The California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) Notice of Representation, filed on the official DWC-WCAB Form 6 (often called the “Notice of Appearance”), is the document an attorney, hearing representative, or lien claimant files to formally tell the WCAB and every other party that they now represent a specific party in a workers’ compensation case. It is the procedural switch that puts a representative on the record, routes all future service through that representative, and triggers ethical and statutory duties under Labor Code §§ 4903, 4906, and 5700 and the WCAB Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Filing it wrong, or skipping the proof of service, can stall hearings, void notices, and even draw sanctions under Labor Code § 5813. According to the DWC’s most recent EAMS performance reports, more than 750,000 documents are e-filed into EAMS each year, and roughly 8–12% of attorney-filed documents get rejected or deferred for formatting or service errors — a Notice of Appearance is one of the most commonly bounced.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- 📝 What the Notice of Representation does and exactly who must sign it
- 📂 Which documents, ID numbers, and case data to gather before opening the form
- 🖥️ How to fill out every box on DWC-WCAB Form 6, line by line, with sample entries
- ⚖️ How to file through EAMS JET File, the public e-form portal, mail, or in person
- 🚫 The most common mistakes that get a Notice of Appearance rejected and how to avoid them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Notice of Representation Before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board is a one-page form that places an attorney or non-attorney representative on the official record for a named party in a pending or anticipated workers’ compensation case. It is governed by 8 C.C.R. § 10390 and the related service rules at 8 C.C.R. §§ 10625 and 10628. Once filed, every notice, decision, and pleading must be served on the representative instead of the represented party.
Anyone stepping in as counsel or representative files it. That includes applicant attorneys representing an injured worker, defense attorneys representing an employer or insurance carrier, lien claimant representatives appearing on a medical-legal or treatment lien, and non-attorney hearing representatives authorized under Labor Code § 4907. Pro se injured workers do not file this form for themselves; they file a DWC-1 claim form and an Application for Adjudication.
The form is not optional. Without it, the WCAB treats the party as either unrepresented or still represented by prior counsel, and service of decisions continues to flow to the wrong inbox. That gap can cause missed appeal deadlines under Labor Code § 5903 (the 25-day Petition for Reconsideration window) and missed hearing dates that lead to defaults or dismissals.
A common misconception is that signing a retainer or fee agreement is enough to make the appearance official. It is not. The fee agreement is a private contract; the Notice of Representation is the public, jurisdictional act that binds the WCAB and opposing parties.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pull these items together before opening the form. Missing any one of them is the most frequent cause of an EAMS rejection.
- The ADJ case number — the unique EAMS case identifier (formatted ADJ1234567). Without it, the filing cannot be associated with the case and EAMS will reject it.
- The injured worker’s full legal name and date of injury — required to confirm party identity. A wrong DOI routes the document to the wrong claim.
- The represented party’s role — applicant, defendant, lien claimant, or other. Choosing the wrong role places the representative on the wrong side of the caption.
- The representative’s State Bar number or WCAB hearing-rep number — under Labor Code § 4907, non-attorneys must be authorized; attorneys must be active members of the State Bar of California.
- The law firm or representative’s full address, phone, fax, and email — this becomes the official service address and must match the firm’s EAMS profile exactly.
- The Official Address Record (OAR) number for the firm — every regular EAMS filer has an OAR; a mismatched OAR triggers a “party not on file” defect.
- A signed retainer or authorization — not filed with the Notice, but required to exist before signing under Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5 for attorneys.
- A proof of service list — names and service addresses of every other party, including the carrier, employer, applicant or applicant’s attorney, lien claimants, and the assigned WCAB district office.
- The correct WCAB district office — venue is tied to the worker’s residence or place of injury under Labor Code § 5501.5; the wrong office means the wrong service list.
- A scanned PDF copy of the completed, signed form — EAMS only accepts text-searchable PDFs under 10 MB, per the EAMS Trading Partner Agreement.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, current version of DWC-WCAB Form 6 — Notice of Representation lives on the Division of Workers’ Compensation forms page. Always download a fresh copy each time you file; the DWC periodically refreshes the revision date in the bottom-left footer, and an outdated revision can be rejected as a non-conforming document under 8 C.C.R. § 10205.4.
