Duty Status (CA-17) for Federal Employees

Duty Status (CA-17) for Federal Employees: How to Get Clear Work Restrictions on File

What the CA-17 is—and why it matters to you

The CA-17 (Duty Status Report) tells your agency exactly what work you can do right now while you recover from a job-related injury or illness. OWCP and your agency use it to decide on light duty, telework, reduced hours, or time off. Clear, specific limits help you return safely and prevent misunderstandings that can slow your claim or your pay.

When you will be asked for a CA-17

• You filed a CA-1 (traumatic injury) or CA-2 (occupational disease) and your abilities changed.
• Your agency needs written limits before offering light duty.
• You are returning to work after treatment or a procedure.
• OWCP requests updated restrictions during case review.

Tip: Bring a CA-17 to every follow-up visit until you are back on regular duty.

How the form works

The CA-17 has two sides:

Side A — completed by your supervisor

This side describes your usual job demands and exposures so the doctor can write realistic limits. It includes:

• Injury basics: date, what happened, body parts affected.
• Schedule: hours per day, days per week.
• Usual work requirements: lifting/carrying maximum weight, time spent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, kneeling, bending, twisting, pushing/pulling, keyboard work, over-shoulder reaching, driving, machinery, and environmental exposures (temperature, humidity, chemicals/solvents, fumes/dust, noise).
  Ask your supervisor to fill this out accurately. If it’s missing or vague, your doctor cannot tailor safe restrictions.

Side B — completed by your treating physician

Your doctor records:

• Whether your history matches the incident you reported.
• Findings and diagnosis due to the work injury.
• Whether you can resume work, and if so, regular duty or light duty.
• Specific restrictions (weights, time limits, positions), hours per day, and a recheck date.
• Exam date, next appointment, specialty, signature, and tax ID.
  OWCP requests that physicians return Side B within 2 business days to help prevent interruptions to your income.

What to prepare before your appointment

Bring simple, concrete facts so your doctor can write numbers, not guesses.

1) A real-world task list (1 page):

• Heaviest lift/carry in a normal week (exact pounds, how often).
• Typical sitting / standing / walking blocks (minutes at a time) and daily totals.
• Keyboard time per day and any break pattern.
• Over-shoulder reaching, climbing, driving, and machinery use.
• Environmental exposures (heat/cold ranges, chemicals, dust/fumes, noise).

2) Your current limits (be honest):

• How long you can sit before pain.
• How long you can stand/walk before symptoms.
• The heaviest comfortable lift and how often.
• Which movements flare symptoms (e.g., overhead reach with right arm).

3) Your deadlines and contacts:

• OWCP file number (if assigned), agency address, your supervisor’s contact.
• Any OWCP or agency due dates for the updated CA-17.

What “good” restrictions look like

Ask your doctor to use measurable limits. Examples you can request (adjust to your condition):

• Lifting/carrying: “Up to 10 lb occasionally (≤1/3 of shift). No lifts > 10 lb.”
• Pushing/pulling: “Up to 20 lb occasionally with cart assistance.”
• Standing/walking: “Stand 15 min, then sit 15 min; total standing ≤ 2 hours/day.”
• Sitting/keyboard: “Sit 30–45 min at a time; keyboard ≤ 4 hours/day with 5-min break each hour.”
• Reaching: “No overhead reach with right arm; shoulder height only.”
• Climbing/balancing: “No ladders or scaffolds; stairs with handrail allowed.”
• Postures: “No repetitive bending/twisting; squatting ≤ 5 min/day total.”
• Environment: “Avoid temps < 40°F or > 85°F; no exposure to degreasing solvents.”
• Hours: “Workday 4–6 hours for 14 days; reevaluate on [date].”

If medication causes drowsiness or delayed reaction time, ask the doctor to note: “No commercial driving or heavy machinery.”

How often to update the CA-17

• Acute injuries: every 1–2 weeks until stable.
• Rehab phase: every 3–4 weeks or after therapy progress checks.
• Chronic conditions: at reasonable clinical intervals or when duties change.
  Upload new CA-17s to ECOMP (or your agency’s process) and share copies with your supervisor promptly.

Submitting the form without delays

• Confirm your supervisor completed Side A before your medical visit.
• Bring the form and your task list to the doctor; ask for specific limits and a recheck date.
• Ensure the physician signs Side B and returns it within 2 business days.
• Keep copies and upload per OWCP/agency instructions (often via ECOMP).
• Watch for OWCP messages and respond by the deadline.

Common pitfalls—and how to avoid them

• Vague language (“no heavy lifting”). Ask for numbers (e.g., “no lifts >10 lb”).
• No time limits for sitting/standing. Request intervals and daily totals.
• Missing end date. Ask the doctor to include “Restrictions through [date]; recheck [date].”
• Old restrictions copied forward. Update based on today’s exam and function.
• Side A left blank or wrong. Check your supervisor’s entries for accuracy before your visit.

FAQs for federal employees

Do I have to see the agency’s doctor?
Your employer may direct you for initial care or an exam, but under FECA you have the right to choose your treating physician for ongoing care.

Can my agency change the doctor’s restrictions?
They can offer duties within the restrictions, not beyond them. If a task seems outside your limits, ask for it in writing and request a review with updated CA-17 guidance from your doctor.

How often will OWCP want updates?
It varies by case. Plan for updates after key visits and whenever your function changes.

What if my doctor won’t fill the CA-17 quickly?
Bring the form to the appointment, remind the office the CA-17 affects duty status and pay, and ask for completion within 2 business days. If needed, request a same-day note that lists temporary restrictions while the form is finalized.

Where do I send it?
Follow your agency’s instructions and upload to ECOMP when requested. Keep personal copies of everything you submit.

Next steps for employees in DC/MD/VA

• Ask your supervisor to complete Side A fully and accurately.
• Bring a one-page task list and the CA-17 to your medical visit.
• Request specific, measurable limits on Side B with a recheck date.
• Share the signed CA-17 with your agency and upload per OWCP instructions.
• Update after each follow-up until you return to regular duty.

Need help translating your job into clear restrictions? Schedule a consultation in DC/MD/VA. Call our clinic or request an appointment online.

Educational guide only—not legal advice. Always follow current OWCP/FECA instructions and your agency’s procedures.