Sources reviewed October 27, 2026 · Confirm current rules with the agency
When coverage is required
Georgia generally requires workers' comp once you regularly employ three or more people. Regular part-time workers count, and seasonal hiring can count too. Don't decide based on who works on a single day. Look at your normal staffing and check with the State Board or your insurer.
Owners, contractors, and exceptions
Corporate officers and LLC members count toward the three-worker limit, even if they waive their own coverage. Up to five of them can waive it using Form WC-10 through the insurer. Sole owners and partners are treated differently and can choose to be covered. So a three-person company can't avoid coverage just because its officers waived it.
If an employee is injured
Teach new hires to report injuries right away. After an injury, get the worker care, write down what happened, and tell your insurer. Ask your insurer which doctor list and forms you must keep. If a worker disagrees with how a claim is handled, point them to the State Board's resources.
Operating without coverage
Georgia's State Board can fine you $500 to $5,000 for each time you fail to carry required coverage. Refusing or willfully failing to carry it is a crime (a misdemeanor). Once you are insured, you must post your doctor choices: either a list of at least six doctors (with at least one bone specialist and no more than two clinics), or the name of a certified managed care company.
How to arrange coverage
The State Board does not sell insurance. Buy from a licensed insurer or agent, or get approval to self-insure. List all officers and LLC members on your application, including anyone who waives coverage, so the policy and the employee count use the same facts.
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 Georgia’s official forms. Your insurer can often send a poster with your policy details already filled in.
- Form WC-P1, Panel of Physicians
Post it with your compliance notice, the Bill of Rights, and your insurer's name.
- Form WC-1, Employer's First Report of Injury
Send it to your insurer right away.
- Employer information and required postings
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
- $800 a week
- Minimum
- $50 a week
- Applies to
- Accidents on or after July 1, 2023, the latest rates the Board lists
- Waiting period
- Weekly benefits start after 7 days out of work. The first week is paid if the worker is out more than 21 days in a row.
Check a contractor’s coverage
Check whether a business operating in Georgia has a workers' comp policy.
Owner exemptions and elections
Up to five corporate officers or LLC members can exempt themselves by filing Form WC-10 with the insurer. They still count toward the three-employee rule. A sole owner or partner is not covered unless they choose to be, also using Form WC-10.
Frequently asked questions
Is workers' comp required in Georgia?
Yes once a business regularly employs three or more people, including regular part-time workers.
Do business owners need workers' comp in Georgia?
Corporate officers and LLC members count toward the three-employee minimum even if up to five of them waive coverage on Form WC-10. Sole proprietors and partners may choose to be covered.
How long does an employee have to report a work injury in Georgia?
Employees should report injuries right away, because waiting more than 30 days can forfeit benefits. A claim must generally be filed with the State Board within one year on Form WC-14.
What happens if a Georgia business doesn't have workers' comp?
The State Board can charge $500 to $5,000 per violation for failing to carry coverage, and refusing on purpose is a misdemeanor.
How do I get workers' comp insurance in Georgia?
The State Board does not sell insurance. Buy from a licensed insurer or agent, or qualify for self-insurance, and post your panel of physicians.
How much does workers' comp cost in Georgia?
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 Georgia, 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
Georgia SBWC: insurance and owner FAQsGeorgia SBWC: law FAQs, penalties, and physician panelsGeorgia SBWC: enforcementThis 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.