Nevada Permanent Partial Disability
Requirements for PPD Raters.
Nevada is the only state that mandates impairment rating certification by statute. If you perform workers' compensation PPD ratings in Nevada, NIRSAT™ certification is not optional.
What Are Nevada's PPD Rating Application Requirements?
Nevada physicians must adhere to specific statutory requirements for permanent partial disability (PPD) ratings under NV Rev. Stat. 616C.110. AAEME provides the only state-designated certification track that addresses the three key requirements to becoming a PPD rater in Nevada. This includes the mandatory NIRSAT exam, the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar, and the AMA Guides 5th Edition course. The first two are only available through AAEME.
Physicians interested in applying for PPD rater status must take a 5th Edition course, the Nevada Stress Disorders Seminar, pass the NIRSAT exam, and have at least three years of clinical experience. This requirement applies to MDs, DOs, and DCs, regardless of specialty.
The Med Panel Directory of PPD Raters lists all physicians approved to perform PPD ratings in Nevada. A physician whose name does not appear in the Med Panel Directory of PPD Raters may not perform compensable PPD ratings under Nevada law. There is no grace period.
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.
- Complete an 8-hour course on the AMA Guides 5th Edition
- Sit and pass the 4-hour NIRSAT exam
- Complete the 8-hour Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar
- Have at least three years of clinical experience
- Open to MDs, DOs, and DCs
- AAEME offers the only NIRSAT exam approved by law
- AAEME offers the only Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar
How Do I Earn My NIRSAT™ Certification?
Earning NIRSAT certification follows a two-step process: complete the AMA Guides 5th Edition Advanced course, 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 CIRS 5th Edition™ certification simultaneously.
- AMA Guides 5th Edition methodology across all specialties and body regions
- Pair it with the free Introduction to Nevada Workers' Comp Law course for the statutory content under NV Rev. Stat. 616C.110
- Completing this course satisfies the educational requirement before sitting the NIRSAT exam
- 75% passing score required
- One question at a time; cannot return to previous questions
- Includes additional Nevada-specific legal questions
- Certificate issued twice monthly after passing
What Are the Application Requirements for PPD Raters?
Nevada's PPD rating application requirements are the same for every license type. Complete the AMA Guides 5th Edition course and the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar, pass the NIRSAT exam, and have at least three years of clinical experience. You will also need to fill out the Med Panel's Rating Panel Application and submit it with your certificates. Listing in the Med Panel Directory of PPD Raters is issued quarterly by the Med Panel. Ongoing training and continuing requirements are set by Nevada statute and can change; see NV Rev. Stat. 616C.110 for the current requirements.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| 5th Edition Course | Required |
| NIRSAT Exam | Required |
| Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar | Required |
| Experience | Minimum 3 years clinical experience |
| Rating Panel Application | Required · Get the application ↗ |
| Med Panel Directory listing | Issued quarterly by Med Panel |
| Bonus | Passing NIRSAT also confers CIRS 5th Edition certification |
How Do I Get Listed in the Nevada Med Panel Directory of PPD Raters?
After you've completed all of your requirements, you will need to submit proof and certificates to the Med Panel for review. AAEME is also required to submit documentation, which we do twice monthly.
The Med Panel updates its Med Panel Directory of PPD Raters quarterly and issues a new list at that time. We do not have details on how quickly they will process your completed application, so we recommend submitting your completed application as soon as possible.
The name on your certificates (courses and NIRSAT) must exactly match the name on your Nevada medical license. The Med Panel 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, application requirements, the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar, and the Med Panel 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 CIRS 5th Edition; 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.
Can I perform PPD ratings while waiting for my Med Panel Directory listing to process?
This is a question for the Med Panel directly, not AAEME. We cannot advise on what Nevada law permits during the listing process. What we can tell you is that the Med Panel has stated there is no grace period for non-certified PPD raters, and we recommend having your listing confirmed before performing PPD ratings.
How long does it take to appear in the Med Panel Directory of PPD Raters after I submit my application?
The Med Panel Directory of PPD Raters is issued on a quarterly basis, so how long it takes to appear depends on how close your completed application is to the next release. We recommend submitting your application as soon as you have met all the requirements; we are not privy to the Med Panel's internal timelines.
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 PPDs in workers' compensation cases. All Nevada PPD raters are required to complete it, regardless of specialty.
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 Med Panel matches the name on your 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 have a question that isn't answered here. Who do I contact?
For questions about AAEME courses, exams, and certification, use our contact form. Please note, we are unable to answer questions about Nevada law, the Med Panel Directory, or what you are permitted to do under statute. Contact the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations directly for those questions.
Ready to Get Certified?
Start with the AMA Guides 5th Edition Advanced course, pass the NIRSAT exam, and take the Nevada IR Stress Disorders Seminar. Everything you need is here.