June 17, 2026 · OWCP Forms · 8 min read

How to Complete OWCP Form CA-17 (Duty Status Report)

The CA-17 is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — forms in the entire OWCP system. It is the document that tells your federal employer exactly what work you can and cannot perform. Done right, it protects your wage-loss benefits. Done wrong, it can cost you weeks of pay.

What Is the CA-17?

Form CA-17 is the Duty Status Report required by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP). It has two sides: Side A is filled out by the federal employer and lists the physical demands of your regular job. Side B is filled out by your treating physician and specifies what work activities you can perform — and at what level — while recovering from your injury.

When Is the CA-17 Required?

After every visit with your OWCP treating physician when your work status changes
Any time the employer asks for an updated duty status
Whenever you are released to return to work — full duty or modified
When you are taken off work entirely due to your accepted injury

Side A — Your Employer's Section

Your federal supervisor lists the physical requirements of your normal job: how much weight you lift, how long you stand, whether you climb, kneel, drive, or perform repetitive motion. This section is essential — your doctor cannot accurately set restrictions without knowing what your actual job requires. If Side A is left blank, request that your supervisor complete it before your medical visit.

Side B — Your Doctor's Section

Your treating physician documents:

Diagnosis of the accepted work injury
Date of examination and date of next visit
Whether you can return to regular duty, modified duty, or are unable to work
Specific physical restrictions — weight limits, hours of standing/sitting, repetitive motion limits
How long the restrictions are expected to last

Common CA-17 Mistakes That Hurt Your Claim

Vague restrictions

"Light duty only" is not enough. Restrictions must be specific — e.g., "no lifting over 10 lbs, no overhead reaching, sit/stand at will."

Missing causation language

The form should make clear that restrictions are due to the accepted work injury, not a pre-existing condition.

Skipping follow-up dates

Without a next-visit date, OWCP may assume your restrictions have ended.

Using a non-OWCP doctor

Many primary care providers don't know how to complete the CA-17 properly — and OWCP may reject incomplete forms.

What If Your Employer Ignores Your Restrictions?

If your federal agency assigns work that exceeds the limits on your CA-17, document it in writing immediately. You may have grounds for a CA-7 claim for compensation for any time you are forced off work as a result, and your treating physician's records will be the deciding evidence. Do not simply "tough it out" — re-injury is the most common path to a denied claim.

Need a CA-17 completed correctly?

Dr. Chris Main, DO completes CA-17 forms for federal workers every day at our Denver clinic. We also help with CA-1, CA-2, CA-7, and CA-20 — and OWCP claims assistance is free.

Call (303) 854-6919