NEW SOC code reporting required

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a law requiring employers to report SOC codes in their quarterly reports for unemployment insurance.

What are SOC codes?

SOC stands for Standard Occupational Classification. It’s a federal coding system that helps government agencies and private businesses compare occupational data.

This data is used by:

• Government program managers.
• Industry and labor relations specialists.
• Students considering career training.
• Job seekers.
• Vocational training schools.
• Employers wishing to set salaries or locate a new business.

Resources

Register for a free webinar!

Webinar slide deck
Webinar recording (Friday, May 27) 
Webinar recording (Friday, June 10)

List of Standard Occupational Classification codes and definitions

Standard Occupational Classification coding guidelines

Standard Occupational Classification manual

Search occupational titles and codes

When does SOC code reporting begin?

Optional reporting

If you use Employer Account Management Services for Single Filers – also known as new EAMS singles — you have the option to include SOC codes. Give it a try!

Required reporting

All employers will be required to report SOC codes starting with the fourth quarter 2022 tax report.

What happens if you don’t file SOC codes starting with your fourth quarter 2022 tax report?

You could get a penalty for incorrect or incomplete SOC code reporting. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you. If you have any questions about how to report SOC codes, just send us an email at socreporting@esd.wa.gov.

SOC code reporting dates

Starting Nov. 15, 2021:

• Customers using our newer version of EAMS can look up SOC codes.

Dec. 1, 2021, through third quarter 2022: 

• Continue using EAMS to submit your quarterly reports. 
• Customers using our newer version of EAMS can use the new SOC code lookup tool to find the most accurate codes for each of your employees. 
  • Starting in mid-2022, customers will be upgraded to the newer version of EAMS, which can remember the SOC codes you entered last quarter. 

Starting fourth quarter 2022:

• All employers required to report SOC codes.
• You could get a penalty if you don’t report SOC codes correctly or completely.

Questions about SOC code reporting? Contact socreporting@esd.wa.gov.