Workers Comp Class Code 5445 — Wallboard Installation
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$4.53
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 5445, a worker earning $800/week costs just $36.21/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$4.53/$100
per $100 payroll
Risk Level
Medium
NCCI classification
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
Approval Time
24–48 hrs
most industries
What Is Workers Comp Class Code 5445?
NCCI class code 5445 covers Wallboard Installation in Florida. This classification is used by workers' compensation carriers to determine premium rates based on the relative injury risk of workers in this occupation. The Florida NCCI rate for code 5445 is $4.53 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the medium-risk tier.
Covers drywall and wallboard installation contractors. Florida massive residential and commercial construction market makes drywall installation one of the most in-demand construction trades.
Because code 5445 is a construction classification, Florida law requires workers' compensation coverage from the first employee. Construction employers cannot use the 4-employee threshold that applies to non-construction businesses.
What Does This Rate Mean in Real Dollars?
Contact Comp Ninjas for a personalized rate quote. PEO pricing is pay-as-you-go with no deposit required.
Rate History — Code 5445
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 5445 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 5445 have decreased from $7.80 to $7.10 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 5445
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Drywall contractors are among the most common users of PEO workers comp in Florida. PEO provides same-day COI and pay-as-you-go coverage that matches project cycles.
No Deposit
Pay as you go each week
No Audit
Premium based on actual payroll
Same-Day COI
Instant certificate issuance
📋 Real-World Example
A drywall hanger in Miami fell from stilts while hanging ceiling panels in a commercial building. Workers comp covered $48,000 in ankle and knee treatment.
Common Job Titles Under Code 5445
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 5445
The NCCI rate for this classification reflects the frequency and severity of workers' compensation claims historically filed by workers in this occupation. The primary risks include:
Florida Workers Comp Requirements for Code 5445
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For construction employers classified under code 5445, coverage is required with 1 or more employees — including the business owner unless a valid exemption is on file with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts random job site inspections and can issue an immediate stop-work order if coverage is not current. The penalty is equal to twice the amount of premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per employee while uninsured.
OSHA Standards That Apply to Code 5445
Workers in this classification are subject to the following OSHA standards. Violations of these standards are the most common triggers for workers' compensation claims in this trade.
29 CFR 1926.451 – Scaffolds: Requires proper design, capacity, guardrails/toeboards, safe access, and inspection of the rolling/Baker/Perry scaffolds commonly used by drywall crews when hanging ceilings and high walls.
29 CFR 1926.452(y) – Stilts: Sets conditions for using stilts during taping/finishing, including firm level surfaces, raising scaffold guardrails to account for stilt height, and prohibiting makeshift height increases.
29 CFR 1926.1053 – Ladders: Covers portable ladder selection, angle, securing, maintaining three points of contact, and prohibits standing on top steps—critical for installers hanging board in stairwells and vaulted areas.
29 CFR 1926.1153 – Respirable Crystalline Silica (Construction): Requires exposure assessment/control methods, a written plan, and housekeeping to limit dust when cutting or power-sanding gypsum board/joint compound that can release silica-containing dust; mandates dust collection or wet methods and appropriate respirators when needed.
29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication: Requires SDS access, labeling, and employee training for joint compounds, adhesives, textures, and solvents used by wallboard installers and finishers.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 5445
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 5445.
Miami-Dade County (2023): DFS issued a stop-work order to a drywall subcontractor on a mid-rise TI project after finding eight 1099 “installers” working with no comp policy. Penalties totaled $114,000 ($88,000 for 11 uncovered days x 8 employees at $1,000/day/employee plus $26,000 for twice the estimated unpaid premium).
Hillsborough County (2022): A wallboard crew was cited after investigators found payroll run in cash and workers misclassified under painting instead of 5445; four installers were active on site without coverage for 18 days. DFS assessed $86,500 ($72,000 in daily penalties plus $14,500 for twice the unpaid premium).
Collier County (2024): Residential drywall subcontractor on tract homes claimed everyone was an exempt owner while five helpers were installing board; no active policy was in force. DFS imposed $88,900 ($70,000 for 14 uncovered days x 5 employees plus $18,900 for twice the unpaid premium).
Source: Florida DFS enforcement records. Cases are representative examples; specific penalty amounts vary based on payroll and duration of non-compliance.
Why Standard Carriers Decline Code 5445
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 5445. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Frequent falls and overexertion exposure unique to drywall (stilts, Baker scaffolds, overhead lifting of 12–16 foot sheets) without documented controls like material lifts, stilt policies, or scaffold inspection logs.
Heavy reliance on uninsured 1099 crews or labor brokers paid by the sheet, creating unpredictable payroll and high auditor pickups for code 5445 exposure.
Interior build-out at multi-story sites with regular ladder/scaffold use and tight schedules that drive strain/sprain frequency—carriers view 5445 loss frequency as difficult to control without a robust return-to-work plan.
New ventures or contractors with prior losses (shoulder/low-back strains, ladder falls, eye injuries from sanding dust) pushing the EMR above 1.10; many admitted markets either decline or surcharge wallboard risks with elevated mods.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 5445
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 5445. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Treating hangers or finishers as painters (5474) or carpentry (5437) to chase a lower rate instead of correctly reporting all field labor to 5445.
Paying installers by the sheet in cash/Zelle and failing to include all piece-rate bonuses, travel time, and jobsite per diem that should be counted as payroll for comp.
Splitting a working foreman between 5606 (construction superintendent) and 5445 without contemporaneous daily timecards—auditors move all wages back to 5445.
Not adding uninsured subcontractor labor and material labor components to payroll at audit when certificates are expired, cancelled, or missing 5445 coverage.
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
For 5445 wallboard installers, the mod is driven by frequent but often moderate-severity claims—shoulder and back strains from overhead lifts, ladder/stilt falls, and eye/respiratory injuries from sanding dust. A couple of medical-only strains in the same policy period can push the EMR up and raise the already high drywall rate. A PEO places your payroll under a large master policy, adds strict certificate tracking, silica/stilt/lift safety protocols, and aggressive return‑to‑work so minor injuries stay medical-only and get closed fast, helping stabilize or lower your effective cost even if your individual EMR has ticked up.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 5445
What is the workers comp rate for class code 5445 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 5445 (Wallboard Installation) is $4.53 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $6,789.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 5445?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 5445 can be approved and receive a Certificate of Insurance (COI) within 24–48 hours. Same-day COI issuance is available in most cases once your application is complete.
Is class code 5445 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 5445 is classified as medium-risk based on its NCCI rate of $4.53 per $100 of payroll. This is a moderate rate that most carriers will cover, though our PEO pay-as-you-go program typically offers better terms than a traditional standalone policy.
What is the difference between a PEO and a traditional workers comp policy for code 5445?
A traditional policy for code 5445 requires an upfront deposit (typically 25–35% of annual premium), a year-end audit, and a minimum payroll requirement. Our PEO pay-as-you-go program calculates premium on actual payroll each cycle — no deposit, no audit, no minimum. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll under code 5445, the annual cost would be approximately $6,789.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 5445?
You can switch at any time — you don't need to wait for your current policy to expire. We handle the transition and coordinate with your current carrier to avoid any coverage gaps. Most clients are enrolled and covered within 24–48 hours of submitting their application.
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