NAWCJ

Certified Workers’ Compensation Adjudicator


By Sheral C. Kellar, Past President

 National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary

Chief Judge, Louisiana Workforce Commission

Baton Rouge, LA

 

On June 17, 2025 the Board of the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary (NAWCJ) approved an Adjudicator Certification program for members of the Association. This certification offers numerous benefits to both adjudicators and the agencies that employ them. For the organization, certification signifies a more competitive and productive workforce. For the adjudicator, certification offers career-advancing skill development, enhanced marketability and competitiveness, validation of expertise, and proof of knowledge of evolving best practices. Board members believe that, in jurisdictions where workers’ compensation judges are appointed for a specified term, the Adjudicator Certification improves the probability that he/she will be reappointed to their position. Moreover, holding a recognized certification may significantly boost a candidate’s earning ability because the certification is considered an extraordinary qualification or credential. Finally, the certification program is in keeping with the mission of the Association

“… to provide educational forums for the workers’ compensation judiciary concerning issues that are unique to this system of justice. Emphasis is placed on providing an educational source and national forum that will enhance the ability of workers’ compensation judges on a national scale to deal with a commonality of issues, regardless of the substantive laws of the different states.”

The Association’s President, Sheral C. Kellar, appointed a committee of your peers to evaluate the satisfactory completion of established Certification criteria: Judge Shannon Bruno, Louisiana, appointed for a three-year term; Judge Scott Beck, South Carolina, appointed for a two-year term; and Judge Amanda Luedtke, Wisconsin, appointed for a one-year term.

I. Adjudicator Certification requires accumulation of 500 points total, in a combination of the following categories. Certification will be for three years from notification by the Adjudicator Certification Committee.

A. Educational attendance

The applicant shall achieve at least 100, but no more than 250 points in this category within a five-year period.

1. Attendance at specifically judicial education programming, like

a. NAWCJ Judicial College sessions = 5 points per hour.

Attendee is responsible for documenting session attendance by self-photograph with session screen or speaker(s).

b. Other judicial specific programming with pre-approval of the Committee, at a similar 5-points per hour. This may include IAIABC, SAWCA, ABA and other similar programming if specific to adjudication and pre-approved.

Attendee is responsible for documenting session attendance by self-photograph with session screen or speaker(s).

B. Instruction/teaching participation

The applicant shall achieve no more than 200 points in this category within a five-year period.

i. Teaching

    1. Lecturing or participating as a panel member in public presentations on substantive law or practice.

a. On the law of the judge’s own state = 20 points per presentation

b. On the law of another state or issues of national import = 30 points per presentation.

c. Lecturing or participating as a panel member in a judicial-specific seminar or training program, including the NAWCJ programs = 40 points per presentation.

d. Serving as a professor or instructor for a substantive semester course at an ABA-accredited law school = 80 points per semester.

e. Serving as a professor or instructor for a substantive semester course at a college or university regarding legal subjects = 60 points per semester.

    1. 2.
    Participating as a judge at the NAWCJ Zehmer Moot Court Competition and round, in person or virtual = 10 points per round.

ii Mentoring

    1. Another adjudicator adjusting to the bench in a state-sanctioned mentor program = 20 points, as certified by the jurisdiction’s chief adjudicator or administrator
    2. A law student or lawyer through a state or Inns of Court sanctioned mentor program = 10 points, as certified by the jurisdiction’s chief adjudicator or administrator.

 

C. Authorship and Editorial Contributions

The applicant shall achieve no more than 200 points in this category within a five-year period.

    1. Dissertation of not less than 10,000 words addressing a topic agreed between candidate and the Certification Committee = 50 points.
    2. Drafting and revision of practice regulations, procedural rules, or agency policy = up to 50 points based on extent, complexity, and duration of participation.
    3. Acting as editor of a legal publication
      • a. State Bar or section newsletter or magazine = 30 points per year of service
      • b. NAWCJ Newsletter = 30 points per year of service
      • c. National or commercial publication on workers’ compensation or adjudication = 40 points per year of service.

4. Authorship of a practice or substantive law analysis published in a recognized journal, state bar, or NAWCJ publication.

      • a. Word count 2,500-5,000 = 50 points
      • b. Word count over 5,000 = 100 points
      • c. Larger articles considered at the discretion of the Certification Committee

II. Adjudication Recertification will be considered upon proof of the following within the three-year certification period that is expiring.

1. One attendance at either

      • a. NAWCJ Judicial College = 50 points
      • b. NAWCJ Boot Camp = 20 points

2. 150 points in Instruction/Teaching participation (B. above)

      • a. This must include presenting individually or on a panel at either the Judicial College or Boot camp, which shall = 40 points each
      • b. This may include presentation at a NAWCJ Lunch and Learn = 10 points each

3. 150 points in either or a combination of authorship and editorial contributions (C. above).

The decisions of the Certification Committee will be final as to recommendation to the Board. Any negative recommendation to the Board may be answered in writing only, submitted no later than 30 days prior to the Annual Board meeting at the Judiciary College in the year in which the application was made. The committee will accept applications, on the prescribed form, each year, due prior to April 1, for consideration of certification or recertification. The application must be accompanied by all supporting information, copies of publications, seminar or class brochures or advertisements, and certification from the jurisdiction’s chief judge or administrator. Certifications and recertifications will be presented, in person, at the NAWCJ annual Judiciary College.

To reiterate, this Adjudicator Certification provides proof of and validates specialized knowledge and skills, boosts confidence, and increases credibility among peers and employers. It also provides networking opportunities with the more than 9,000 workers’ compensation professionals that attend the WCI conference in Orlando in August each year. Finally, certification fosters a sense of accomplishment and pride in one’s career achievements. Agencies that promote certification opportunities demonstrate commitment to employee growth and tend to be more attractive to high-quality candidates seeking engaging and meaningful opportunities.

The NAWCJ Board looks forward to receiving your applications for certification and recertification as Certified Workers’ Compensation Adjudicators.