Facts About 
Student volunteers 
Workers' compensation coverage 
F213-023-000 [8/98] 
The Department of Labor and Industries has received many requests for information about the 
availability, limitations, terms, and cost of Washington stateÕs optional workersÕ compensation 
coverage for student volunteers. Here are some of the most common questions Ñ and their 
answers Ñ people have asked about this insurance coverage. 
Who is eligible for coverage? 
An employer may opt to provide workers' compensation coverage for student volunteers who are 
enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade in public schools (as defined by RCW 
28A.150.010) and who are working as a volunteer under a program authorized by the public 
school. Student volunteers are still eligible for coverage even if they receive reimbursement for 
expenses. 
What is the extent of the coverage? 
This insurance pays only for approved medical care costs that result from an injury or illness that 
occurred as a result of the studentÕs volunteer activities. It is not intended to provide immunity 
from a liability claim by a student against an employer. (Liability insurance is provided by the 
employerÕs private insurance carrier.) 
How much does it cost? 
Many people refer to the coverage as the Ònickel-an-hourÓ insurance. L&IÕs premiums have gone 
down, however, so the cost is even less. The premium for this insurance is now less than 4 cents 
per hour. L&IÕs risk classification number for this coverage is 6901-01. 
Employers who have been approved to self-insure for workersÕ compensation do not pay a 
premium to L&I. Those self-insured employers wanting to provide this coverage for student 
volunteers must: 
¥ Notify L&I on the Optional Coverage Form. (See ÒHow do I enrollÓ below.) 
¥ Pay the costs of student volunteersÕ qualifying claims. Report those costs in the employer's 
quarterly reports to the Department of Labor and Industries. Self-insured employers who 
elect to provide this coverage are required to maintain records of the hours worked by student 
volunteers and report the hours on the quarterly reports. 

Who pays the premium? 
The premium is paid by the employer for whom the student is volunteering; it cannot be paid by 
the school (unless the student is volunteering in a schoolÕs workplace). 
How do I enroll? 
If you are an employer who is self-insured for workersÕ compensation, you must file the 
Application of Optional Coverage form with L&I (F213-112-000). Check box 14: ÒStudent 
Volunteers.Ó The form serves as notice to L&I that you will be providing this coverage and 
will report student volunteersÕ hours and medical costs on your quarterly reports to L&I. 
Submit the form to the L&I Self-Insurance program at the address printed on the form. You can 
obtain a copy of the form from L&IÕs Internet web site (http://www.wa.gov/lni/ipub/i213-112-
000.htm), from your local L&I office or by calling 360-902-6898. 
If you are an employer who is not self-insured for workersÕ compensation, you may enroll by 
submitting an Application for Optional Coverage to the L&I Employer Services program at the 
address printed on the application form. You should also check box 14: ÒStudent Volunteers.Ó 
You can obtain a copy of the form from L&IÕs Internet web site at http://www.wa.gov/lni/ipub 
/i213-112-000.htm, from your local L&I office or by calling 360-902-4817. 
What laws established this insurance coverage? 
The Washington Legislature passed the student volunteer statute in 1994. The law Ñ RCW 
51.12.170 Ñ became effective October 1, 1994. The regulation that implements this law can be 
found in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-17-925. 
Who can answer other questions about this workersÕ compensation insurance? 
If you are self-insured for workersÕ compensation, call L&I's Self Insurance office at 
360-902-6898. 
If you are not self-insured for workersÕ compensation, call L&IÕs Employer Services at 
360-902-4817. 
Note: This document is available on the Internet at http://www.wa.gov/lni/ipub/i213-023-000.htm 
. 
Visit L&I's web site at www.wa.gov/lni/ 
This document is available in alternative formats to accommodate persons with disabilities. For assistance, call 1-800-547-8367. (TDD/TTY users, 
please call 360-902-5797.) Labor and Industries is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer