatment of Unrelated Conditions, WAC 296-20-055, In re John Galen (2004), Reminders/Tips
February 2025 Edition
Topics: Heart Claims, Windust v. Dept L&I (1958), RCW 51.32.185(1)(a) and (1)(c), Reminders/Tips
January 2025 Edition
Topics: Hearing Loss Claims, Reminders/Tips
Claims Adjudication Tune-Up 2024
December 2024 Edition
Topics: Protests, RCW 51.525.050, Marley v. Department of Labor and Industries (1994), Reminders/Tips
November 2024 Edition
Topics: WAC 296-15-450, Communicating Closing Orders, Shafer v. Department of Labor and Industries (2009), Reminders/Tips
October 2024 Edition
Topics: RCW 51.32.090(8), Wages, Return to work, Reminders/Tips
September 2024 Edition
Topics: RCW 51.32.160, Reminders/Tips
July 2024 Edition
Topics: RCW 51.32.060(5), The Crabb Decision (2014): COLA and Maximum Time-Loss, Reminders/Tips
June 2024 Edition
Topics: WAC 296-15-420, Longview Fibre Co. V Weimer, Reminders/Tips
May 2024 Edition
Topics: WAC 296-15-425, Cockle vs Department of L&I, Reminders/Tips