Data Reporting Background
In accordance with the California Workers’ Compensation Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan—1995 (USRP), insurers are required to report unit statistical report (USR) data by electronic submission. Prior to submitting this data, insurers or their authorized third party entity (TPE) must undergo testing and receive approval to report USR information electronically. Testing is required so that the WCIRB can review submission file format compliance, ensure that insurers or their authorized TPEs pass the WCIRB USR Preprocessing Errors and review the USR data in our system so that major audit errors and reporting problems can be addressed before the USR is officially submitted.
Learn more about the TPE authorization process on the Using Third Parties page.
Electronic USR Submission Testing Requirements
An insurer or their authorized TPE must submit a test file(s) for approval before beginning to report production USR files electronically to the WCIRB.
Testing is required under the following conditions:
| Testing Scenarios | Authorized TPE | Insurer |
| Plans to submit USR data for the first time in California | YES | YES |
| Plans to submit USR data for a new insurer as part of an existing insurer group | YES | YES |
| Plans to submit USR data for a new insurer | YES | N/A |
| Transitions to a new system for entering or creating USR data submissions, including transitions to and from BEEP and proprietary systems | YES | YES |
| Significant changes made to proprietary system for entering or creating USR submissions or any changes that could affect data quality1 | YES | YES |
If testing is required, review the Getting Started Guide and Checklist for Electronic USR Submission Testing page prior to beginning the testing process. Please note that data submitters must complete testing and receive approval by the WCIRB for all USR transaction types within the required completion dates (see Electronic USR Submission Testing Phases and Test File Requirements).
Testing Resources
There are several steps to the testing process. The following guides provide data submitters with resources on where to begin and what to expect:
- Getting Started Guide and Checklist for Electronic USR Submission Testing
- Electronic USR Submission Testing Phases and Test File Requirements
- WCIRB Data Reporting Handbook – Unit Statistical Reporting
- WCIO Specifications
1 Failure to notify the WCIRB of system changes that would qualify an insurer or their authorized TPE for testing may result in remedial actions.