Wyoming workers compensation requirements decide exactly when you must carry coverage, who counts toward the threshold, and what it costs to skip it. This guide breaks down the Wyoming workers compensation requirements in plain English — the employee count that triggers the mandate, who is exempt, the penalty for going without, and how to get covered. All figures are from Wyoming sources, verified as of June 2026.
In This Wyoming Guide:
Is Workers’ Comp Required in Wyoming?
Wyoming requires workers compensation for all employers in extra-hazardous industries (as classified by NAICS code under W.S. 27-14-108) starting from the first employee; employers in non-extra-hazardous industries may elect coverage but are not required to carry it
Wyoming Workers’ Comp Requirements at a Glance
Here are the exact Wyoming workers compensation requirements every employer should know:
| Employees that trigger the mandate | 1 |
| Which workers count | There is no numeric employee threshold in Wyoming; the mandate is based on industry classification, not headcount. All employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal) in extra-hazardous industries must be covered from the first hire. Non-extra-hazardous industries are elective regardless of employee count. |
| Who is exempt | Sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers, independent contractors, domestic workers, agricultural workers, private nurses, real estate agents, and certain commission-based workers are exempt from mandatory coverage |
| Owners & officers | Sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, and corporate officers are exempt by default and not required to cover themselves; they may voluntarily elect coverage through the state fund |
| Penalty for going without | Employers who fail to secure required coverage face fines up to 10000 per violation with potential daily compounding, 100 per delinquent report, misdemeanor criminal charges punishable by fines up to 750 and up to 6 months imprisonment under W.S. 27-14-510, stop-work orders, and personal liability for all medical expenses and lost wages of injured workers |
| Monopolistic state? | Yes — must buy from the state fund |
| State fund | Wyoming is a monopolistic state fund state; the fund is administered by the Workers Compensation Division within the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (there is no separately named fund entity) |
How to Get Workers’ Comp Coverage in Wyoming
Employers in extra-hazardous industries must obtain coverage exclusively through the Wyoming state fund administered by the Workers Compensation Division; employers in non-extra-hazardous industries may purchase from the state fund, from private insurers, or carry no coverage. All employers must register with the state at WYUI.wyo.gov regardless of coverage status. Wyoming does not permit self-insurance.
What Workers’ Comp Covers in Wyoming
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system: an injured employee gets benefits without having to prove the employer did anything wrong, and in exchange gives up the right to sue for most workplace injuries. A typical Wyoming policy pays for medical treatment tied to a work injury, part of the wages lost while the worker recovers, longer-term disability benefits if the injury is permanent, and death benefits to a family.
It also includes employers-liability coverage, which protects the business if an injury still leads to a lawsuit. That trade-off is the practical heart of the Wyoming workers compensation requirements: the coverage exists to keep one bad injury from sinking both the worker and the business.
Employees vs. Independent Contractors in Wyoming
The most common way owners get the Wyoming workers compensation requirements wrong is by assuming a worker is an “independent contractor” who does not count. State agencies look at how the work is actually controlled, not the label on a 1099. If Wyoming decides a contractor was really an employee, the business can owe back premiums and penalties as if coverage should have been in place all along.
When you are close to the employee threshold, confirm each worker’s status with your state board before you decide you are exempt.
Other Wyoming workers’-comp rules: Wyoming uniquely ties mandatory coverage to NAICS-code industry classification (extra-hazardous vs non-extra-hazardous) rather than employee count. The state fund does not include employers liability insurance, which must be obtained separately. Wyoming has no statutory framework for self-insurance or group self-insurance. Even exempt employers must register with the state. For 2026 the governor approved a 15 percent overall decrease in workers comp industry base rates.
Understanding Wyoming Workers Compensation Requirements
The Wyoming workers compensation requirements exist to make sure injured employees get medical care and lost wages without having to sue. For most owners, the Wyoming workers compensation requirements come down to one number: the employee count that triggers the mandate, shown in the table above.
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Once you hit that count, Wyoming workers compensation requirements apply whether you planned for them or not, and the penalty for going without is real. If any part of the Wyoming workers compensation requirements is unclear for your business, your state workers’-comp board can confirm the threshold, the exemptions, and how to get covered.
Next step: Once you know what your business in Wyoming actually needs, comparing quotes from several carriers takes only a few minutes. Many owners do this right after they understand their state and trade requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is workers’ comp required in Wyoming?
Wyoming requires workers compensation for all employers in extra-hazardous industries (as classified by NAICS code under W.S. 27-14-108) starting from the first employee; employers in non-extra-hazardous industries may elect coverage but are not required to carry it
What is the penalty for not having workers’ comp in Wyoming?
Employers who fail to secure required coverage face fines up to 10000 per violation with potential daily compounding, 100 per delinquent report, misdemeanor criminal charges punishable by fines up to 750 and up to 6 months imprisonment under W.S. 27-14-510, stop-work orders, and personal liability for all medical expenses and lost wages of injured workers
Can I buy Wyoming workers’ comp from a private insurer?
No. Wyoming is a monopolistic state, which means employers must buy workers’ compensation from the state fund rather than a private carrier. Some employers add separate stop-gap/employers-liability coverage privately.
Official Wyoming Sources & Resources
- Wyoming Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers Compensation Division: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/workers-compensation/
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Statute: https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/title-27/chapter-14/
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- U.S. Small Business Administration: sba.gov
These Wyoming workers compensation requirements were last verified against official sources in June 2026. Rules and penalties change — confirm the current figure with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed agent.
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Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not insurance, legal, or tax advice. Business Insure Guide is an independent educational resource, not an insurance agency or carrier. Coverage needs, legal requirements, and prices vary by business, profession, and state and change over time. Always verify the exact requirement and price with a licensed insurance agent and your state before you buy.