DWC-11 form (Rhode Island): the workers' comp owner exemption
Notice of Claim of Common Law Rights. Who can file it, where to get it, how to file, the fee, when it takes effect, and how often it renews — from Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workers’ Compensation.
DWC-11 filing snapshot
FormDWC-11 — Notice of Claim of Common Law Rights
Issuing bodyRhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workers’ Compensation
Filing methodFile the notarized state DWC-11 waiver form with DLT; current forms are on DLT’s Forms & Applications page.
FeeA filing fee applies and must accompany the form — DLT increased the waiver fee in 2024 (the older statutory figure was $5). Confirm the current amount printed on the DLT DWC-11 before filing.
Common mistakeDWC-11 is the corporate-officer / common-law-right waiver and must be signed before a notary. DWC-11-IC is a separate independent-contractor designation (no fee) and should not be substituted for the owner/officer waiver.
When it takes effectOn DLT filing/acceptance of the DWC-11 as provided by the current form/statute.
RenewalNo fixed annual renewal stated for DWC-11; it remains until rescinded using DWC-11R or the qualifying status changes.
Watch out forDWC-11 carries a $50 filing fee; DWC-11-IC is a separate independent-contractor filing with its own annual rule.
Get the DWC-11 from Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Which Rhode Island owners can use the DWC-11
Sole proprietorDLT lists an individual sole proprietor as exempt from personal workers' compensation coverage. If the owner operates as an independent contractor for another hiring entity, the separate DWC-11-IC designation rules can apply.
LLC memberR.I. Gen. Laws §28-29-17 expressly includes LLC managers, managing members, and members in the common-law-right waiver procedure. Because DLT's public employer page emphasizes the corporate-officer DWC-11 route rather than publishing a separate LLC form, confirm the current filing treatment with DLT before relying on a waiver for an LLC member.
PartnerDLT lists partners as exempt from personal workers' compensation coverage. Employees of the partnership still trigger the employer's coverage obligation.
Corporate officerMost corporate officers are included under the Act but may file DWC-11, Notice of Claim of Common Law Rights, to waive workers' compensation rights and preserve a common-law remedy. DLT increased the DWC-11 filing fee to $50 effective July 1, 2024.
Employee threshold: With limited exceptions, an employer with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. DLT identifies sole proprietors and partners as exempt owner categories, while most corporate officers are included unless they file the state's waiver. In construction: DLT does not state a separate general construction employee-count threshold. The one-employee rule applies, and an independent contractor working for a hiring entity must separately file DWC-11-IC; a contractor with employees must maintain coverage for those employees.
Read the full context in the Rhode Island workers' comp exemption guide, or run the eligibility screener to check your entity type first.
DWC-11 form (Rhode Island): frequently asked questions
- Where do I get the DWC-11 form in Rhode Island?
- The DWC-11 (Notice of Claim of Common Law Rights) is issued by Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workers’ Compensation. File the notarized state DWC-11 waiver form with DLT; current forms are on DLT’s Forms & Applications page. Use the official link on this page rather than a third-party copy, which may be out of date.
- Is there a fee to file the DWC-11 in Rhode Island?
- A filing fee applies and must accompany the form — DLT increased the waiver fee in 2024 (the older statutory figure was $5). Confirm the current amount printed on the DLT DWC-11 before filing.
- How often does the DWC-11 exemption renew in Rhode Island?
- No fixed annual renewal stated for DWC-11; it remains until rescinded using DWC-11R or the qualifying status changes. Watch out: DWC-11 carries a $50 filing fee; DWC-11-IC is a separate independent-contractor filing with its own annual rule.
Where this comes from
The DWC-11 entry is anchored to Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workers’ Compensation — the state agency that issues and processes the form — not a generalized summary. Source-checked 2026-09-10.