INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
ASSESSMENT TOOL
1. Occupation Exemption
For a worker to qualify under the occupation exemption, the worker must fall under any of the below listed occupations. However, there are certain occupations that are complicated to qualify under as there are additional requirements to consider that are beyond the scope of ICAT. Complicated occupations have an asterisk (*) next to them. If your worker falls under a complicated occupation, please read the paragraph after the occupation list below.
Additionally, even if the worker qualifies under this exemption, the worker will still need to pass an additional test to be classified as an independent contractor, called the “Borello test,” which can be ambiguous and difficult to apply. When applying the Borello test, it is strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney to properly assess whether your worker is an independent contractor.
Does the worker fall under any of the occupations listed below?
Doctors
Lawyers
Dentists
Veterinarians
Licensed Insurance Agents
A person who provides underwriting inspections, premium audits, risk management, or loss control work for the insurance and financial industries
Accountants
Architects
Engineers
Private Investigators
Hairstylists
Newspaper distributors working under contract with a newspaper publisher
Translators
Securities Broker-Dealers
Investment Advisors
Direct Salespersons, as described in Section 650 of the CA Unemployment Insurance Code
Manufactured Housing Salespersons
Data Aggregators who perform paid surveys or market research
Certain Commercial Fishermen*
Competition Judges with a specialized skillset or expertise*
Certain contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry*
Certain individuals in the music recording industry*
*Additional requirements may apply that are complicated to list here. Because of the complexity, it is best to consult with an attorney to determine whether your worker can qualify under this certain occupation. Schedule a 30 minute phone consultation for a discounted rate of $100 below to learn whether your worker can qualify under this certain occupation.