You can also pick up a paper copy at any of the 24 WCAB district offices listed on the DWC district office directory, including Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, Van Nuys, Anaheim, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, and Fresno. District offices each maintain a counter window with blank forms during regular business hours, generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For high-volume filers, the form is also available within the EAMS JET File system — the XML-based bulk filing channel described in the EAMS JET File Business Rules. JET filers do not upload the PDF; they transmit the form data inside an XML payload that EAMS converts into the document of record.
A nuance most newcomers miss: the WCAB sometimes refers to the form as a “Notice of Appearance,” sometimes as a “Notice of Representation,” and EAMS calls the document type “Notice of Representation” in its Document Cover Sheet dropdown. Always pick that exact dropdown label, or the document will index incorrectly.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the WCAB Notice of Representation Line by Line
The form is short, but every box is jurisdictional. Use the exact field names printed on the current revision and follow each step in order.
Header — “State of California, Division of Workers’ Compensation, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board”
What the field asks in plain English. This pre-printed header tells the reader which agency receives the filing. You do not edit it, but you must confirm it appears at the top of the page.
How to answer it. Leave the header text alone. Confirm the form revision date (lower-left corner) is the most recent one shown on the DWC forms page.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez, an applicant attorney in Long Beach, downloads the form, sees the footer reads Form 6 (Rev. 01/2024), checks the DWC site, confirms it matches, and saves the PDF as NOR-Lopez-ADJ7654321.pdf.
A nuance or edge case. If the footer says Rev. 10/2008 or any older date, discard the file. The WCAB has rejected stale-revision filings even when the field labels are unchanged.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers print a Form 6 saved on a hard drive from years ago. EAMS flags the document type but a clerk later notices a mismatched footer, generates a Notice of Intention to Strike, and the appearance is delayed 10 days while the filer cures.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many believe the header is decorative. It is not — it identifies the venue and is the basis for indexing the document inside EAMS.
Case Caption Block — Injured Worker, Employer, Insurance Carrier, and ADJ Number
What the field asks in plain English. This block establishes which case the appearance attaches to. It lists the injured worker (applicant), the employer, the insurance carrier or claims administrator, and the ADJ case number.
How to answer it. Type the injured worker’s full legal name (last, first, middle) exactly as it appears on the Application for Adjudication of Claim. Add the employer’s legal name (not the DBA), the carrier or third-party administrator name, and the seven-digit ADJ number formatted ADJ1234567 with no space and no dash.
A specific example answer. Lopez, Maria E. v. Sunrise Logistics, Inc.; State Compensation Insurance Fund; ADJ7654321.
A nuance or edge case. Cases with multiple injuries often carry multiple ADJ numbers (called a “consolidated” or “MAS — Master” case). List every ADJ number, separated by semicolons, so the appearance attaches to all of them.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers transpose digits in the ADJ number. EAMS will then file the Notice into the wrong case or reject it outright as “case not found,” and the represented party remains unrepresented of record.
A misconception people hold about this field. Some filers think the EAMS case number (the internal number that begins with a different prefix) is the same as the ADJ number. It is not. Always use the public-facing ADJ number on the form.
Box: “I Hereby Give Notice That I Represent the Following Party”
What the field asks in plain English. This is the operative declaration — it tells the WCAB which party the signer represents.
How to answer it. Check the single box that matches your client’s role: Applicant, Defendant, Lien Claimant, or Other (with a write-in line). Only one box may be checked.
A specific example answer. Defense attorney Marcus Reed, appearing for State Compensation Insurance Fund, checks Defendant and writes the carrier’s name on the adjacent line: State Compensation Insurance Fund (administering for Sunrise Logistics, Inc.).
A nuance or edge case. Lien claimants frequently mis-check Defendant because they are adverse to the applicant on lien issues. They are not defendants — they are lien claimants under Labor Code § 4903. Check Lien Claimant.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Checking two boxes (e.g., Defendant and Lien Claimant on a subrogation lien) creates an ambiguous appearance. The WCAB will treat the filing as defective, and the representative will not appear on the official address record.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think “Other” is a safe catch-all. It is not. “Other” is reserved for unusual roles like the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund or Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund, governed by Labor Code § 3716.
