CWCP – Certified Workers’ Compensation Professional
2009- Our 10th Anniversary
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why was the CWCP Program Developed?
2. What is the CWCP Program?
3. Who should go through the CWCP Program?
4. Reasons to go through the CWCP Program
5. Can you give me more information about getting an adjusters license?
6. Certification Procedure
7. Program Cost
8. Program Benefits
9. CWCP RECERT PROCESS

Why was the CWCP Program Developed?

• To promote professionalism in the industry
• To improve claims handling
• To make Georgia's Workers' Compensation system more accountable and effective

What is the CWCP Program?

• The CWCP Program is a comprehensive claims management course that was developed by the Chairman's Advisory Council at the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. The program is designed to reinforce the fundamentals and build upon those fundamentals to ensure that each certified professional has a thorough understanding of Georgia's Workers' Compensation system.
• Topics covered include:
  o Historical Background
  o Overview of Georgia Law
  o Overview of the State Board
  o Human Relations in Claims Handling
  o Investigations
  o Fraud Awareness
  o Reserves/Estimates
  o Medical
  o Disability Management
  o Financial Recovery
  o Litigation and Arbitration
  o Forms and Procedures
  o Communication

Please note that the class format has changed. The self study portion of the program has increased and the class has been reduced to one day in class. The final exam is taken after the completion of the class and is done via the internet. (see The Certification and Recertification Procedure)

Who should go through the CWCP Program?

• Claims adjusters
• Claims administrators
• TPA's handling workers compensation
• Self-insureds: human resource managers or those responsible for workers compensation claims handling
• Counties, municipalities and school boards (same as above)
• Human resource management companies
• Lawyers
• Medical care providers: hospitals, doctors groups, clinics, MCO's (Also please see the new training program designed specifically for medical providers)
• Rehabilitation suppliers

Reasons to go through the CWCP Program

• For insurance company adjusters or TPA's
  a. to fulfill your prelicensing requirement to get your workers' compensation license.
  b. to help you ascertain that your claims have a successful resolution
  c. to increase your company's professionalism
  d. increased knowledge will result in increased customer and claimant satisfaction
• For medical care providers: (Also see new program designed specifically for medical providers)
  a. to help retain satisfied clients
  b. to gain an understanding of forms and procedures
  c. to gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of the adjuster, the employer, the medical care provider and the State Board
  d. to properly process the paperwork necessary to ensure timely payment
• For employers, self-insureds, municipalities, counties and school boards
  a. to gain a working knowledge of the State Board
  b. to provide training to help access assistance from the various divisions of the State Board
  c. to ascertain that your adjuster is handling your claims according to the W. C. code and law
  d. to learn the employer's responsibilities under the code
  e. to better educate your employees regarding their rights and responsibilities
• For attorneys (plaintiff and defense)
  a. to better understand the other stakeholders interests - from their perspective.
  b. to improve relationships, so that the injured employee's interests remain the priority
  c. to increase their knowledge of the system

The Certification and Recertification Procedure

• The initial certification requires 40 hours of continuing education
  • The program contains 30 hours of self- study and web-based training, and 7 hours of classroom instruction (class is from 8:30 until 4:30). The seminars are held in Atlanta in the Chamblee-Tucker area. The self study course work will be sent to you after we receive payment for the class. You will be required to complete the self study coursework before you attend the class. You will be given 3 hours to complete the exam
  • An exam will be administered via the internet after the completion of the class, and the attendee must pass the examination to receive his or her certification as a Certified Workers' Compensation Professional.
  • The CWCP program will meet the continuing education requirements of the new workers' compensation adjuster's license.
• Once a person is certified, he or she will be required annually to complete a 10-hour program from new material that is approved by the Licensure and Self-Insurance Committee to maintain the certification. It should be noted that the acquisition and maintenance of this designation is not mandatory, however the recertification class is approved for 10 hours continuing education with Georgia Insurance Department. If you do not maintain your CWCP designation by completing the recert requirement you can get CE from other approved (by the Ga. Insurance Department) courses, but your CE requirement is increased from 10 hours to 15 hours. If you are already licensed you will receive 40 hours continuing education that will satisfy your 15 hour CE requirement. For more information about licensing click here.

