Assessment rates and employer classification system
As an Island employer, your payments to the WCB fund PEI's workers compensation system. These contributions are based on your annual assessable payroll and your assessment rate.
How are assessment rates determined?
WCB coverage is a type of group insurance. Assessment rates are determined using the employer classification system and are based on the type of industry your business operates in. Employers that perform similar work and face similar workplace risks are grouped together into industry rate groups.
The WCB bases the assessment rate for each industry group on the overall cost of claims for all employers within that group. This way, claim costs are shared collectively among employers with similar operations and risks.
The rates are based on:
- The relative costs of injuries
- The payroll for all employers in each rate group
- The cost of administering the compensation system
Assessment rates are set annually by the WCB's Board of Directors. They’re calculated per $100 of assessable payroll based on the maximum assessable earnings (MAE) for that year. The MAE for 2026 is $89,300.
See more about how your rate is calculated in Rate Calculation Details in your Online Services account.
How does the WCB verify that my payroll is accurate?
The WCB may audit your records at any time. An audit is a formal check of your payroll and business records to make sure your business is in compliance with WCB requirements. An audit allows the WCB to help you better understand payroll reporting, industry classification, and WCB programs and services.
What is the Employer Classification System?
The employer classification system is based on three principles:
- Balance – It recognizes different risk levels among employers, is clear and transparent, and provides adequate protection to Island employers.
- Consistency – It is objective, stands the test of time, and takes into account both cost experience and line of business.
- Motivation – It supports injury prevention initiatives and is based on credible cost experience that reflects an industry's true injury risk and costs.
Current rates for all Rate Groups can be found in the Classification of Industries & Assessment Rates Guide. You can also view the 2026 Group Rates table.
For more information on the classification system, please see our policy: Employer Classification (POL-42) or contact us.
How do I know if my assessment rate has changed?
Each January, you will be informed of your assessment rate for the upcoming year. This information will be included in your registration renewal package.
For more information on assessment rates, please see the Information for Employers guide and the WCB's employer services policies.
Experience Rating Program
Safety is good for business. When employers improve their safety performance, they can reduce claims costs to the workers compensation system and pay lower rates to WCB.
The Experience Rating Program offers a financial incentive to employers who put safety first. At the same time, the program allows the costs of workers compensation to be shared fairly among Island employers.
With experience rating, your assessment rate is largely determined by your firm's experience as it compares to other employers in your industry. If you are an employer with a history of claims costs higher than your industry’s average, you will pay a surcharge. If you have lower claims costs, you will receive a discount.
How do I get my business into the Experience Rating Program?
All Island employers in non-excluded industries who have paid assessments over the previous three years will be experience rated.
A claim can affect your rating for one to three years. The WCB will keep you informed about the costs of claims, and your Cost of Claims report is available through your Online Services account.
Safety matters
The best way to protect your workers and reduce costs is to prevent injuries from happening. The WCB offers a variety of programs and services designed to assist you with your investment in workplace safety and to help your workplace operate safely, including our resources and workshops.
Developing a Work Disability Prevention Program is a proactive approach to support workers remaining at work while they are recovering from an injury or illness, as well as keeping workers connected to the workplace to help them get back to work as quickly and safely as possible. In the event that one of your workers is injured, a Work Disability Prevention Program can also reduce the costs of claims.
More information is available in the Experience Rating Program FAQ, or you can contact us.
Payments
You can pay your assessment as an annual lump sum, through semi-annual billing, or with our monthly assessment payment option.
Payments can be made:
- Through our Online Services by choosing Employer Assessment Payment option.
- At any chartered bank or credit union, either in person or with online banking.
- By cheque, cash, Interac, credit card (by phone) or at the WCB office.
Phone:
902-368-5680 or toll-free 1-800-237-5049 in Atlantic Canada
Mail and In Person:
Workers Compensation Board of PEI
Employer Services
14 Weymouth Street
PO Box 757
Charlottetown PE C1A 7L7
Fax:
902-368-5705
To avoid penalties for non-payment, please pay your assessment by the due date. Assessments are due 30 days from the date of your statement. Read more tips for avoiding assessment penalties.
You do not need to wait for your Statement of Account to find out your account balance. This information is available to you at any time in the Employer Account Status option in our Online Services.
Annual lump sum payment options
You will receive an annual statement of account after registration or renewal, detailing your assessment and the amount payable. Please submit payment in full within 30 days from the statement date.
You may choose to pay your bill in installments throughout the year. However, outstanding balances are subject to service charges at a rate of 1.5% per month on any overdue balance.
If you file an annual payroll estimate with your registration renewal prior to the deadline of February 28, and your assessment is $1,000 or more, you automatically qualify to have your assessment divided into two equal billings.
The first half of the billing is processed upon filing of the payroll estimate. The second half is processed in August of the current year.
Monthly assessment payment option
The WCB offers a voluntary monthly assessment payment option (MAPO) for filing and payment of assessments. If you choose to participate in the MAPO program:
- Your premiums will be based on your actual monthly payroll.
- Payments are made monthly.
- There is no need to estimate your payroll as part of the registration renewal process.
Each month, employers participating in MAPO are required to file the amount of their previous month's payroll, together with the required assessment payment. Remittance forms are mailed to employers each month for this purpose. MAPO Remittances can be filed using our Online Services.
You can enroll in the MAPO program via our Online Services. You can also sign up for the MAPO program by completing the Monthly Assessment Payment Option (MAPO) application form ES-05 and submitting it to the WCB Office.
You can learn more about the MAPO program in our FAQ or by contacting us. Our Employer Services staff are available to answer your questions.
Account statements
- Assessment Rate Statements: Each year in January, you will be advised of your assessment rate for the upcoming year.
- Account Balance Statement: After you register or renew your registration, we will send a statement to you with the assessment amount payable. You can view your account balance at any time using the WCB's Online Services.
- Monthly Assessment Statements: If you are participating in the Monthly Assessment Payment Option, you will receive a statement of account monthly.
- Cost of Claims Reports: The WCB will provide a monthly report to show you the costs of your injured workers' claims. This report will be sent to you when there are active costs associated with your account. You can also view your report via the Cost of Claims Report in our Online Services.
Arbitrary assessment
An arbitrary assessment is a measure used to estimate and calculate employer premiums when the employer hasn’t provided the necessary information to the WCB. When an arbitrary assessment is used to calculate employer premiums, the employer’s payroll from the previous year is adjusted by an additional 25%.
Arbitrary assessments are used when an employer fails to register with the WCB or fails to provide an estimate of assessable payroll to the WCB by the February 28 registration renewal deadline.