Workers' Compensation by state
Workers' compensation requirements in Tennessee
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Direct answer
Does Tennessee require workers' compensation insurance?
Yes. Tennessee requires workers' compensation coverage once a business has five or more employees (construction and coal mining one or more), under the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act. Tennessee generally requires workers' compensation coverage once an employer has five or more employees, but employers in the construction and coal mining industries must carry coverage with one or more employees.
How the mandate works
Tennessee generally requires workers' compensation coverage once an employer has five or more employees, but employers in the construction and coal mining industries must carry coverage with one or more employees. Coverage is provided through private insurers or an approved self-insurance program.
- Coverage trigger
- Five or more employees (construction and coal mining one or more)
- If you go without coverage
- Failing to carry required coverage can bring civil penalties assessed by the bureau and personal liability for an injured worker's benefits.
Notable exemptions
Exemptions are narrow and fact-specific; confirm your situation with the regulator or an agent before relying on one.
- Non-construction employers with fewer than five employees
- Certain domestic servants, farm labor, and casual employees
- Some corporate officers and family members who elect out
Statutes and sources
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Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act
Tenn. Code Ann. sect. 50-6-101 et seq.
Regulator: Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation . Last verified 2026-07-29 from the official source .
Related Tennessee compliance pages
Workers' Compensation in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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