--- title: "District of Columbia Workers' Comp Requirements" description: "District of Columbia workers' comp: 1 or more employees, owners and officers, penalties and the required notice, in the agency's words." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/workers-comp-district-of-columbia" --- Workers' comp · District of Columbia # District of Columbia workers' compensation requirements Which employers must carry coverage, how owners and contractors are treated, and what the agency's pages say about penalties, the workplace notice, self-insurance and checking a policy. [![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77) Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) **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** Hiring in another state? [Employer registration in District of Columbia, done for you](/bookkeeping/out-of-state-employer-registration), or [a free bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check). "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](/bookkeeping/do-i-need-workers-comp-checker?state=dc&employees=2&industry=other&biz=llc) - **4 employees, construction, corporation:** Required. [See why](/bookkeeping/do-i-need-workers-comp-checker?state=dc&employees=4&industry=construction&biz=corporation) - **6 employees, most businesses (not construction), sole proprietor:** Required. [See why](/bookkeeping/do-i-need-workers-comp-checker?state=dc&employees=6&industry=other&biz=sole) Your own numbers: [open the checker for District of Columbia](/bookkeeping/do-i-need-workers-comp-checker?state=dc). **Not stated on the pages we read:** independent contractors. ## Official sources - [Office of Workers' Compensation FAQs (DC DOES)](https://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/page_content/attachments/OWC_FAQs_1_23_18.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [Employers: What you need to know (DC Office of Workers' Compensation brochure)](https://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/page_content/attachments/OWC%20Employer%20brochure.pdf) (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](/bookkeeping/workers-comp-requirements-by-state) · [California](/bookkeeping/workers-comp-california) · [Florida](/bookkeeping/workers-comp-florida) Keeping coverage records in District of Columbia? ## Workers' Comp and Business Insurance Records Kit A state coverage checklist with the area’s rule and official link, a certificate of insurance log for subcontractors, an injury report and claim log, and a workbook that flags policy renewals and expiring certificates, as Word files and PDFs. [Get the kit ($15)](/toolkits/workers-comp-and-insurance-records-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/workers-comp-and-insurance-records-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund Tallyfinch ### Books you keep on your own computer Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software) ## Want payroll and insurance records kept for you? [See bookkeeping services](/bookkeeping/)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)