NEW in 2009 we are offering a menu of options for RECERT. You can attend class, complete homework assignments, participate in webinars or complete web –based training to complete your recert requirement.

Can you give me more information about getting an adjusters license? 
Licensing information. (Please read this information carefully as it should answer all your questions about licensing)

• We get more questions about the adjusters' license than any other question. First of all, the CWCP program is a voluntary program; however, if you successfully complete the program you can photocopy your CWCP certificate and complete a GID 103 (for a copy go the Georgia Insurance Departments website http://www.inscomm.state.ga.us/ABOUT/Forms.aspx )and you will get your license. Please note that you do not need a sponsor for this license. If you use the CWCP designation to get a license please note that you do not have a CE requirement the year you get your license. Along with the application you must send a check for $65 and it has to be a company check or a certified check or money order (They will not accept a personal check).
• If you do maintain your CWCP designation by attending our recertification class each year you will receive the 10 hours necessary to maintain your workers' compensation license. If you do not maintain your designation (remember it is voluntary) you will be required to have 15 hours to maintain your workers' compensation license. We will file your CE for you each year upon completion of the program. If you already have your adjuster's license we will file 15 hours CE for you when you complete the Certification class (including the 3 hours ethics requirement). If you maintain your Board certification (by recertifying each year), we will file 10 hours (including the 3 hours ethics, which means you still will have to get 5 hours CE to maintain your independent adjusters license. Your certification is valid on a calendar year basis. Please note that if you get a license during the year that you still have to renew your license. Licenses all renew on November the first. It is your responsibility to renew your license.  You have to satisfy your CE requirement during the calendar year so if you have a CE class scheduled for after November 1st you should still send in your renewal license application. If you change addresses it is your responsibility to complete a change of address form with the Georgia Insurance Department (for a copy go the Georgia Insurance Departments website http://www.inscomm.state.ga.us/ABOUT/Forms.aspx ).  When you apply for your first renewal license be sure to attach a copy of your CWCP certificate. If you file your renewal on-line please reference that you have your CWCP designation. Remember the licensing requirement is 15 hours for adjusters. If you maintain your CWCP designation and have your workers' compensation adjusters license (Property and casualty adjusters still need 15 hours) you hours are reduced to 10.

What about non-residents licenses in other states?
Holding a Georgia resident workers comp adjuster license allows you to adjust GA claims; to adjust claims in other states, you will be required to contact that state's Insurance department for instructions on nonresident licensure as each state differs. However, most if you are applying for a workers' compensation license in other states most states will accept your Georgia workers' compensation license. The first step is to get that states non-residents license application. At the same time you should be requesting a status letter from the Georgia Insurance Department. This can be done by completing GID-AL-6A (for a copy go the Georgia Insurance Departments website http://www.inscomm.state.ga.us/ABOUT/Forms.aspx ) This form should accompany the status letter when you send it to another state for your non-residents license. The only issue I know of regarding Reciprocity is Kentucky which requires that there is a certification that an exam is given. Click here for a copy of the letter from the GID.

Program Cost
The cost for the initial certification is $495 (*cost is $300 if you are converting from a CWCA designation as long as the CWCA designation is current). If you have already had your CWCP designation but have let it lapse your registration fee is $345.
Recertification Cost is $195

Program Benefits

• Comprehensive training and reference manual
• Web-based training program
• Interesting workshops
• Access to reference library
• Clearinghouse for questions to the State Board
• Establish yourself as a professional
• Effect a better relationship with the Board and the other stakeholders within the system
• And most importantly to help make the system more accountable and effective for the employers and employees in our state
• Our best advertising is our participants. Ask your peers what they think about the program. Chances are they have been through it.

CWCP Recert Procedure 

On 1/20/2009 we have launched our new learning portal. This allows partcipants in the CWCP recert program to manage their own curriculum. You can choose from on-line training, virtual classes, live classes, or written projects. The learning portal will track your progress and you can look up your own transcript. If you are licensed and you do not recertify you CE requirement is 15 hours. If you manitain yoru CWCP designation your CE requirement is reduced to 10 hous

To register go to https://www.gaworkcomp.net/register/

If you need to contact us please contact Sandi Heinen at sandi.heinen@gaworkcomp.net