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Tennessee Workers' Compensation Requirements
Required from 5 employees
At a glance
5+
employee threshold (general)
1
construction threshold
Private market
buy from any carrier
TN Bureau of Workers' Compensation
official source (verified 2026-09-08)
The details
5+ FT/PT employees (TN official support doc). Construction & coal mining: coverage required regardless of employee count.
FAQ
Do I need workers' compensation in Tennessee?
Yes — once you regularly employ 5 or more employees (full or part-time), Tennessee requires workers' compensation coverage.
What about construction businesses in Tennessee?
Construction has a stricter threshold: coverage is required from 1 employee(s), versus 5 for general businesses.
What if I don't carry required coverage in Tennessee?
Penalties vary by state and can include per-employee per-day fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for injury claims. Check the official source below for Tennessee's current enforcement posture.
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Official source: TN Bureau of Workers' Compensation · Verified 2026-09-08 (official) · Compare all states · Construction rules · Farm rules