There are no federal regulations for workers’ compensation. Instead, state workers’ compensation law regulates individual states. When you look at each state individually, most do require some form of workers’ compensation.
Alaska
In Alaska, if you’re an employer with more than one employee, you have to obtain workers’ compensation.
Alabama
If an employer has five or more employees, then the employer must carry workers’ compensation.
Arizona
Arizona requires all of its employers, private and public, to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, the law states that any employer with three or more employees has to have workers compensation insurance.
California
Owners’ insurance in California normally covers workers’ compensation for all professions. Get free business insurance quotes for California.
Colorado
There are limited exemptions, but in Colorado, public and private employees have to provide workers compensation coverage.
Connecticut
State worker’s compensation law requires all businesses with one or more employees to have workers’ compensation coverage.
Delaware
If an employer has more than one employee, then that employer has to provide workers compensation insurance.
District of Columbia
Any business with more than one employee has to cover its employees.
Florida
In Florida, most industries that have more than four employees have to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Get a free Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Quote.
Georgia
Most employers in Georgia with three or more full time, part-time or seasonal employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. If the business is incorporated or an LLC, the corporate officers or members are included in the three or more employee count regardless of whether they exempt themselves from coverage. Get a free Georgia workers’ compensation insurance quote.
Hawaii
Most employers in Hawaii are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for all of their employees.
Idaho
Most employers have to cover their employees with workers’ compensation.
Illinois
Illinois is yet another state that requires all of its employers to carry workers compensation coverage for every one of its employees.
Indiana
Private and public businesses have to cover its employees.
Iowa
While some employers may apply to be self-insured, most must purchase workers’ compensation insurance.
Kansas
While there are some exceptions, employers in Kansas must, in general, carry a type of workers compensation insurance.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, according to state workers compensation law, a business is obligated to provide workers compensation for all employees.
Louisiana
Employers are obligated to provide insurance to their employees.
Maine
All businesses with at least one employee have to provide insurance.
Maryland
Any business with at least one employee has to provide insurance.
Massachusetts
All employers, with no exceptions, have to offer workers compensation to their employees.
Michigan
Michigan is not exempt from workers’ compensation insurance under any circumstance.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, workers’ compensation is mandatory.
Mississippi
Employers with fewer than five employees do not have to carry workers’ compensation coverage.
Missouri
For employers with five or more employees, coverage is mandatory.
Montana
In Montana, for an employer with five or more employees, state workers’ compensation law requires coverage.
Nebraska
All businesses are legally required to have workers’ compensation coverage.
Nevada
Nevada does have self-insurance options. However, for an employer with at least one employee, coverage is mandatory.
New Hampshire
Any business with one or more employees must provide workers compensation.
New Jersey
New Jersey requires all employers who aren’t covered by federal programs to have workers’ compensation coverage.
New Mexico
If an employer has three or more employees, he or she must have workers’ compensation coverage.
New York
All employers must cover their employees under workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
North Carolina
Any employer with more than three employees has to have insurance coverage.
North Dakota
All employers in North Dakota must have workers’ compensation coverage.
Ohio
If an employer has more than one employee, the employer has to have coverage.
Oklahoma
According to state workers’ compensation law, it is mandatory for all employers to carry occupational injury coverage.
Oregon
By law, it is necessary for all employers to cover their employees with workers’ compensation.
Pennsylvania
It is mandatory for Pennsylvania employers to cover their employees.
Rhode Island
In most cases, Rhode Island law states that all employers must carry coverage.
South Carolina
If there are four or more employees, then an employer must have workers compensation insurance.
South Dakota
In general, most employers have to cover their employees with workers’ compensation coverage.
Tennessee
Per state workers compensation law, an employer with five or more employees has to have insurance. In some cases, an employer may use a waiver.
Texas
According to state workers’ compensation law, compensation insurance is not mandatory in Texas. Get a free workers’ compensation insurance quote for the state of Texas.
Utah
Unless the employer is an agricultural employer that makes less than $50,000, all employers must carry coverage.
Vermont
All employers must carry insurance coverage for their employees.
Virginia
Any employer with three or more full-time or part-time workers has to purchase workers’ compensation insurance.
Washington
It is mandatory for all employers to carry workers’ compensation coverage.
West Virginia
Unless the employer is an agricultural employer with fewer than five workers, all employers need workers’ compensation coverage.
Wisconsin
If your business has fewer than three employees, then you are exempt from coverage. Other than that, no industry is exempt.
Wyoming
In Wyoming, all employers have to have coverage. Some may choose to be self-insured, but not all employers can do this.
Keep in mind that in some states, exceptions, and waivers are available. The worker’s compensation laws in all 50 states vary significantly. It is important to talk to experts who can help pinpoint which employers may be exempt from workers compensation insurance
