(a) There is created within the department an office to be known as the Office of Adjudication.

(b) The secretary shall appoint as many qualified and competent workers' compensation judges as necessary to conduct matters under this act.

(c) The secretary shall set normal working hours for workers' compensation judges. During those hours, workers' compensation judges shall devote full time to their official duties and shall perform no work inconsistent with their duties as workers' compensation judges. Workers' compensation judges shall not engage in any unapproved activities during normal working hours.

(d) Workers' compensation judges shall be afforded employment security as provided by the act of August 5, 1941 (P.L. 752, No. 286),¹ known as the “Civil Service Act.”

(e) Compensation for workers' compensation judges shall be established by the Executive Board.

(f) The secretary shall develop and require all workers' compensation judges to complete a course of training and instruction in the duties of their respective offices and pass an examination prior to assuming office. The course of training and instruction shall not exceed four weeks in duration and shall consist of a minimum of forty hours of class instruction in medicine and law.

(g) The secretary shall develop a continuing professional development plan for workers' compensation judges which shall require the annual completion of twenty hours of approved continuing professional development courses.

(h) The secretary may adopt additional rules to establish standards and procedures for the evaluation, training, promotion and discipline of workers' compensation judges.