In Rhode Island, whether a business owner or corporate officer is covered by workers' compensation — and whether they can change that — depends on the entity type and Rhode Island's own rules. Getting the election right affects both your protection and your premium. Here is how inclusion and exclusion work in Rhode Island, the form or filing to use, and what it means for your policy.
Who must carry workers' compensation in Rhode Island?
Mandatory for every employer that regularly employs one or more employees under a contract of hire, with narrow domestic, farm, and real-estate exemptions.
Can owners and officers be included or excluded in Rhode Island?
| Sole proprietor | Excluded from 'employee' / not covered by default; may elect in. |
|---|---|
| Partners | Excluded by default; may elect in. |
| LLC members | Excluded by default unless the member works under a contract of service within the LLC; may elect in. |
| Corporate officers | Included by default (an officer remains an employee unless and until coverage is waived); may elect out via waiver. |
How to make the election in Rhode Island
- Official source: Rhode Island DLT — Division of Workers' Compensation
Payroll counted for an included owner in Rhode Island
When an owner or officer is included, premium is figured on their payroll between a minimum and maximum (effective 8/1/2026), set by NCCI.
| Included owner/officer minimum | $1,300 per week |
|---|---|
| Included owner/officer maximum | $5,200 per week |
Included executive officer $1,300–$5,200/week. NCCI-set, changes annually.
These amounts update periodically; we confirm the current figure for your policy.
Rhode Island's assigned-risk / residual market
An employer that can't secure workers' comp in the standard market can still get covered through Rhode Island Workers' Compensation Insurance Plan (administered by NCCI); Beacon Mutual is a quasi-public competitive carrier. We market your risk to voluntary carriers first and turn to the residual market only as a last resort.
Related
Rhode Island business insurance · Workers' compensation coverage · Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Division of Workers' Compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do business owners have to carry workers' comp on themselves in Rhode Island?
It depends on your entity and role. Excluded from 'employee' / not covered by default; may elect in. Included by default (an officer remains an employee unless and until coverage is waived); may elect out via waiver. Employees are always covered.
How do I include or exclude an owner from workers' comp in Rhode Island?
The right form, portal, or endorsement depends on your entity type. Rhode Island records the election on the policy with the carrier; our general inclusion/exclusion form documents it.
What payroll is used for an included owner in Rhode Island?
Included executive officer $1,300–$5,200/week. NCCI-set, changes annually. We confirm the current figure for your policy.
Can Cory Washington & Co. handle my Rhode Island workers' comp election?
Yes. We confirm which rule applies to your entity, prepare the correct form or election, coordinate it with your carrier, and keep your workers' comp aligned with the rest of your program. Request a quote or a policy review and we'll take it from there.
This page is general educational information from Cory Washington & Co. LLC about how workers' compensation owner inclusion and exclusion works in this state. It is not legal, tax, or insurance advice and is not a determination of your eligibility or obligation. Workers' compensation laws, forms, payroll limits, and residual-market programs change and depend on your entity type, ownership, and operations. Confirm the current rules and amounts with your licensed advisor at Cory Washington & Co. LLC and the state agency before making any election.