Representative Identification Block — Name, Firm, Address
What the field asks in plain English. This block identifies who is appearing. It captures the representative’s name, the firm name, the office address, and contact information.
How to answer it. Type the representative’s full name as registered with the State Bar or the DWC’s Hearing Representative roster. Add the firm’s full legal name, street address (no P.O. boxes for service of process), city, state, and ZIP. Include a direct phone, a fax (still required by some district offices), and a monitored email.
A specific example answer. Maria E. Lopez, Esq. — Lopez & Vega Law, APC — 555 Ocean Boulevard, Suite 400, Long Beach, CA 90802 — (562) 555-0143 — fax (562) 555-0144 — service@lopezvegalaw.com.
A nuance or edge case. Solo practitioners with a virtual office must use a physical street address that can accept hand-delivery. P.O. boxes alone violate 8 C.C.R. § 10544 (address record requirements).
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. The address on the form does not match the firm’s EAMS Official Address Record. EAMS will accept the document but service will continue to the OAR address, and the lawyer never receives notices — leading to missed Mandatory Settlement Conferences and Order Taking Off Calendar.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think updating the EAMS profile updates every prior case. It does not. You must file a Notice of Change of Address in each case, separately, under 8 C.C.R. § 10544.
Box: State Bar Number or Hearing Representative Number
What the field asks in plain English. This field identifies the legal authority under which the person is appearing.
How to answer it. Enter the six-digit California State Bar number for attorneys, or the WCAB-assigned hearing representative number for non-attorneys authorized under Labor Code § 4907. Out-of-state attorneys appearing pro hac vice must include the California sponsoring attorney’s bar number and reference the granted application.
A specific example answer. State Bar No. 287314 for Maria Lopez; Hearing Rep. No. HR-04217 for non-attorney lien-claim representative Janet Kim.
A nuance or edge case. A suspended or inactive attorney cannot appear. The State Bar’s public attorney search lists current status; appearance while suspended violates Business and Professions Code § 6125 and is unauthorized practice of law.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Listing a paralegal’s or law clerk’s name with a fake or borrowed bar number. The WCAB cross-checks bar numbers against the State Bar API and will report apparent UPL to the Office of Chief Trial Counsel.
A misconception people hold about this field. Some non-attorneys believe a notarized power of attorney lets them appear. It does not — only a hearing-rep certification under Labor Code § 4907 authorizes WCAB appearances.
Box: Date the Representation Begins
What the field asks in plain English. This sets the effective date of the appearance — the date opposing parties must begin serving the representative.
How to answer it. Enter today’s date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Avoid backdating, which can be construed as fraud on the tribunal.
A specific example answer. 05/26/2026.
A nuance or edge case. When substituting in for prior counsel, the date here is the date of the new appearance, not the date of the underlying retainer.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave the date blank, planning to fill it on filing day, then forget. EAMS does not require it, but the absence creates ambiguity if a service dispute arises later.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the appearance is retroactive to the retainer date. It is not — the appearance is effective as of the filing and service date under 8 C.C.R. § 10625.
Signature Block
What the field asks in plain English. The representative’s signature certifies the truth of the form and accepts the duties of representation.
How to answer it. Sign in wet ink or apply a conformed signature like /s/ Maria E. Lopez if filing electronically. Print the name and title beneath the signature line.
A specific example answer. Signature: /s/ Maria E. Lopez — Maria E. Lopez, Esq., Attorney for Applicant — Date: 05/26/2026.
A nuance or edge case. Multi-attorney firms should designate a single attorney of record. Listing multiple attorneys on one Notice creates ambiguity about who receives service and who is responsible under Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers e-sign with an image of the signature stamped onto a flattened PDF that is not text-searchable. EAMS rejects non-OCR PDFs under the EAMS document filing standards.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe a paralegal can sign “for” the attorney. They cannot — only the attorney or authorized hearing rep can sign, under Code of Civil Procedure § 128.7 principles imported into WCAB practice.
