--- title: "Rhode Island Workers' Comp Requirements for Employers | MCC" description: "Rhode Island 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-rhode-island" --- Workers' comp · Rhode Island # Rhode Island 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.** Employers with one or more employees. ## At a glance Who must carry it Employers with one or more employees. Owners and officers Individual owners and partners are exempt. Most corporate officers are included as employees unless they file a waiver form. Independent contractors Independent contractors aren't eligible for benefits and must file a DWC 11-IC form for each hiring entity. Self-insurance The division's coverage search includes certified self-insured employers. Going without Fines of $1,000 for each day without coverage; on conviction, a $10,000 fine and two years in prison. Workplace notice Display the state-required poster naming the insurer or adjusting company. Check a policy Use the division's Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage Verification page; for help call (401) 462-8100. Agency Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workers' Compensation ## In the agency's words **The rule** Hiring in another state? [Employer registration in Rhode Island, done for you](/bookkeeping/out-of-state-employer-registration), or [a free bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check). "Rhode Island law requires employers with one or more employees to provide workers' compensation insurance." **Owners** "Corporate Officers are usually included as employees unless they file a waiver form" **Contractors** "An independent contractor must file a DWC 11-IC form for each hiring entity" **Going without** "may be fined $1,000 per day for each day without workers' compensation insurance." **Notice** "The state-required poster naming the employer's insurance company or adjusting company must be displayed in the workplace." ## 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=ri&employees=2&industry=other&biz=llc) - **4 employees, construction, corporation:** Required. [See why](/bookkeeping/do-i-need-workers-comp-checker?state=ri&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=ri&employees=6&industry=other&biz=sole) Your own numbers: [open the checker for Rhode Island](/bookkeeping/do-i-need-workers-comp-checker?state=ri). ## Official sources - [Workers' Compensation: Employers (Rhode Island DLT)](https://dlt.ri.gov/wc/employers/) (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 Rhode Island?** Employers with one or more employees. The agency puts it as "Rhode Island law requires employers with one or more employees to provide workers' compensation insurance." **Do owners and officers need coverage in Rhode Island?** Individual owners and partners are exempt. Most corporate officers are included as employees unless they file a waiver form. **What about independent contractors in Rhode Island?** Independent contractors aren't eligible for benefits and must file a DWC 11-IC form for each hiring entity. **What happens to a Rhode Island employer with no coverage?** Fines of $1,000 for each day without coverage; on conviction, a $10,000 fine and two years in prison. **What notice must a Rhode Island employer post?** Display the state-required poster naming the insurer or adjusting company. **Can an employer self-insure in Rhode Island?** The division's coverage search includes certified self-insured employers. All states: [workers' comp requirements by state](/bookkeeping/workers-comp-requirements-by-state) · [Pennsylvania](/bookkeeping/workers-comp-pennsylvania) · [Tennessee](/bookkeeping/workers-comp-tennessee) Keeping coverage records in Rhode Island? ## Workers' Comp and Business Insurance Records Kit A state coverage checklist with Rhode Island'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)