Nevada Impairment Rating
Requirements for Physicians.
Nevada is the only state that mandates impairment rating certification by statute. If you perform workers' compensation impairment ratings in Nevada, NIRSAT™ certification is not optional. It is a legal requirement with no grace period for non-compliance.
What Are Nevada's Impairment Rating Certification Requirements?
Nevada physicians must adhere to specific statutory requirements for impairment ratings under NV Rev. Stat. 616C.110. AAEME provides the only state-designated certification track covering the mandatory NIRSAT credential, renewal procedures for each license type, and the new Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar requirements for psychological impairment ratings in workers' compensation cases.
Under NV Rev. Stat. 616C.110, any physician performing a permanent impairment rating in a Nevada workers' compensation case must hold a current NIRSAT credential issued through AAEME. This requirement applies to MDs, DOs, and DCs, regardless of specialty or years of experience.
The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) maintains a directory of certified physicians. A physician whose name does not appear in the DIR directory may not perform compensable impairment ratings under Nevada law. There is no grace period. The DIR's position is that non-certified physicians may not bill for impairment rating services until certification is in place.
AAEME is written into Nevada law as the sole state-authorized NIRSAT certification provider. There is no other path to NIRSAT certification. Our curriculum is built specifically around Nevada's statutory requirements and is updated as the DIR issues new guidance.
- All license types: MDs, DOs, and DCs must hold NIRSAT to perform workers' compensation impairment ratings in Nevada.
- No grace period. The DIR does not grant exemptions or extensions for non-certified physicians.
- DIR directory listing: Certification must be reported to the DIR before a physician may perform rated evaluations.
- Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar required: All Nevada impairment rating physicians must complete it by July 1, 2026.
- Sole authorized provider: AAEME is written into Nevada law as the only path to NIRSAT certification. There is no alternative provider.
How Do I Earn My NIRSAT™ Certification?
Earning NIRSAT certification follows a two-step process: complete the NIRSAT Course Bundle covering AMA Guides 5th Edition methodology and Nevada workers' compensation law, then pass the NIRSAT certification exam. AAEME is written into Nevada law as the sole authorized provider. There is no other path to NIRSAT certification. Passing the exam satisfies both Nevada's state requirement and the national AMA Guides 5th Edition CIRS™ certification simultaneously.
- 5th Edition Advanced: AMA Guides 5th Edition methodology across all specialties and body regions
- Nevada Legal: workers' compensation law and statutory compliance under NV Rev. Stat. 616C.110
- Completing this bundle satisfies the educational requirement before sitting the NIRSAT exam
- DCs only: AMA Guides course must be renewed every 2 years per NV Rev. Stat. 616C.110
- MDs and DOs: required once only, no renewal
- 75% passing score required
- One question at a time; cannot return to previous questions
- Includes additional Nevada-specific legal questions
- Certificate emailed immediately upon passing
- MDs and DOs: exam is required once only, no renewal
- Passing NIRSAT also satisfies the AMA Guides 5th Edition national CIRS requirement
What Are the Renewal Requirements by License Type?
Nevada renewal requirements differ by license type. MDs and DOs complete NIRSAT certification once and are certified permanently with no renewal required. DCs must renew the NIRSAT course every two years, though the exam is taken once. All license types must complete the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar by July 1, 2026, with no grace period under current DIR policy.
| Requirement | MD / DO | DC |
|---|---|---|
| NIRSAT Course | Required once; no renewal | Required every 2 years per statute |
| NIRSAT Exam | Required once; no renewal | Required once; no renewal |
| NV IR Stress Disorders Seminar | Required (deadline July 1, 2026) | Required (deadline July 1, 2026) |
| Passing NIRSAT also satisfies | AMA Guides 5th Edition national CIRS | AMA Guides 5th Edition national CIRS |
| DIR directory listing | Required; AAEME submits on your behalf | Required; AAEME submits on your behalf |
| Grace period | None per DIR policy | None per DIR policy |
Renewal dates are calculated from the date you completed your course. Your renewal is due exactly two years from that date. AAEME will send renewal reminders as your renewal date approaches. Ensure your email address on file is current.
How Do I Get Listed in the Nevada DIR Physician Directory?
After passing your NIRSAT exam, both you and AAEME must submit your certification to the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations. AAEME submits certifications to the DIR twice monthly. Your name will appear in the DIR directory after both submissions are processed and the DIR updates their records.