Proof of Service (Attached, Not Part of Form 6 Itself)
What the field asks in plain English. Every WCAB filing must show that every other party received a copy. The Proof of Service is a separate page attached to the Notice.
How to answer it. Use the DWC Proof of Service form or a compliant declaration. List every party’s name and service address, the method of service (mail, personal, email by agreement), and the date of service. Sign under penalty of perjury.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez serves State Compensation Insurance Fund (carrier), Sunrise Logistics, Inc. (employer), Long Beach WCAB district office, and lien claimant United Imaging, Inc. by U.S. Mail on 05/26/2026 and signs the POS.
A nuance or edge case. Email service is allowed only when parties have agreed to it under 8 C.C.R. § 10628. Without consent, mail or personal delivery is required.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Forgetting to serve the carrier or the lien claimants. The Notice may still be filed, but those parties keep serving the wrong address, which can void notices of hearings and reset the clock on appeals.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think e-filing in EAMS automatically serves all parties. It does not — EAMS files but does not serve. The filer remains responsible for traditional service.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Applicant Attorney Appearing for a Newly Retained Injured Worker
Maria Lopez, an applicant attorney in Long Beach, is just retained by Carlos Mendoza, a delivery driver who hurt his back at Sunrise Logistics. The case has an existing ADJ number from a prior unrepresented application.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Case Caption — Applicant | Mendoza, Carlos A. |
| Case Caption — Employer | Sunrise Logistics, Inc. |
| Case Caption — Carrier | State Compensation Insurance Fund |
| ADJ Number | ADJ7654321 |
| Party Represented | ☑ Applicant |
| Representative Name | Maria E. Lopez, Esq. |
| Firm and Address | Lopez & Vega Law, APC, 555 Ocean Blvd., Ste. 400, Long Beach, CA 90802 |
| State Bar Number | 287314 |
| Date Representation Begins | 05/26/2026 |
| Signature | /s/ Maria E. Lopez |
| Proof of Service Attached | Yes — served carrier, employer, Long Beach DO |
Scenario 2: Defense Attorney Substituting in for Prior Defense Counsel Mid-Case
Marcus Reed of Reed & Patel LLP is brought in by State Fund to replace prior defense firm Brown Defense Group after a panel QME dispute heats up.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Case Caption — Applicant | Mendoza, Carlos A. |
| Case Caption — Employer | Sunrise Logistics, Inc. |
| Case Caption — Carrier | State Compensation Insurance Fund |
| ADJ Number | ADJ7654321 |
| Party Represented | ☑ Defendant — State Compensation Insurance Fund |
| Representative Name | Marcus J. Reed, Esq. |
| Firm and Address | Reed & Patel LLP, 800 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
| State Bar Number | 215488 |
| Date Representation Begins | 05/26/2026 |
| Signature | /s/ Marcus J. Reed |
| Proof of Service Attached | Yes — served applicant attorney, employer, prior defense, lien claimants |
Scenario 3: Non-Attorney Hearing Rep Appearing on a Medical Lien
Janet Kim is a certified hearing representative for United Imaging, Inc., a radiology lien claimant under Labor Code § 4903(b).
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Case Caption — Applicant | Mendoza, Carlos A. |
| Case Caption — Employer | Sunrise Logistics, Inc. |
| Case Caption — Carrier | State Compensation Insurance Fund |
| ADJ Number | ADJ7654321 |
| Party Represented | ☑ Lien Claimant — United Imaging, Inc. |
| Representative Name | Janet Kim, Hearing Representative |
| Firm and Address | United Imaging Lien Services, 2200 Main St., Ste. 210, Anaheim, CA 92805 |
| Hearing Rep Number | HR-04217 |
| Date Representation Begins | 05/26/2026 |
| Signature | /s/ Janet Kim |
| Proof of Service Attached | Yes — served applicant attorney, defense attorney, employer, carrier, district office |
How to File the Completed Form
The WCAB accepts the Notice of Representation through four channels. Pick one and follow the channel-specific rules.
EAMS JET File (high-volume electronic). JET File is the XML batch channel for trading partners. Filers must execute a Trading Partner Agreement with the DWC, transmit the document inside a compliant XML envelope, and receive an Acknowledgment and Filing Receipt back from EAMS. There is no filing fee. Processing time is usually under 24 hours. Keep the EAMS Filing Receipt with the case file as your proof of filing.
