Is workers comp required in Tennessee?
Tennessee generally requires coverage for employers with five or more employees, and construction employers with one or more. Owners, partners and corporate officers are treated under their own rules, and some workers such as certain agricultural or domestic employees may be handled differently.
Buying coverage in Tennessee
Workers comp in Tennessee is a competitive private market. Agents compare carriers that write your class of business, and an assigned-risk option exists for employers that private carriers decline.
Who sets the rules
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation oversees workers comp in Tennessee. In Tennessee, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) provides the classification system and loss costs that insurers use to file rates.
What Tennessee employers should know
- Construction business owners in Tennessee can apply to be exempt from covering themselves through the state registry, but employees still need coverage.
- Logistics hubs in Tennessee create large warehouse and driver payrolls where classification accuracy matters.
How premiums are calculated
Insurers in Tennessee price policies from payroll by classification, then apply your claims experience and any credits or debits. Keeping payroll estimates current avoids a large audit adjustment. Learn more about how workers comp rates work and preparing for an audit.
Industry guides for Tennessee employers
Contractor workers comp
Workers comp for general contractors and trades like roofing, electrical, plumbing and painting.…
Restaurant workers comp
Workers comp for restaurants, cafes, bars and caterers. Burns, cuts and slips, tipped payroll,…
Retail workers comp
Workers comp for retail shops, boutiques, convenience stores and specialty retailers. What it…
Small business workers comp
Workers comp for small businesses: when it is required, how premium works, pay-as-you-go billing…
Tennessee workers comp FAQ
Is workers comp required in Tennessee?
Tennessee generally requires coverage for employers with five or more employees, and construction employers with one or more. Rules and exceptions change, so confirm your situation with the state agency or an agent.
Who oversees workers comp in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation administers the workers compensation system in Tennessee.
Can I buy Tennessee workers comp from a private insurer?
Yes. Private insurers write workers comp in Tennessee, and a market of last resort is available for businesses that are hard to place.
How is workers comp priced in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) provides the classification system and loss costs that insurers use to file rates. Insurers in Tennessee price policies from payroll by classification, then apply your claims experience and any credits or debits. Keeping payroll estimates current avoids a large audit adjustment.