Mastery Training Programs
AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment
The definitive training solution for physicians, healthcare professionals, and legal experts seeking to master impairment ratings.
AMA Guides® Required This site is owned by Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC, operating as WorkCompCollege.com, and is independent of the American Medical Association (AMA). The training and resources are neither endorsed nor sponsored by the AMA. All participants must have access to the AMA Guides in a digital or printed edition. Visit AMA Guides Digital →
The definitive training for medicolegal professionals
AMA Guides Mastery
Over 200 specialized modules and 170+ hours of expert content for both the 5th and 6th Editions — unparalleled depth at exceptional value, costing less than a single evaluation fee. Choose complete certification or specialized tracks in musculoskeletal, medical, or mental and behavioral disorders.
Fifth Edition
Published in 2000 and used in 12 states. Complete Mastery training for the 5th Edition of the Guides.
Sixth Edition
Published in 2008 and used in 19 states/jurisdictions and Federal cases. The most current standard.
IME Best Practices
Best practices for Independent Medical Evaluations — pre-evaluation, evaluation, post-evaluation, and report writing.
Which edition applies?
Editions used across jurisdictions
The use of the AMA Guides in workers’ compensation varies by jurisdiction. See the adoption lists by state in the United States.
- Sixth — Published 2008 · 19 states/jurisdictions and Federal cases. Guides 6th Digital →
- Fifth — Published 2000 · used in 12 states.
- Fourth — Published 1993 · used in 7 states.
- Third, Rev. — Published 1988 · used in 2 states.
Learning the AMA Guides®
Master the Guides the right way
To evaluate impairment, you must know how to use the AMA Guides correctly — challenging to achieve by simply reading the book. Our high-quality Mastery virtual learning experiences are the best and most cost-effective way to master the Guides. We offer comprehensive and focused courses for both editions.
Certified Impairment Rater
Distinguish yourself with CIR®
CIR® was created in 2006 to establish and maintain professional standards for the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform expert impairment evaluations using the Fifth or Sixth Edition. Assess your knowledge now with a free 10-item mini-assessment — if you do well, proceed with the CIR® examination with confidence.
Tools & resources
Everything you need to use the Guides
eMedicoLegal®
Virtual training focused on technologies and artificial intelligence for physicians, attorneys, and claim professionals.
Impairment.com®
Essential IME tools and resources that elevate the quality of your medicolegal practice — better outcomes and a more efficient workflow.
Behind the training
Chris Brigham, MD — Developer of the Mastery Training Programs
Christopher R. Brigham, MD
For decades, Dr. Chris Brigham has guided professionals through the complex medicolegal landscape — empowering them to “captain their ship” while navigating challenging medicolegal “seas.” That journey continues, and his programs have now found a new home at WorkCompCollege.com.
A board-certified occupational medicine physician who entered the medicolegal field over four decades ago, Dr. Brigham served as Senior Contributing Editor for the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition and the Guides Casebook, and for nearly three decades as Editor of the Guides Newsletter. He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles and several books, spoken at hundreds of events, and consulted throughout the United States and internationally. Most significantly for learners here, he created the definitive Mastery Training programs for the AMA Guides.
Through the Dr. Chris Brigham School of Medical Education, his curriculum, standards, and commitment to accurate impairment assessment remain fully intact. Whether you are beginning your journey or charting a new course, Dr. Brigham’s expertise is your compass — and WorkCompCollege.com is proud to carry it forward.
What practitioners say
The world’s most widely accepted standard
The AMA Guides have been the accepted standard for impairment assessment since 1958.
“I am thrilled I subscribed. It is excellent and a real cost saver — more information, training, and assistance than a 3–4 day course elsewhere at two to three times the cost.”
— Ronald Fadel, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
“This note is to personally thank you for your brilliant teaching. I learned how to be an IME expert from your teaching. It made me a much more precise and effective physician.”
— Noel Kerin, MD
“Several words come to mind: valuable, creative, painless, authoritative, unique, and accessible 24/7. What you have developed is so needed.”
— Lorne Direnfeld, MD, Neurologist
Make a superb, no-risk investment in your career
Choose complete certification or a specialized track and elevate your professional authority in impairment evaluation. Pricing was recently reduced in response to economic conditions — with the same gold-standard curriculum.
Continuing education
AMA PRA Category 2 Credit
Physicians may claim AMA PRA Category 2 Credit™. Category 2 Credit is self-designated and self-claimed by individual physicians for participation in educational activities that meet the following criteria:
- Comply with the AMA definition of continuing medical education (CME)
- Comply with relevant AMA ethical opinions
- Are non-promotional
- Are a worthwhile learning experience related to a physician’s practice, as determined by the physician
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