CA-17 · OWCP Form
Duty Status Report
The form your physician completes to tell your employer what work you can and cannot do.
Who Files
Your treating physician completes it; you bring or send the completed form to your employer.
When to File
Initially after your first OWCP-related visit, then at every meaningful change in your work capacity. Your employer needs current restrictions to assign appropriate duty.
Deadline
Update on every status change. Employers and OWCP both expect a fresh CA-17 at minimum every 30–60 days while you're under work restrictions.
What the Form Does
Documents your specific physical restrictions (lifting limits, sitting/standing tolerance, no overhead reach, etc.). Your agency uses it to offer light or modified duty — and to determine whether you're eligible for wage-loss compensation.
The Doctor's Role
We complete CA-17 forms with the specificity OWCP and your agency expect — every restriction quantified, every duration noted.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Claim
- ✕Vague CA-17 entries ('avoid heavy lifting') — OWCP and employers want specifics like '15 lb maximum'
- ✕Not updating the CA-17 when your condition changes (delays accommodation or wage-loss decisions)
- ✕Letting an employer pressure you into ignoring restrictions documented on the CA-17
Where to Get the Official CA-17 Form
The official CA-17 form is published by the U.S. Department of Labor at dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/forms. Your employing agency should also have copies on hand. We help you complete the form correctly during your visit.