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North Dakota workers' compensation insurance: Your guide to requirements and getting a policy
If you’re a North Dakota employer looking to protect both your business and your team, you’re in the right place. At Beyond, we provide the essential information you need to understand how workers’ compensation works and how to stay compliant.
Workers’ compensation helps shield employees from the financial burden of on-the-job injuries and occupational illnesses. For example, if an employee needs time away from work due to a work-related issue, workers’ comp can provide partial wage replacement and medical coverage.
At the same time, it protects employers, serving as a safeguard against lawsuits and penalidades estaduais relacionadas a acidentes de trabalho.
Any business with a location in North Dakota or that hires employees to work in the state must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Coverage must be secured before hiring the first employee. This includes out-of-state employers with 25% or more of their payroll in North Dakota.
Yes, North Dakota law allows exemptions for:
Business owners and their spouses
Partners in a partnership
Corporate officers
Newspaper delivery workers
Certain licensed real estate brokers
Farm and ranch labor
Custom farming
Domestic workers
Sole proprietors
Federal and railroad employees
Religious workers
Volunteers
Note: Even if exempt, a business may elect to purchase coverage through North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI), pending approval.
Medical benefits: Covers all necessary medical expenses, including travel, meals, parking, and other costs related to treatment.
Wage-loss benefits:
Provided for:
Temporary partial disability
Temporary total disability
Permanent total disability
Wage-loss benefits apply after five consecutive days of missed work. Additional support may be granted for employees with dependent children.
Return to work services:
Includes case management, vocational rehab, retraining, and job search assistance.
Permanent partial impairment:
Provides an additional award based on the severity of permanent injury.
Death benefits:
Covers funeral costs and survivor benefits. If there are no direct dependents, a lump sum may be paid to a sibling, parent, or grandparent.
North Dakota operates under a monopolistic state fund, meaning private insurers are not allowed. All policies must be obtained through North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI).
Employers must open an account and complete an application on the WSI website before hiring employees.
Failing to carry coverage may result in:
Payment of retroactive premiums
Full financial responsibility for injury claims
Lawsuits from employees
A stop-work order, a $10,000 fine, and $100 per day until coverage is secured
$5,000 fine (plus $100 per day) for using uninsured subcontractors with cease and desist orders
If the injury is an emergency, the employee should go to the nearest ER. For non-emergencies, they must report the injury to the employer first.
The employee should submit the Doctor’s Report of Injury (C3) after each medical appointment.
The employer must file a First Report of Injury (FROI) immediately. Submissions can be made online, via fax at (701) 328-3820, or by mail to WSI.
Possibly. If the employer designates specific medical providers, the employee must choose from that list. If not, the employee is free to select any licensed physician.
Having a workers’ compensation policy isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a mutual benefit.
For employers: It protects against lawsuits and penalties.
For employees: It ensures financial and medical support if something goes wrong on the job.
If you have questions about setting up a policy or ensuring compliance, the team at Beyond is here to guide you every step of the way.
