Class Code 5474

Workers Comp (NCCI)

Painting — NOC & Shop Operations

Painting contractors — interior and exterior, residential and commercial — not otherwise classified. Exterior work at height is what drives the rate; some states split out separate codes for structural steel or bridge painting (much higher).

Operations commonly included

Interior and exterior building painting
Drywall touch-up incidental to painting
Staining and clear-coating

Commonly classified elsewhere

Structural steel/bridge painting (much higher codes)
Wallpaper-only operations (some states)
Drywall installation (its own code)

Real-world example

A repaint contractor doing houses and offices is 5474 across the operation — there is no cheaper "interior-only" NCCI code, though GL does split interior/exterior.

⚠️ Common audit mistake Calling exterior painters "handymen" or splitting a fake interior-only class. Also: subcontracted sprayers without COIs become your payroll.

State variation: Steel/tank/bridge painting is separately (and steeply) rated nearly everywhere.

Rated on: Gross payroll, per $100.

Trades that use this code

Related codes

Classification varies by state and carrier — several states use independent bureaus, and carriers file their own GL codes. Confirm your fit with a licensed agent before relying on any code. 🤝

Written by the We Insure Things team — licensed independent insurance agents. Last reviewed July 13, 2026. General references: NCCI · NAICS (Census) · your state insurance department. Codes summarized in plain English; official classification language controls.