6th Edition CIRS™
Certification Exam.
The 6th Edition CIRS™ exam is the AMA Guides 6th Edition national credential for physicians producing impairment ratings in jurisdictions that have adopted the 6th Edition. It is open to any physician; no AAEME course is required for registration.
Who Is the 6th Edition CIRS Exam For?
The 6th Edition CIRS exam is for physicians who produce permanent impairment ratings under the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 6th Edition, in jurisdictions that have adopted that edition. Passing the exam earns the 6th Edition CIRS credential, AAEME's national AMA Guides 6th Edition certification.
How Is the 6th Edition CIRS Exam Structured?
The 6th Edition CIRS exam is delivered online and self-scheduled. It contains 45 questions in mixed formats (multiple choice, calculation, and case-based) drawn from the methodology and clinical scenarios covered by the AMA Guides 6th Edition. Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam in a single sitting and must achieve 75% to pass.
- 45 questions in mixed formats: multiple choice, case-based scenarios, and impairment calculations
- 4 hours total time, one sitting; the timer runs continuously
- One question at a time; you cannot return to a previous question after answering
- 75% passing score required; result is calculated and displayed at the end of the exam
- Online, self-scheduled; sit when you are ready, from your own location
- 90-day window from purchase to sit the exam
- The AMA Guides 6th Edition; the exam is open book, physical or digital copy permitted
- A calculator; physical, on-screen, or web-based
- Personal notes from your independent preparation
- Any reference materials you find helpful; there is no restricted-resource list
- What is tracked: IP address, exam start and end times, time spent, session activity, and answer pattern. Video proctoring is not used at this time
- What is not allowed: assistance from another person. The exam tests your competency, not collective
What Does the 6th Edition CIRS Exam Cover?
The 6th Edition CIRS exam tests applied knowledge of AMA Guides 6th Edition impairment rating methodology across all major specialties and body systems. The 6th Edition introduced a different organizing framework than the 5th, including diagnosis-based impairment grids, functional history adjustment, and the ICF model. The exam reflects that framework directly.
The exam emphasizes applied methodology (case scenarios, calculations, and judgment under the Guides) over rote memorization. Candidates should be comfortable navigating the AMA Guides 6th Edition while answering. The exam is shorter than its 5th Edition counterpart but covers the same breadth of content.
How Should I Prepare for the 6th Edition CIRS Exam?
AAEME does not currently offer a 6th Edition preparation course or study guide. Candidates should prepare independently using the AMA Guides 6th Edition itself, peer-reviewed materials, and their own clinical experience with 6th Edition methodology. A 6th Edition Advanced course is in development at AAEME but not yet available.
A 6th Edition Advanced course is in development at AAEME. When it becomes available it will be announced through our newsletter and listed on the courses page. Until then, the exam is open to any physician confident in their applied knowledge of the AMA Guides 6th Edition.
What Happens After I Take the Exam?
Your score is calculated automatically and displayed at the end of the exam. If you achieve 75% or higher, your 6th Edition CIRS certificate is issued the same day. If you do not pass, you are eligible for one free retake within 90 days. Exam fees are non-refundable in either case.
- Digital certificate emailed to you immediately upon passing
- Physical certificate available by mail for an additional fee
- e-Eval network access: optional listing in AAEME's certified physician referral network. You choose whether to be listed; it is not automatic
- Recognized credential for use in workers' compensation hearings, depositions, motor vehicle cases, and other liability proceedings under the AMA Guides 6th Edition
- No renewal required for the 6th Edition CIRS credential itself
- One retake at no additional cost, scheduled within 90 days of your first attempt
- Same exam structure: 45 questions, 4 hours, one sitting, 75% to pass
- Use the time to prepare: review the AMA Guides 6th Edition directly. Targeted review of the methodology areas you found most challenging is recommended
- Original exam fee is non-refundable regardless of result, including in the event of a failed retake
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the 6th Edition CIRS certification exam, including how it differs from the 5th Edition exam and what preparation is available.
Do I need to take a course before sitting the 6th Edition CIRS exam?
No. The 6th Edition CIRS exam is open to any physician confident in their AMA Guides 6th Edition methodology. AAEME does not currently offer a 6th Edition preparation course; one is in development.
If I pass the 6th Edition CIRS, do I also get the 5th Edition CIRS?
No. The 5th and 6th Edition exams test different methodologies and issue separate credentials. Physicians who need both must sit both exams. Only NIRSAT carries a dual-credential outcome (NIRSAT + 5th Edition CIRS).
Why does the 6th Edition exam have fewer questions than the 5th Edition?
The 6th Edition uses a more compact diagnosis-based framework than the 5th Edition. 45 questions are sufficient to test applied competency across the major body systems and the new framework's diagnostic grids. Both exams allocate the same 4-hour window so candidates have ample time per question on the 6th Edition exam.
Is the exam open book?
Yes. You may use the AMA Guides 6th Edition (physical or digital), a calculator, and any personal reference notes during the exam. The exam tests applied methodology, not memorization. Assistance from another person is not permitted; your competency is what is being assessed.
How long do I have to sit the exam after purchasing?
You have 90 days from the date of purchase to sit the exam. Because the window is fixed, AAEME recommends purchasing the exam when you are ready to take it rather than registering far in advance.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You are eligible for one free retake within 90 days of your first attempt. The retake follows the same format: 45 questions, 4 hours, single sitting, 75% to pass. The original exam fee is non-refundable regardless of result.
When will I receive my certificate?
Your digital 6th Edition CIRS certificate is emailed to you the same day you pass, typically within minutes of completing the exam. A printed physical certificate is available by mail for an additional fee.
Does the 6th Edition CIRS credential expire?
The 6th Edition CIRS credential itself does not require renewal. Note, however, that some jurisdictions impose their own continuing education requirements separate from CIRS. Check your state's workers' compensation regulations for specifics. See the AMA Guides by Jurisdiction reference for state-by-state rules.
What is the refund policy?
All exam fees are non-refundable, regardless of result, change of mind, or failure to sit within the 90-day window. If you have questions before registering, please use our contact form.
Ready to Earn Your 6th Edition CIRS Credential?
Register when you are ready to sit. The 90-day window begins at purchase. Your certificate is issued the same day you pass.