A Wyoming workers comp exemption lets certain business owners legally go without workers’ compensation coverage on themselves — In Wyoming, owners start out excluded and must opt in to be covered; they do not file to opt out. Sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers and LLC members are not “employees” under W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) unless they elect coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(k). No ownership-percentage or officer-count limit was found.
A separate rule covers employers whose work is not on the extrahazardous list: they may go without coverage, or elect it under 27-14-108(j). That election must include all of their employees. — while the law still requires coverage for employees once a business has 1 (coverage is required from the first employee, but only in the “extrahazardous” industries and jobs listed in W.S. 27-14-108(a).
Employers outside that list are not required to cover workers and may choose coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(j). The threshold is about employees and is separate from an owner’s own coverage.) or more. This guide explains who qualifies for the Wyoming workers comp exemption, the exact form, where to file it, what it costs, and what an exempt owner gives up. Verified against Wyoming sources as of October 2026.
Wyoming at a Glance
| Coverage required at | 1 (coverage is required from the first employee, but only in the “extrahazardous” industries and jobs listed in W.S. 27-14-108(a). Employers outside that list are not required to cover workers and may choose coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(j). The threshold is about employees and is separate from an owner’s own coverage.) employee(s) |
| Who may elect out | In Wyoming, owners start out excluded and must opt in to be covered; they do not file to opt out. Sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers and LLC members are not “employees” under W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) unless they elect coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(k). No ownership-percentage or officer-count limit was found. A separate rule covers employers whose work is not on the extrahazardous list: they may go without coverage, or elect it under 27-14-108(j). That election must include all of their employees. |
| Filed with | The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers’ Compensation Division, Employer Services. The affidavit is requested from the Division by phone at (307) 777-6763 or by email at [email protected], and is not posted as a downloadable form. Employer accounts are managed at https://wyui.wyo.gov. More information: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/workers-compensation/employers/wage-reporting-and-coverage/ |
| Renewal | An exclusion needs no filing and does not expire, because owners are excluded by default. Once an owner elects coverage, one secondary source says the election stays in place for 8 calendar quarters (2 years) before it can be withdrawn; the 2-year minimum for optional employers comes from W.S. 27-14-108(j). Confirm the exact lock-in period with the Division. |
In This Wyoming Guide:
Who Qualifies for A Wyoming Workers Comp Exemption
In Wyoming, owners start out excluded and must opt in to be covered; they do not file to opt out. Sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers and LLC members are not “employees” under W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) unless they elect coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(k). No ownership-percentage or officer-count limit was found.
A separate rule covers employers whose work is not on the extrahazardous list: they may go without coverage, or elect it under 27-14-108(j). That election must include all of their employees.
W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) says “employee” does not include an officer of a corporation unless coverage is elected under W.S. 27-14-108(k). The corporation elects by written notice to the Division, either at initial registration or 30 days before a calendar quarter begins. The election is allowed whether or not the business has other covered employees.
If an officer changes, notify the Division within 30 days, because coverage moves to the newly elected officer in the same position.
W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) excludes LLC members and partners of a business partnership from the definition of “employee” unless coverage is elected under W.S. 27-14-108(k). The election process is the same as for officers: written notice at initial registration or 30 days before a calendar quarter begins.
How to File the Wyoming Workers Comp Exemption
Wyoming does not use a separate state form; the election is made with the insurer on the policy. It is filed with The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers’ Compensation Division, Employer Services. The affidavit is requested from the Division by phone at (307) 777-6763 or by email at [email protected], and is not posted as a downloadable form. Employer accounts are managed at https://wyui.wyo.gov. More information: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/workers-compensation/employers/wage-reporting-and-coverage/.
Renewal: An exclusion needs no filing and does not expire, because owners are excluded by default. Once an owner elects coverage, one secondary source says the election stays in place for 8 calendar quarters (2 years) before it can be withdrawn; the 2-year minimum for optional employers comes from W.S. 27-14-108(j). Confirm the exact lock-in period with the Division..
Filing on the state’s own site costs nothing beyond any statutory fee — the “exemption filing services” that advertise on this search charge for the same form.
