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Workers’ compensation insurance overview

Who needs coverage?

As with most no-fault insurance, workers’ compensation is fair only if it applies to all workers and employers. Oregon requires almost all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. If you employ workers in Oregon, you probably need workers’ compensation coverage.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I an employer?

If you employ one or more workers, you are an employer. A worker is anyone you pay to do work for you who is not an independent contractor. You do not have to provide workers’ compensation coverage to independent contractors, though you may choose to do so. See our independent contractor page for more information.

Is my worker a subject worker?

Every worker in Oregon is a subject worker unless the worker falls under an exemption. There are about 30 exemptions in Oregon law.

Additional information regarding exemptions that an Oregon worker may fall under can be found by reviewing ORS 656.027.

​​​Help with workers’ compensation insurance
Workers’ Compensation Division
888-877-5670 (toll-free)
503-947-7815
wcd.employerinfo@dcbs.oregon.gov

Business Identification Number
503-947-7589

Employer coverage indexing
503-947-7814

Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation​​​​​​​

Active and Inactive Self-Insured Employers​​​​