Decode a California PD rating string field by field — the impairment number, WPI, the [1.4] or FEC modifier, the occupational group and variant, the age-adjusted rating, apportionment, and the final PD%.
Every California PD rating can be written as a single string that records each step of the computation. Once you can read it, you can check any rating at a glance. (Prefer to skip the reading? Paste any string into the free rating-string decoder and it does this whole walkthrough for you — with the math verified against the schedule.)
Read left to right, each field is one step from the calculation:
Field
Example
Meaning
Apportionment
80%
Industrial share, applied at the end: 80% of the pre-apportionment 23 = 18 (§4663). 100% means no reduction.
Impairment #
16.02.02.00
The PDRS impairment code — here, the shoulder’s “Other” category (shoulder range of motion is 16.02.01.00).
WPI
13
The physician’s whole-person impairment percentage.
[modifier] standard
[1.4]18
The SB 863 ×1.4 (or an FEC rank for 2005–2012) applied to WPI: 13 × 1.4 = 18.
Group + variant
230G
Occupational group 230, variant G for this impairment.
Occupation-adjusted
20
Standard rating after the occupational variant (18 → 20).
Age-adjusted
23
After the age adjustment — an older worker nudges it up (20 → 23).
= final
18% PD
The age-adjusted 23 reduced by 80% apportionment = 18% PD (before combining).
Era tells you the modifier
The bracketed field is the fastest way to date a rating. [1.4] is the SB 863 flat multiplier for injuries on or after January 1, 2013. A number like [7] is an FEC rank, used for injuries from 2005 through 2012. Same string shape, different modifier — see rates & eras by year.
When there are several body parts
Each impairment gets its own string; the final PD is the combination of their finals (largest-first, via the Combined Values Chart), not the sum. An 18% shoulder combined with an 11% back and a 7% neck is 32% PD, not 36%.
Try it
Paste or rebuild any rating in the calculator and it shows the full string plus the weeks and dollars behind it. The sample exhibit shows several strings on one case.
FAQ
What does a PD rating string mean?
It records every step of the rating in one line: apportionment% (impairment number − WPI − [modifier]standard − group+variant − occupation-adjusted − age-adjusted) = final PD%. Reading it left to right retraces exactly how the number was built.
What does [1.4] mean in a rating string?
The bracketed value is the FEC/impairment modifier. [1.4] is the SB 863 flat multiplier for injuries on or after 2013; for 2005–2012 injuries you’ll instead see the FEC rank, e.g. [7].
What does 380H or 351G mean?
The number is the occupational group and the letter is the occupational variant assigned to that impairment for that group — for example group 380, variant H. The variant drives whether the rating goes up or down.
About this guide. Rating and dollar figures here are computed with — or checked against — RateString’s rating engine, which reproduces the State’s own published worked examples (see the proof). Where the guide relies on a statute or regulation, it cites it in the text. Descriptive information, not legal advice. See something wrong? Report an error.