Do Interns Need Workers’ Comp?
An intern may need workers’ compensation even if unpaid; state law and the work arrangement determine employee status.
NAIC tells small businesses to check who qualifies as an employee and names interns alongside contractors and part-time staff. That does not make every intern automatically covered or exempt.
Ask the state agency how it treats paid and unpaid interns, and confirm how to report them to the insurer. Review the policy’s employee definition and any voluntary-coverage option before the internship starts.
Coverage Guides Related to Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Sources for Workers’ Compensation Insurance Answers
- Small Business Insurance. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Typically covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and lost wages; check with your state insurance department; ask these questions / who qualifies as a covered employee (contractors, part-time staff, interns); payroll and type-of-work rating factors. Accessed 2026-09-25.
- State Workers’ Compensation Officials. U.S. Department of Labor; State and territory workers’ compensation contacts. Accessed 2026-09-25.