Sources reviewed October 27, 2026 · Confirm current rules with the agency
When coverage is required
Private employers in D.C. generally need coverage once they have one employee. Household employers have a special rule: you need coverage for a domestic worker who works at least 240 hours in a calendar quarter for you. This guide covers private employers. Government workers have a separate system.
Owners, contractors, and exceptions
Don't assume a household worker, temp, or 'contractor' is left out. Look at the real job, the hours worked, and any exceptions with D.C.'s Department of Employment Services (DOES) or your insurer. If you work in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, make sure your insurer covers each place.
If an employee is injured
Workers should tell you quickly and follow the written notice process. They generally have 30 days from the injury, or from learning it is work-related. You must file Form 8 within 10 days of learning about the injury. The worker's notice, your report, and the worker's claim are three separate steps, each with its own form.
Operating without coverage
If you have no coverage, you still have to pay benefits to a hurt worker. Reporting is enforced too: filing your Form 8 late can bring a fine of up to $1,000. Workers file their claim on Form 7a within one year after the injury or last payment. Keep your policy and claim contacts where workers can find them.
How to arrange coverage
Buy a policy from a licensed insurer or get approval to self-insure. Make sure it clearly covers your D.C. work and any household workers. Keep the policy details and forms where employees can see them, and ask your insurer how it will send reports to the state.
Benefits and return-to-work planning
A work injury can lead to medical care, time off work, a lasting disability, or benefits for family members if a worker dies. Who qualifies, waiting periods, how wages are figured, and benefit limits all depend on state law and the facts of the claim. Ask your insurer which benefits it is looking at and what records it needs. Go by the doctor's work limits, not your own guess about what the worker can do. If you can offer lighter work, describe the duties and hours clearly and plan it with the doctor and your insurer.
Preparing an accurate cost estimate
Gather payroll by job and location, a description of each type of work, details on working owners, subcontractor records, and your past claims. Ask the insurer to confirm your job classes, how the rate is figured, any experience modifier, the minimum premium, fees, and audit terms. This site's calculator uses a base rate that you enter. It does not give a state-approved rate or a real quote. Compare offers using the same numbers, and track staff and work changes during the year so the final audit is easier.
Forms, posters, and notices
These links go straight to District of Columbia’s official forms. Your insurer can often send a poster with your policy details already filled in.
- Form 1, Notice of Compliance poster
Post it at each worksite.
- Form 8, Employer's First Report of Injury
File within 10 days of learning of the injury. Late filing can bring a fine of up to $1,000.
Weekly benefit limits
These limits cap the wage replacement checks an injured worker can get. Medical care is paid separately. Limits change every year, so check the source for the latest figures.
- Maximum
- $1,852.07 a week
- Minimum
- $463.02 a week
- Applies to
- Starting January 1, 2026
Check a contractor’s coverage
The agency does not offer a public coverage search we could confirm. Ask the contractor for a certificate of insurance, then call the insurer listed on it to confirm the policy is active and covers this state.
Owner exemptions and elections
Owner choices are usually made through your insurance policy. Ask your insurer which owners are included or left out, and get the answer in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Is workers' comp required in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Private employers in the District generally need coverage with one or more employees. Household employers need coverage for a domestic worker who works at least 240 hours in a calendar quarter.
Do business owners need workers' comp in the District of Columbia?
Review owners, household workers, and anyone called a contractor with DOES or your insurer. Businesses working in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia need coverage that addresses each location.
How long does an employee have to report a work injury in the District of Columbia?
Employees should give written notice within 30 days of the injury or of learning it is work-related. The employer files Form 8 within ten days, and the worker's claim on Form 7a is due within one year.
What happens if a D.C. business doesn't have workers' comp?
Uninsured employers remain responsible for benefits, and failing to file the employer's injury report on time can bring a civil penalty of up to $1,000.
How do I get workers' comp insurance in the District of Columbia?
Buy a policy from a licensed insurer, or get approval from the Office of Workers' Compensation to self-insure.
How much does workers' comp cost in the District of Columbia?
Cost depends mostly on your job class codes, the payroll in each class, your experience modifier, and the insurer's rates and minimum premium. Ask a licensed insurer or agent for the base rate for your class code in District of Columbia, then use this site's calculator for a rough estimate. Your final premium is set at the yearly audit.
Your next steps
Official sources & further reading
D.C. DOES: workers compensation FAQsD.C. DOES: worker rights and noticeThis summary is for learning, not legal advice. Exceptions and changes may apply. If anything here differs from the official agency or the law, they are what count.