Class codes

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Overview

Read more about how class codes are assigned, how businesses with multiple class codes are handled, and how to make an appeal if you think a class code has been incorrectly applied.

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Understanding class codes

Purpose

The workers' comp classification system groups similar businesses together to make sure the insurance rates reflect the typical risks for those industries. 

Assignment 

Typically, businesses are assigned only one class code even if operations involve duties from multiple class codes. In this case, the classification that most closely describes your business is assigned.

Owning multiple businesses

Classification rules apply separately to each legal entity, even if multiple entities have common or majority ownership.

Businesses with multiple class codes

Some businesses may qualify for multiple class codes, but three conditions must be met:

• The additional business must function independently if the main business closes.
• It must operate in a separate location, such as a different building or a distinct, partitioned space.
• Separate payroll records must be kept for each operation.

If all three conditions aren’t met, an additional business is only separately classified if its rate is equal to or higher than the main business rate.

Workers with multiple class codes

When a worker's duties interchange between two or more class codes, you may split their wages between the different classes, but only if you keep verifiable time records.

List of class codes

SAIF doesn't post class codes on our website. There are 550 codes at last count. Many of them are very similar to each other, but the differences are important. That's why you should get expert help with your class codes. If you get the wrong class code, you could pay too much. Please call us at 800.285.8525 with class code questions.

More details

There are specific classification rules associated with certain industries:

1. Construction or erection operations
2. Employee leasing, labor contractors, and temporary labor services
3. Farm operations
4. Mercantile businesses
5. Repair operations  

There also are specific classification rules associated with certain types of workers who are common to most industries:

1. Clerical office workers (including drafting)
2. Miscellaneous workers
3. Standard exception workers
4. Supervisory workers

Appeal class codes

Step 1: Contact your SAIF representative to try to resolve the dispute.

Step 2: If you still disagree with SAIF's position, gather documentation supporting your position, including your record of attempts to resolve the dispute, and send a written request to the regulatory services manager for the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI):

Veruschka Zachtshinsky
CPCU, ARC, WCP^® Disputes Consultant
WC Operations National Council on Compensation Insurance
561.893.3198 (W)
Veruschka_Zachtshinsky@ncci.com

Step 3: If you disagree with NCCI's response, you can request a meeting with the Oregon Workers' Compensation Rating System Review and Advisory Committee (ORAC). ORAC helps resolve disputes without legal fees and addresses issues like:

• Experience rating modification factors
• Class code assignments
• Applying NCCI manual rules

Disclaimer: This information is intended to help you fulfill your payroll reporting requirements accurately and easily. While every attempt is made to ensure that this information is accurate, complete, and current, SAIF makes no express or implied representation as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, reliability, or suitability of the information at any given point in time or for any purpose. You should independently confirm current payroll reporting requirements at the primary sources: Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, and the manuals published by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).