Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster in Memphis, Tennessee (2026)
Without your Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster displayed, your Memphis restaurant is vulnerable to state audits and penalties, even if you have an active insurance policy. This mandatory notice, issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation and also called a workers' comp workplace notice, must be posted in a common employee area.
- 4 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 3
- $0 government filing fee — the poster is provided at no cost by the state
- Varies for processing and display — no formal approval timeline
Analyzed from Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster
75% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster
Displaying a compliant Workers' Compensation Poster in Memphis is a mandatory condition of operating with employees in Tennessee. The requirement is established by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) under state law, specifically the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act. While Memphis does not impose its own unique poster ordinance, the state law is strictly enforced by local TDLWD offices. The poster informs employees of their rights to medical care and wage replacement for work-related injuries or illnesses, and their employer's insurance coverage details. Failure to post is treated as non-compliance with the Act itself.
Operating without the correct poster prominently displayed can trigger significant consequences. Based on the enforcement provisions of the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act and related statutes, these include:
- Civil penalties from the TDLWD for each violation. Fines are assessed per missing poster and can escalate for repeat offenses.
- Increased risk of disputes and litigation. Lack of proper notice can lead to employee confusion about filing claims, potentially resulting in preventable lawsuits or complaints to the state.
- Compliance audits and cease-and-desist orders. An inspection revealing missing mandatory posters can prompt a full review of all employment practices, including wage and hour laws, leading to orders to halt operations until corrected.
- Insurance and lease complications
Legal code: State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
Recent update: As of 2026, the Tennessee Department of Labor has updated its required workplace posters to reflect current contact information and clarified language on employee rights; ensure you are displaying the most recent version issued by the state.
Who Needs a Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required if you have 5 or more full- or part-time employees, as mandated by Tennessee Code Annotated § 50-6-106(1). |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if you have 5 or more full- or part-time employees, including bartenders and security, under T.C.A. § 50-6-106(1). |
| Food Truck | Required | Required if you have 5 or more full- or part-time employees; the mobile nature does not exempt you from T.C.A. § 50-6-106(1). |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required if you have 5 or more full- or part-time employees, as the law applies to all for-profit businesses under T.C.A. § 50-6-106(1). |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (4 Fields)
3 of 4 auto-filledPrimary Representative Name and Title
textEnter the full legal name and official job title (e.g., Owner, President, HR Director) of the person authorized to receive official notices and manage claims for the restaurant; this is typically the primary contact listed on your workers' compensation insurance policy.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting only a first name or nickname, or omitting the job title, which can cause the state to reject the posting as incomplete for failing to identify a responsible party.
Alternative Representative Name and Title
textEnter the full name and job title of a backup contact (e.g., General Manager, Assistant Manager) who can act on behalf of the employer if the primary representative is unavailable.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank or entering 'Same' or 'N/A,' which violates the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development requirement for a designated alternative contact, risking an invalid posting.
Employer Representative Phone Number
textEnter a direct, working phone number for the primary representative, including area code, where they can be reached during business hours for claims-related communications.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a non-operational number, a main business line without an extension, or a personal cell number that may not be answered during work hours, leading to failed verification by state auditors.
Employer Representative Address
textEnter the complete business mailing address (street, city, state, ZIP) for the primary representative, which must be a location where official state correspondence can be delivered and received.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a P.O. Box without a street address, providing the restaurant's physical address if it differs from the corporate office, or entering an incorrect ZIP code, any of which can delay critical legal notices.
Top 5 Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster Mistakes
1. Posting an Outdated or Generic Poster
Using an old poster from a prior year or downloading a generic, non-Tennessee-specific template. The Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation updates the required poster's content periodically. Posting an outdated version fails the compliance inspection. Always download the current, official 'Notice to Employees – Workers' Compensation' form directly from the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) website. In Memphis, inspectors specifically check for the current form date and Tennessee state seal.