The name on your NIRSAT certificate must exactly match the name on your Nevada medical license. The DIR uses your medical license name for the directory listing. If there is a discrepancy, even a middle name or suffix, your listing may be delayed or rejected. Enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your Nevada medical license when you register with AAEME. Name corrections after certificate issuance are subject to a reprint fee.
Frequently Asked Questions for Nevada Physicians
Common questions from Nevada-licensed physicians about NIRSAT certification, renewal requirements, the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar, and the DIR directory listing process.
I already hold a CIRS certification from AAEME. Do I still need the NIRSAT?
It depends on which exam you passed. If you passed the NIRSAT exam, you already hold both NIRSAT and the AMA Guides 5th Edition CIRS; you are covered for Nevada. If you passed the 5th Edition exam only (not the NIRSAT specifically), you hold national CIRS but not the Nevada-specific NIRSAT credential. You would need to take the NIRSAT exam to practice in Nevada. Reach out through our contact form if you are unsure which exam you sat.
I am a DC. When exactly does my course renewal come due?
Your renewal is due exactly two years from the date you completed your AMA Guides course. The DIR tracks your renewal date and will send you a renewal reminder as that date approaches. Note that the date the DIR has on file may differ from your course completion date in our system. If you are unsure of your renewal date, contact the DIR directly. You do not need to retake the exam, only the course.
Can I perform impairment ratings while waiting for my DIR directory listing to process?
This is a question for the DIR directly, not AAEME. We cannot advise on what Nevada law permits during the listing process. Contact the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations for guidance on your specific situation. What we can tell you is that the DIR has stated there is no grace period for non-certified physicians, and we recommend having your listing confirmed before performing rated evaluations.
How long does it take to appear in the DIR directory after I pass my exam?
The timeline depends on two things: when AAEME's next submission cycle falls (we submit twice monthly), and how quickly the DIR processes and updates their directory after receiving our notification. In most cases physicians are listed within two to four weeks of passing their exam, assuming both the AAEME submission and your personal submission to the DIR have been received and processed. If you have not appeared in the directory after four weeks, contact the DIR and let us know through our contact form.
What is the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar and why is it required separately?
The AMA Guides do not address psychological impairment from stress or post-traumatic stress disorder. There is a gap in the standard methodology that Nevada has moved to address by statute. The Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar covers the clinical and legal framework for evaluating psychological impairment in workers' compensation cases. All Nevada physicians who perform impairment ratings are required to complete it, regardless of specialty. The current state deadline is July 1, 2026. The DIR has been known to update deadlines; we recommend not waiting.
Does the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar have a renewal requirement?
We are awaiting further guidance from the DIR on renewal requirements for the seminar. We will update this page as soon as that guidance is available.
My name on my medical license is different from what I normally use. Which name should I register with?
Always register using the exact name that appears on your Nevada medical license, not your preferred name, nickname, or shortened version. The DIR matches your NIRSAT certificate against your medical license record. If the names do not match exactly, your directory listing may be delayed or rejected. You can enter a preferred name separately during registration, but your legal name field must match your license exactly. Name corrections after certificate issuance are subject to a reprint fee.
I took a course with AAEME before May 2026. Do I need to re-register?
Yes. AAEME updated its website and tracking system in May 2026. All physicians, including those who certified previously, are asked to complete our updated registration profile so we have accurate information on file for DIR submissions and renewal tracking. If your certification is still current, completing the profile will not affect your certification status. Create your account here, then complete your AAEME Profile once logged in. There is no cost to set up an account.
I do not need to take a course or exam right now. Can I still register?
Yes. You do not need to be an active student to register. If you hold a current NIRSAT credential, we still need your information on file because the DIR may ask us to verify accounts at any time. Create your account here, then complete your AAEME Profile once logged in. There is no cost to set up an account.
I have a question that isn't answered here. Who do I contact?
For questions about AAEME courses, exams, and certification, use our contact form. For questions about Nevada law, DIR directory requirements, or what you are permitted to do under statute, contact the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations directly. Those are legal questions that AAEME cannot answer on your behalf.
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Start with the NIRSAT Course Bundle, pass the NIRSAT exam, and AAEME handles your DIR submission. Everything you need is here.