Labor Code section 123.5

(a)

Workers’ compensation administrative law judges employed by the administrative director shall be taken from an eligible list of attorneys licensed to practice law in this state, who have the qualifications prescribed by the State Personnel Board. In establishing eligible lists for this purpose, state civil service examinations shall be conducted in accordance with the State Civil Service Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 18500) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code). Every workers’ compensation judge shall maintain membership in the State Bar of California during his or her tenure.
A workers’ compensation administrative law judge may not receive his or her salary as a workers’ compensation administrative law judge while any cause before the workers’ compensation administrative law judge remains pending and undetermined for 90 days after it has been submitted for decision.

(b)

All workers’ compensation administrative law judges appointed on or after January 1, 2003, shall be attorneys licensed to practice law in California for five or more years prior to their appointment and shall have experience in workers’ compensation law.

Source: Section 123.5, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=123.­5.­ (updated Oct. 7, 2011; accessed Jul. 7, 2025).

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Jul. 7, 2025

§ 123.5's source at ca​.gov