2. Incorrect or Missing Insurance Carrier Information
Failing to legibly write or type in your specific insurance carrier's name, policy number, and contact phone number in the designated blanks before posting. A poster with blank or incomplete carrier info is non-compliant and can lead to employee confusion and fines. For example, writing 'ABC Insurance' instead of the full legal name 'ABC Insurance Company of Tennessee' or your assigned policy number can cause issues. Fill in every required field on the poster before you laminate or frame it.
3. Posting in an Inaccessible or Non-Prominent Location
Placing the poster in a back office, break room cabinet, or other area not frequented by all employees. Tennessee law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-901) requires the poster be displayed in a conspicuous place frequented by employees. A location not easily visible to all shifts (like a manager's locked office) is a common violation. It must be posted where employment notices are customarily placed, such as next to time clocks or in common break areas.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster
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Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | ||
| Memphis | ||
| Nashville |
Timeline: Typically 1-2 Business Days
Determine Your Poster Requirements & Source
Verify the exact Tennessee Workers' Compensation Poster you need for your Memphis restaurant. The required poster is issued by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance. You must have it, but there is no 'application' to submit. Instead, you either download it free from the state website or order a printed copy from an approved vendor. Have your business address and type ready to confirm you're accessing the correct, current version (2026). The most common trip-up is using an outdated poster from a general online search, which does not satisfy the law.
Download or Order the Official Poster
Access the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance's website to download the free, official PDF poster (Form C-91). If you prefer a printed copy, you can order one from state-approved vendors, which may involve a small fee. Ensure you select the 2026 version, as the content and design are updated periodically to reflect current law and contact information. Having a reliable printer or confirming the vendor's shipping time is key to avoid delays in physical posting.
Print, Laminate, and Prepare for Display
Print the downloaded PDF poster on durable paper, ideally at a size of at least 8.5" x 11" (or the size of the ordered printed copy). Many restaurants laminate the poster to protect it from kitchen moisture and grease. You'll need to have a suitable location ready for posting—typically a common area like a break room, office, or near time clocks where employees can easily see it. The mistake that causes compliance issues is posting it in a manager-only office or a cluttered hallway where it's not conspicuous.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the Tennessee department of labor. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Tennessee.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThere is no formal processing timeline for acquiring the Tennessee Workers' Compensation poster itself, as it is a downloadable notice. The state does not require an approval process, but Tennessee law mandates you post it immediately upon hiring your first employee. You should coordinate this posting with your other foundational compliance steps, such as securing your Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation). The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development website is the official source for the current poster file.
The government filing fee for the Tennessee Workers' Compensation poster is $0. According to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the official notice is provided free of charge for download and printing. This differs from other mandatory registrations that may have fees, such as the City Business License/Registration in Memphis. Not legal advice — verify with the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
No, you cannot 'transfer' a physical poster to a new business location. The poster requirement is tied to your status as an employer under Tennessee law, not to a specific address. When you move your restaurant, you must post the current, official version of the notice at the new worksite. It is your responsibility to ensure the poster is displayed wherever employees work, a requirement that is often verified during other inspections, such as those for a Certificate of Occupancy.
You do not renew a poster, but you are required to ensure it is always the current version issued by the state. The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development may update the poster's design or content, and you must replace your posted notice with the new version. There is no set renewal schedule; you must monitor the department's website for updates. Failure to display the correct poster can result in penalties, separate from any fines associated with not having other required permits.
There is no standalone 'inspection' for the Workers' Compensation poster. Instead, compliance is typically checked during broader workplace inspections conducted by Tennessee OSHA (TOSHA) or other regulatory visits. The inspector will verify the official poster is displayed prominently in a common area where all employees can see it, such as a break room or near time clocks. If the poster is missing, outdated, or not displayed correctly, the inspector can issue a citation and fine. This check is often part of a general safety review, which may also cover requirements like proper Backflow Prevention Device Certification for your plumbing.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Tennessee specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 4 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
- Nashville — Department of Labor / Labor Standards
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