EAMS Public e-Form Filing. Solo practitioners and small firms upload PDFs through the public EAMS e-form portal. Attach the signed Notice plus the Document Cover Sheet and Document Separator Sheet, choose the document type Notice of Representation, and submit. No fee. Acceptance is usually same-day, with an emailed confirmation as proof.
Mail. Send the original signed Notice plus the Proof of Service to the assigned WCAB district office at the address on the DWC district office directory. No fee. Use certified mail with return receipt as proof of filing — processing is typically 5–10 business days.
In Person. Walk the original signed Notice and Proof of Service to the filing window at the assigned district office during business hours. The clerk endorses a copy Filed and hands it back. No fee. Same-day acceptance. Keep the file-stamped copy.
A nuance: the assigned district office is set by the worker’s residence at the time of injury under Labor Code § 5501.5. Filing in the wrong district office means the document floats until clerks transfer it — sometimes weeks.
What Happens After You File
Once the Notice clears the EAMS document review queue, the case caption updates to show the new representative on the Official Address Record. From that point on, every Minute Order, Notice of Hearing, Award, and Order generated by the WCAB is served on the representative at the listed address.
EAMS sends a Document Filing Receipt via email or through the JET File response, listing the assigned Document ID and the date filed. Save that receipt — it is the proof you need if a service dispute arises later. The receipt also confirms the document is now searchable through the EAMS public case information search.
The opposing party should respond by serving you their next pleadings and any pending discovery. If they continue to serve the prior representative or the unrepresented party, send a meet-and-confer letter citing 8 C.C.R. § 10625. Continued mis-service may justify a motion to strike or, in egregious cases, sanctions under Labor Code § 5813.
If prior counsel was on the case, they should file either a Substitution of Attorney or a Notice of Withdrawal. The Notice of Representation alone does not discharge prior counsel — that takes a separate document under 8 C.C.R. § 10403.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Wrong ADJ number. The Notice files into the wrong case and the appearance never attaches.
- Outdated form revision. The clerk issues a Notice of Intention to Strike, delaying the appearance by 10 days.
- No Proof of Service attached. EAMS may accept the document, but opposing parties keep serving the wrong address, leading to missed deadlines.
- Address mismatch with the Official Address Record. Service flows to the OAR address, not the form address — and the lawyer misses notices.
- Multiple boxes checked for “party represented.” The appearance is ambiguous and treated as defective.
- Listing a P.O. Box only. Violates 8 C.C.R. § 10544 and triggers an address-record defect.
- Suspended or inactive bar number. Constitutes unauthorized practice under Business and Professions Code § 6125 and is reportable to the State Bar.
- Non-OCR’d, image-only PDF. EAMS rejects the upload and the appearance is not on file until the cure.
- Filing only in EAMS without separately serving parties. Filing is not service; opposing parties remain unserved.
- Forgetting to also serve the lien claimants. Lien hearings later proceed without the new attorney getting notice, jeopardizing the client’s claim.
- Mis-spelling the injured worker’s name. Document indexes incorrectly and may not appear in case search.
- Skipping the Document Cover Sheet on a paper filing. The Document Management Unit kicks it back unfiled.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do download a fresh copy of Form 6 every time — the revision date matters.
- Do verify the ADJ number on the EAMS public case search before filing.
- Do sign the form yourself if you are the attorney of record — paralegal signatures invite UPL accusations.
- Do attach a fully completed Proof of Service to every filing.
- Do keep the EAMS Filing Receipt with the case file for at least five years.
- Do file a separate Notice of Change of Address if your firm moves later — the original Notice does not auto-update.
Don’t:
- Don’t backdate the appearance to match the retainer — this is fraud on the tribunal.
- Don’t rely on EAMS filing as service — they are different acts under 8 C.C.R. § 10628.
- Don’t check both Defendant and Lien Claimant — choose the role under Labor Code § 4903.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box as the only address.
- Don’t appear without a signed retainer or hearing-rep authorization on file.
