In Washington, whether a business owner or corporate officer is covered by workers' compensation — and whether they can change that — depends on the entity type and Washington's own rules. Getting the election right affects both your protection and your premium. Here is how inclusion and exclusion work in Washington, the form or filing to use, and what it means for your policy.
Who must carry workers' compensation in Washington?
Nearly all employers with employees must provide coverage — there is no numeric threshold; the only alternative is certified self-insurance.
Can owners and officers be included or excluded in Washington?
| Sole proprietor | Exempt by default; may elect optional coverage. |
|---|---|
| Partners | Exempt by default; may elect optional coverage. |
| LLC members | Members/managers are exempt by default; may elect optional coverage. |
| Corporate officers | For-profit corporate officers are exempt by default; may elect optional coverage. Non-owner employees are mandatorily covered and cannot opt out. |
How to make the election in Washington
- Official source: Form F213-042-000 — Application for Elective Coverage (owners/officers; cancel via F213-004-000)
How Washington counts an included owner
Washington premiums are assessed by HOURS WORKED, not payroll. An owner/officer who elects coverage and works full-time is reported at 160 hours per month; part-time owners report actual hours, capped at 160/month. Premium equals reported hours times the class hourly rate.. Source.
Washington is a monopolistic state-fund state
Washington has no private workers' compensation market — coverage is written only through Washington State Fund, administered by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — no private market or assigned-risk plan (or state-approved self-insurance). We don't place your Washington workers' comp with a private carrier, but we coordinate it with the rest of your commercial program — general liability, property, commercial auto, umbrella, and any out-of-state operations the state fund doesn't cover.
Related
Washington business insurance · Workers' compensation coverage · Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do business owners have to carry workers' comp on themselves in Washington?
It depends on your entity and role. Exempt by default; may elect optional coverage. For-profit corporate officers are exempt by default; may elect optional coverage. Non-owner employees are mandatorily covered and cannot opt out. Employees are always covered.
How do I include or exclude an owner from workers' comp in Washington?
The right form, portal, or endorsement depends on your entity type. Washington 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 Washington?
Premium is figured between a state-set minimum and maximum that changes each year; we confirm the current amount for your policy.
Can Cory Washington & Co. handle my Washington 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.