ketable skills, the plan must consist of a program which trains or educates the injured employee and provides job placement assistance. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 616C.560, such a program must not exceed: (a) If the injured employee has incurred a permanent disability as a result of which permanent restrictions on his ability to work have been imposed but no permanent physical impairment rating has been issued, or a permanent disability with a permanent physical impairment of 1 percent or more but less than 6 percent, 9 months. (b) If the injured employee has incurred a permanent physical impairment of 6 percent or more, but less than 11 percent, 1 year. (c) If the injured employee has incurred a permanent physical impairment of 11 percent or more, 18 months. The percentage of the injured employee’s permanent physical impairment must be determined pursuant to NRS 616C.490. 4. A plan for a program of vocational rehabilitation must comply with the requirements set forth in NRS 616C.585. 5. A plan created pursuant to subsection 2 or 3 must assist the employee in finding a job or train or educate the employee and assist him in finding a job that is a part of an employer’s regular business operations and from which the employee will gain skills that would generally be transferable to a job with another employer. 6. A program of vocational rehabilitation must not commence before the treating physician or chiropractor, or an examining physician or chiropractor determines that the injured employee is capable of safely participating in the program. 7. If, based upon the opinion of a treating or an examining physician or chiropractor, the counselor determines that an injured employee is not eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, the counselor shall provide a copy of the opinion to the injured employee, the injured employee’s employer and the insurer. 8. A plan for a program of vocational rehabilitation must be signed by a certified vocational rehabilitation counselor. 9. If an initial program of vocational rehabilitation pursuant to this section is unsuccessful, an injured employee may submit a written request for the development of a second program of vocational rehabilitation which relates to the same injury. An insurer shall authorize a second program for an injured employee upon good cause shown. 10. If a second program of vocational rehabilitation pursuant to subsection 9 is unsuccessful, an injured employee may submit a written request for the development of a third program of vocational rehabilitation which relates to the same injury. The insurer, with the approval of the employer who was the injured employee’s employer at the time of his injury, may authorize a third program for the injured employee. If such an employer has terminated operations, his approval is not required for authorization of a third program. An insurer’s determination to authorize or deny a third program of vocational rehabilitation may not be appealed. 11. The Division shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. The regulations must specify the contents of a plan for a program of vocational rehabilitation. (Added to NRS by 1993, 665; A 1993, 797, 2447, 2456; 1995, 2147; 1999, 1793; 2001, 1901; 2005, 1495) NRS 616C.560 Extension of program for vocational rehabilitation. 1. A program for vocational rehabilitation developed pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 616C.555 may be extended: (a) Without condition or limitation, by the insurer at his sole discretion; or (b) In accordance with this section if: (1) The injured employee makes a written request to extend the program within 30 days after he receives written notification that he is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services; and (2) There are exceptional circumstances which make it unlikely that the injured employee will obtain suitable gainful employment as a result of vocational rehabilitation which is limited to the period for which he is eligible. An insurer’s determination to grant or deny an extension pursuant to paragraph (a) may not be appealed. 2. If an injured employee has incurred a permanent physical impairment of less than 11 percent: (a) The total length of the program, including any extension, must not exceed 2 years. (b) “Exceptional circumstances” shall be deemed to exist for the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection 1, if: (1) The injured employee lacks work experience, training, education or other transferable skills for an occupation which he is physically capable of performing; or (2) Severe physical restrictions as a result of the industrial injury have been imposed by a physician which significantly limit the employee’s occupational opportunities. 3. If an injured employee has incurred a permanent physical impairment of 11 percent or more: (a) The total length of the program, including any extension, must not exceed 2 1/2 years. (b) “Exceptional circumstances” shall be deemed to exist for the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection 1, if the injured employee has suffered: (1) The total and permanent loss of sight of both eyes; (2) The loss by separation of a leg at or above the knee; (3) The loss by separation of a hand at or above the wrist; (4) An injury to the head or spine which results in permanent and complete paralysis of both legs, both arms or a leg and an arm; (5) An injury to the head which results in a severe cognitive functional impairment which may be established by a nationally recognized form of objective psychological testing; (6) The loss by separation of an arm at or above the elbow and the loss by separation of a leg at or above the knee; (7) An injury consisting of second or third degree burns on 50 percent or more of the body, both hands or the face; (8) A total bilateral loss of hearing; (9) The total loss or significant and permanent impairment of speech; or (10) A permanent physical impairment of 50 percent or more determined pursuant to NRS 616C.490, if the severity of the impairment limits the injured employee’s gainful employment to vocations that are primarily intellectual and require a longer program of education. 4. The insurer shall deliver a copy of its decision granting or denying an extension to the injured employee and the employer. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the decision shall be deemed to be a final determination of the insurer for the purposes of NRS 616C.315. (Added to NRS by 1993, 666; A 1993, 2448; 1997, 1440; 1999, 1794) NRS 616C.570 On-the-job training as component of plan for program of vocational rehabilitation. 1. A plan for a program of vocational rehabilitation developed pursuant to NRS 616C.555 may include a program for on-the-job training, if the training is suitable for the injured employee. 2. Before an injured employee may participate in a program for on-the-job training, the insurer and the employer must execute a written agreement which contains an explanation of the training and a schedule for that training. 3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, the insurer may pay not more than 50 percent of the wages of an injured employee who is participating in a program for on-the-job training. An insurer contributing toward the wages of an injured employee shall pay the employee within 10 days after the employee submits documentation of his payroll to the insurer. The insurer shall not contribute to the wages of the injured employee for more than the period authorized for the particular employee pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 616C.555 or 616C.560. 4. The insurer shall, within 30 days after receipt of a request for payment, reimburse the training employer for the wages pai

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