In District of Columbia, whether a business owner or corporate officer is covered by workers' compensation — and whether they can change that — depends on the entity type and District of Columbia's own rules. Getting the election right affects both your protection and your premium. Here is how inclusion and exclusion work in District of Columbia, the form or filing to use, and what it means for your policy.
Who must carry workers' compensation in District of Columbia?
Mandatory for every private employer with one or more employees.
Can owners and officers be included or excluded in District of Columbia?
| Sole proprietor | Excluded by default; may elect coverage. |
|---|---|
| Partners | Excluded by default; may elect coverage. |
| LLC members | Treated like partners — excluded by default; may elect in. |
| Corporate officers | Included by default; may elect out. |
How to make the election in District of Columbia
- Our form: CWCO General Inclusion / Exclusion Form — records the election where District of Columbia does not publish its own form.
Payroll counted for an included owner in District of Columbia
When an owner or officer is included, premium is figured on their payroll between a minimum and maximum (effective 1/1/2027), set by NCCI.
| Included owner/officer minimum | $1,850 per week |
|---|---|
| Included owner/officer maximum | $7,400 per week |
Included executive officer $1,850–$7,400/week; covered partners, sole proprietors, and LLC members at $96,300/year. NCCI-set, changes annually.
These amounts update periodically; we confirm the current figure for your policy.
District of Columbia's assigned-risk / residual market
An employer that can't secure workers' comp in the standard market can still get covered through Workers Compensation Insurance Plan (administered by NCCI). We market your risk to voluntary carriers first and turn to the residual market only as a last resort.
Related
District of Columbia business insurance · Workers' compensation coverage · DC Department of Employment Services — Office of Workers' Compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do business owners have to carry workers' comp on themselves in District of Columbia?
It depends on your entity and role. Excluded by default; may elect coverage. Included by default; may elect out. Employees are always covered.
How do I include or exclude an owner from workers' comp in District of Columbia?
The right form, portal, or endorsement depends on your entity type. District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
Included executive officer $1,850–$7,400/week; covered partners, sole proprietors, and LLC members at $96,300/year. NCCI-set, changes annually. We confirm the current figure for your policy.
Can Cory Washington & Co. handle my District of Columbia 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.