Wyoming Workers Comp Exemption Rules at a Glance
The exact Wyoming workers comp exemption rules every owner should check before deciding to go without coverage:
| Employee threshold | 1 (coverage is required from the first employee, but only in the “extrahazardous” industries and jobs listed in W.S. 27-14-108(a). Employers outside that list are not required to cover workers and may choose coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(j). The threshold is about employees and is separate from an owner’s own coverage.) |
| Who may elect out | In Wyoming, owners start out excluded and must opt in to be covered; they do not file to opt out. Sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers and LLC members are not “employees” under W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) unless they elect coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(k). No ownership-percentage or officer-count limit was found. A separate rule covers employers whose work is not on the extrahazardous list: they may go without coverage, or elect it under 27-14-108(j). That election must include all of their employees. |
| Corporate officers | W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) says “employee” does not include an officer of a corporation unless coverage is elected under W.S. 27-14-108(k). The corporation elects by written notice to the Division, either at initial registration or 30 days before a calendar quarter begins. The election is allowed whether or not the business has other covered employees. If an officer changes, notify the Division within 30 days, because coverage moves to the newly elected officer in the same position. |
| LLC members and partners | W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) excludes LLC members and partners of a business partnership from the definition of “employee” unless coverage is elected under W.S. 27-14-108(k). The election process is the same as for officers: written notice at initial registration or 30 days before a calendar quarter begins. |
| Workers exempt by law | W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) excludes these workers from the definition of “employee”: casual labor; independent contractors; a spouse or dependent of the employer who lives in the employer’s household; employees of a private household (domestic workers); private-duty nurses hired by a private party; and real estate brokers, associate brokers and salespersons licensed under the Real Estate License Act. Agricultural labor for crop and animal production is not on the mandatory extrahazardous list in 27-14-108. Any employment not on that list is optional. No numeric thresholds (hours or wages) were verified. |
| Where to file | The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers’ Compensation Division, Employer Services. The affidavit is requested from the Division by phone at (307) 777-6763 or by email at [email protected], and is not posted as a downloadable form. Employer accounts are managed at https://wyui.wyo.gov. More information: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/workers-compensation/employers/wage-reporting-and-coverage/ |
| Renewal | An exclusion needs no filing and does not expire, because owners are excluded by default. Once an owner elects coverage, one secondary source says the election stays in place for 8 calendar quarters (2 years) before it can be withdrawn; the 2-year minimum for optional employers comes from W.S. 27-14-108(j). Confirm the exact lock-in period with the Division. |
| Proof of exemption or coverage | Request a Workers’ Compensation Certificate of Good Standing from the Division by email at [email protected], by phone at (307) 777-6763, or through the online request. A temporary certificate is available on request for immediate proof. Since Wyoming has no exemption certificate, an uncovered owner would rely on the Division’s account and registration status. Confirm the details with the Division. |
What A Wyoming Workers Comp Exemption Gives Up
An owner who does not elect coverage gets no Wyoming workers’ comp benefits (medical or wage loss) if injured, and the business does not report that owner’s wages to the Division. Separately, an employer who does not qualify for coverage, or who falls more than 30 days behind on premiums, loses the exclusive-remedy immunity under W.S. 27-14-104. Injured employees may then be able to sue that employer in civil court.
One honest paragraph on the “ghost policy”: a minimum-premium policy with no employees sold to owners who need a certificate of insurance. It is legal in many states, but it is not a Wyoming workers comp exemption — it is coverage with nobody on it. If you add a worker, it must be reported, or the audit will find them.
Workers Exempt by Law in Wyoming
W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) excludes these workers from the definition of “employee”: casual labor; independent contractors; a spouse or dependent of the employer who lives in the employer’s household; employees of a private household (domestic workers); private-duty nurses hired by a private party; and real estate brokers, associate brokers and salespersons licensed under the Real Estate License Act.
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Agricultural labor for crop and animal production is not on the mandatory extrahazardous list in 27-14-108. Any employment not on that list is optional. No numeric thresholds (hours or wages) were verified.
Proving A Wyoming Workers Comp Exemption or Coverage
Request a Workers’ Compensation Certificate of Good Standing from the Division by email at [email protected], by phone at (307) 777-6763, or through the online request. A temporary certificate is available on request for immediate proof. Since Wyoming has no exemption certificate, an uncovered owner would rely on the Division’s account and registration status. Confirm the details with the Division.
Why the Wyoming Workers Comp Exemption Matters
The Wyoming workers comp exemption is a trade: lower cost today against no safety net if you are hurt. The second half of the trade is the one the search results never lead with. Coverage is required only in the industries and jobs listed in W.S. 27-14-108. All coverage is bought from the state fund; private insurers do not sell it.
Employers outside the list who opt in under 27-14-108(j) must cover all of their employees for at least 2 years. Owners who elect coverage are rated on the average statewide wage table set by Employer Services, not their actual pay. Every business that works in Wyoming or hires a Wyoming resident must register with DWS so the Division can decide what coverage is required.
Confirm your situation with the Division and a licensed attorney. If the Wyoming workers comp exemption rules above leave any doubt about whether a worker counts, ask the state agency before you decide — the answer is free, and the penalty for guessing wrong is not.
Employer side: the Wyoming requirements guide covers the threshold, who counts and the penalties in full. Hurt while exempt? You may still have a claim against a third party — a licensed attorney can say.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a workers comp exemption in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, owners start out excluded and must opt in to be covered; they do not file to opt out. Sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers and LLC members are not “employees” under W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii) unless they elect coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(k). No ownership-percentage or officer-count limit was found.
A separate rule covers employers whose work is not on the extrahazardous list: they may go without coverage, or elect it under 27-14-108(j). That election must include all of their employees.
What form is the Wyoming workers comp exemption?
The election is made on the policy or with the agency — see the table. File it on the state’s own site; filing services charge for the same form.
Can an exempt owner in Wyoming still collect benefits if hurt?
No. An exemption removes the owner from coverage, so there is no claim for medical care or lost wages. That is the trade.
Official Wyoming Sources & Resources
- Wyoming Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers’ Compensation Division (appeals are heard by the Office of Administrative Hearings and the Medical Commission): https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/workers-compensation/
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Statute: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title27.pdf (W.S. 27-14-102, 27-14-104, 27-14-108, 27-14-203)
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This Wyoming workers comp exemption guide was last verified against official Wyoming sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
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Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.