Professional Services workers compensation in South Carolina
South Carolina is an NCCI loss-cost state, so class-by-class Professional Services rates are available only via NCCI subscription, not in public filings. As a national reference, Professional Services workers comp runs a median of $1.32 per $100 of payroll, with a range of $0.010 to $92.00 across reporting states. South Carolina caps weekly benefits at $1,134 with a 2-year statute of limitations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Professional Services rate context for South Carolina
South Carolina does not publish class-by-class loss costs publicly, but Professional Services rates from comparable reporting states give you a useful planning range. Use the national rate range below as a baseline; your actual quote depends on payroll size, loss history, and your specific NCCI class code.
| Professional Services class code | Typical occupation | National median | National range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4771 | Waterworks Company | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 8734 | Insurance Adjusters | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 8737 | Property Management NOC | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 8738 | Residential Property Management | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 8814 | Telemarketing Clerical | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 6824 | Ship Repair - dry dock | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 6826 | Ship Scrapping | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 6843 | Diving - commercial | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 6874 | Ship Scrapping | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
| 4361 | Video Production | $1.32 | $0.010 - $92.00 |
South Carolina compliance for Professional Services employers
Coverage threshold
Employers with 4 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Professional Services
Independent contractors (1099 workers) are generally not considered employees for workers' compensation purposes, but misclassification can lead to penalties.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in South Carolina. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,134 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-01-01.
Statute of limitations
2 years from injury date in South Carolina.
Audit window
South Carolina carriers audit payroll Typically within 90-120 days of policy expiration, but can extend for several years.. Keep Professional Services payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full South Carolina workers comp overview · Professional Services cross-state rate comparison · South Carolina workers comp lawyer guide · South Carolina settlement chart
Estimate your Professional Services premium in South Carolina
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Filing checklist for Professional Services businesses in South Carolina
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
Employers with 4 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance. For Professional Services operations, this typically applies once you make a first W-2 hire, even part-time.
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Step 2, Pick the right class code
Professional Services businesses typically use codes like 4771, 8734, 8737. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. Across reporting states, Professional Services median rates run $1.32 per $100 with a range of $0.010 to $92.00.
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Step 3, Get a quote
South Carolina State Accident Fund is one option in South Carolina; private carriers (Travelers, Hartford, Liberty Mutual, AmTrust) also write coverage. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
General contractors are generally responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation insurance, or they may be held liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees. Professional Services operators with crews of 1099s should keep certificates of insurance for every sub, otherwise the GC absorbs the sub liability at audit.
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Step 5, Annual audit
Carriers audit payroll Typically within 90-120 days of policy expiration, but can extend for several years.. Have payroll segregated by class code, job descriptions on file, and overtime properly excluded from rated payroll. Professional Services class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Professional Services workers comp FAQs in South Carolina
Why aren't Professional Services workers comp rates published for South Carolina?
South Carolina uses NCCI for workers comp ratemaking. NCCI loss-cost data for this state is published only to NCCI subscribers, not in public state insurance department filings. For a national reference, Professional Services median rates run $1.32 per $100 of payroll across all reporting states, with a typical range of $0.010 to $92.00.
How can a Professional Services business in South Carolina get a real quote?
Get a quote from any private carrier licensed in South Carolina or the state fund (South Carolina State Accident Fund). Provide your annual payroll, ownership structure, and your current Professional Services class code. Most carriers will return a binding quote within 24-48 hours. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
Are Professional Services 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in South Carolina?
Independent contractors (1099 workers) are generally not considered employees for workers' compensation purposes, but misclassification can lead to penalties.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Professional Services worker in South Carolina?
South Carolina caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,134 (effective 2025-01-01), calculated as 66.67% of the average weekly wage. Professional Services workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Professional Services worker have to file a comp claim in South Carolina?
The statute of limitations in South Carolina is 2 years from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Professional Services workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Professional Services business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Professional Services owner-operators often elect out to keep premium below the minimum. Sole-proprietor self-coverage is not required, and LLC member self-coverage is not required.