North Dakota Workers' Compensation Insurance
Everything you need to know about workers' comp in North Dakota: when it's required, who's exempt, average rates, and how to get coverage in 60 seconds.
When is workers' comp required in North Dakota?
All employers must obtain coverage from Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) — the state monopolistic fund.
Sole proprietor & partnership rules
Sole proprietors are exempt unless they elect.
Owner / corporate officer exclusion
Officers and LLC members may be excluded.
North Dakota-specific notes
Monopolistic state — coverage is purchased only through North Dakota WSI. Private insurance not available.
⚠️ Monopolistic state
North Dakota requires all employers to purchase workers' compensation coverage through the state fund. Private workers' comp insurance is not available. We can help with employer's liability insurance ("stop-gap" coverage) that complements the state fund.
How much does workers' comp cost in North Dakota?
The average workers' comp rate in North Dakota is approximately $0.78 per $100 of payroll. Your actual rate depends on your industry class code, claims history, payroll size, and carrier.
Example: a North Dakota business with $100,000 in payroll at the state average rate would pay approximately $780 per year. A clerical-only business (class code 8810) would pay much less; a roofing contractor (5551) would pay much more.
Want an exact rate for your business?
Class code rates vary widely. Get a free quote and we'll look up your exact North Dakota rate for your industry.
Get My North Dakota Quote →North Dakota workers' comp by industry
Industry-specific rates, common class codes, and requirements for North Dakota businesses:
Frequently asked — North Dakota workers' comp
Do I need workers' comp if I have only one employee in North Dakota?
North Dakota requires all employers to obtain coverage through the state fund regardless of employee count.
Are 1099 contractors covered under my North Dakota workers' comp policy?
Generally no — true independent contractors are not employees and not covered. However, North Dakota (like most states) applies an "ABC test" or similar to determine if a 1099 worker is actually a misclassified employee. If they're misclassified, you may owe back premium and penalties. Many general contractors require their 1099 subs to carry their own workers' comp.
Can I get pay-as-you-go workers' comp in North Dakota?
North Dakota uses a state fund, which has its own quarterly reporting/billing model.
What if I'm being audited by my North Dakota workers' comp carrier?
Workers' comp audits often result in additional premium owed because of misclassified employees, missed payroll, or wrong class codes. We offer free audit reviews and can dispute incorrect classifications with your carrier. In many cases we save clients thousands.