- Don’t assume prior counsel has withdrawn — confirm a Substitution or Withdrawal under 8 C.C.R. § 10403 is filed.
Pros and Cons of Filing Pro Se vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se (the represented party self-files) | Filing Through Counsel/Hearing Rep |
|---|---|
| Pro: No attorney fees on this single act | Pro: Counsel signs, ensuring the filing is procedurally correct |
| Pro: Quick if the party is comfortable in EAMS | Pro: Counsel knows the OAR rules and avoids address mismatches |
| Pro: Direct knowledge of party identity prevents typos | Pro: Counsel handles Proof of Service correctly the first time |
| Con: Pro se parties cannot file this form for themselves anyway | Con: Costs attorney time, even though there is no court fee |
| Con: Errors on form trigger Notice of Intention to Strike, costing 10+ days | Con: A poorly informed associate may still misfile if unfamiliar with EAMS |
| Con: Pro se parties miss deadlines while curing defects | Con: Multiple-attorney firms must designate one attorney of record |
A practical takeaway: a Notice of Representation is, by definition, filed by the representative. Pro se applicants do not file Form 6 — they simply file the DWC-1 claim form and proceed unrepresented. The “pro se vs. counsel” choice is therefore really a choice between doing it yourself as the attorney/rep or delegating preparation to staff while you sign.
FAQs
Is the WCAB Notice of Representation the same as a Notice of Appearance?
Yes. The DWC’s official form is titled Notice of Representation, but practitioners often call it a Notice of Appearance. EAMS indexes the document type as Notice of Representation.
Is there a filing fee for the Notice of Representation?
No. The WCAB does not charge a fee to file Form 6 through any channel — JET File, public e-form, mail, or in person.
Do I check Defendant or Lien Claimant in Box 3 if I represent a subrogated carrier with a credit claim?
No. Subrogated employers/carriers asserting a credit claim under Labor Code § 3861 check Other and write in Subrogated Employer/Credit Claimant on the line provided.
Does e-filing in EAMS automatically serve the other parties?
No. EAMS files but does not serve. The filer must separately serve all parties under 8 C.C.R. § 10628 and attach a Proof of Service.
Can a paralegal sign the Notice of Representation for the attorney?
No. Only the attorney of record or an authorized Labor Code § 4907 hearing representative may sign. A paralegal signature can trigger UPL review.
Do I list my P.O. Box in the address field?
No. A street address that can accept hand-delivery is required under 8 C.C.R. § 10544. A P.O. Box may be added as a secondary mailing address but cannot stand alone.
Does the Notice of Representation discharge prior counsel?
No. Prior counsel remains attorney of record until they file a Substitution of Attorney or Notice of Withdrawal under 8 C.C.R. § 10403.
Do I need to file a Notice of Representation in every consolidated ADJ case?
Yes. List every ADJ number on a single Notice and serve every party in every consolidated file, or file separate Notices in each case.
Can an out-of-state attorney appear by filing this form?
No. Out-of-state counsel must first secure pro hac vice admission and associate California counsel, then list the California attorney as the attorney of record on Form 6.
Do I list my State Bar number or my firm’s EIN?
Yes, the State Bar number — the EIN is irrelevant. Attorneys list the six-digit California State Bar number, while non-attorneys list the WCAB-assigned hearing rep number.
Does a signed retainer make the appearance official without filing Form 6?
No. The retainer is a private contract. The Notice of Representation is the public, jurisdictional act that places the representative on the record.
Can I file the Notice of Representation before an Application for Adjudication is filed?
No. The form requires an ADJ case number, which is assigned only after the Application is filed under 8 C.C.R. § 10450. File the Application first, then the Notice.
Will the WCAB sanction me for filing a defective Notice of Representation?
Yes, in egregious cases. Bad-faith filings or repeated defects can draw monetary sanctions up to $2,500 per offense under Labor Code § 5813 and 8 C.C.R. § 10421.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California WCAB Application for Adjudication of Claim + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB Mandatory Settlement Conference Statement + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB Petition for Reconsideration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB Petition to Terminate Liability + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB DWC-AD 1 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB Lien Claim (w/Examples) + FAQs