Short answer. Every employer with one or more employees. Household employers must cover a domestic worker who works 240 hours or more in a calendar quarter.
At a glance
- Who must carry it
- Every employer with one or more employees. Household employers must cover a domestic worker who works 240 hours or more in a calendar quarter.
- Domestic workers
- Required once one or more domestic workers work 240 hours or more in a calendar quarter.
- Owners and officers
- Sole proprietors are not covered, along with casual workers and unpaid volunteers. The pages don't address partners, LLC members or officers.
- Self-insurance
- An employer may apply to self-insure; the Office of Workers' Compensation must approve it and may require a bond.
- Going without
- Up to $10,000 for failing to get coverage.
- Workplace notice
- Post the Notice of Compliance, Form 1 DCWC, at every work site.
- Check a policy
- The office's brochure says to ask your insurance agent, broker or carrier.
- Agency
- DC Office of Workers' Compensation (DOES)
In the agency's words
The rule
"Yes, if an employer has one (1) or more employees, the employer is required to have workers' compensation insurance coverage."
Domestic workers
"if one or more domestic workers are employed for 240 hours or more during any calendar quarter"
Owners
"Sole proprietors, casual workers, and unpaid volunteers are not covered."
Going without
"IF YOU FAIL TO OBTAIN COVERAGE, YOU CAN BE FINED UP TO $10,000."
Notice
"All employers in the District of Columbia must post a Notice of Compliance, Form 1 DCWC, in each workplace site."
Three example businesses
What the stated rule says for three common setups:
- 2 employees, most businesses (not construction), llc: Required. See why
- 4 employees, construction, corporation: Required. See why
- 6 employees, most businesses (not construction), sole proprietor: Required. See why
Your own numbers: open the checker for District of Columbia.
Not stated on the pages we read: independent contractors.
Official sources
- Office of Workers' Compensation FAQs (DC DOES) (checked November 2026)
- Employers: What you need to know (DC Office of Workers' Compensation brochure) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal or insurance advice; we are not lawyers or insurance agents. Rules as published on the pages above, checked November 2026. We don't recommend or sell any insurer; the agency or a licensed agent can say how a rule applies to your business.
Common questions
Who has to carry workers' comp in District of Columbia?
Every employer with one or more employees. Household employers must cover a domestic worker who works 240 hours or more in a calendar quarter. The agency puts it as "Yes, if an employer has one (1) or more employees, the employer is required to have workers' compensation insurance coverage."
Do owners and officers need coverage in District of Columbia?
Sole proprietors are not covered, along with casual workers and unpaid volunteers. The pages don't address partners, LLC members or officers.
What happens to a District of Columbia employer with no coverage?
Up to $10,000 for failing to get coverage.
What notice must a District of Columbia employer post?
Post the Notice of Compliance, Form 1 DCWC, at every work site.
Can an employer self-insure in District of Columbia?
An employer may apply to self-insure; the Office of Workers' Compensation must approve it and may require a bond.
All states: workers' comp requirements by state · California · Georgia