(a) Applicability. This section governs authorization relating to certification of maximum medical improvement (MMI), determination of permanent impairment, and assignment of impairment ratings in the event that a doctor finds permanent impairment exists.     
      (b) Authorization. Full authorization to assign an impairment rating and certify MMI in an instance where the injured employee is found to have permanent impairment requires a doctor to obtain division certification by completing the division-prescribed impairment rating training and passing the test or meeting the training and testing requirements for designated doctor certification under §127.100 of this title (relating to Designated Doctor Certification). To remain certified, a doctor is required to complete follow-up training at least every two years.     
      (c) Training. A doctor who has not completed the required training under subsection (b) of this section but who has had similar training in the American Medical Association Guides from a division-approved vendor within the prior two years may submit the syllabus and training materials from that course to the division for review. If the division determines that the training is substantially the same as the division-required training and the doctor passes the division-required test, the doctor is fully authorized under this section. The ability to substitute training only applies to the initial training requirement.     
      (d) Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a doctor who has not successfully completed training and testing required by this section for authorization to assign impairment ratings and certify MMI when there is permanent impairment may receive permission by exception to do so from the division on a specific case-by-case basis.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §180.23 adopted to be effective March 14, 2002, 27 TexReg 1817; amended to be effective June 5, 2003, 28 TexReg 4294; amended to be effective September 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 5476; amended to be effective April 30, 2023, 48 TexReg 2133