Effective August 31, 2025 the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) will mandate a significant change in how Employer’s Reports of Injury (FNOI) are submitted:

1. Employers (not carriers) must now complete and sign the FNOI via the ICA’s online webform.
2. Paper, PDF, fax, and mail submissions will be rejected.

This article explains why this change is happening, whether it’s part of a broader trend, and how you can prepare to ensure compliance – seamlessly.

What Led to This Change?

The ICA is centralizing the FNOI process by moving from PDF or paper forms to an e-signable webform. This shift aims to:

• Accelerate claims initiation by reducing manual handling and delays.
• Increase data accuracy through built-in validation (e.g., required fields, not-a-robot checks).
• Modernize state-level processing for more reliable, auditable records and improved regulatory compliance.

Is This Arizona-Only — or National?

Arizona isn’t alone in adopting digital reporting tools:

• States like Missouri accept FROI (First Report of Injury) electronically via web-enabled filing (electronic data interchange, or EDI).
• Others — such as California, New York, and South Dakota — have implemented or are exploring electronic injury reporting mechanisms too.

What’s notable about Arizona’s move is the complete responsibility shift to employers, rather than merely offering an electronic option.

Why This Matters – A Real-World Example

Consider how in Missouri, employers or carriers are required to file injury reports electronically within a set timeframe. Transitioning to online formats has noticeably sped up processing times and improved compliance with reporting deadlines.

Arizona’s final-stage shift reinforces accountability and streamlines workflows—but requires adaptation from employers too. Submitting through the ICA’s webform is now not optional development—it is operational necessity.

What to Expect with the ICA’s Webform

• Clear, required fields, like employer name, injury date, and provider information.
• An Adobe e-sign request is sent to the contact who fills it out—required for official submission.
• Employers then forward the signed e-form to carriers, such as via email, portal, or fax.
• Unsigned forms automatically expire in seven days, and must be resubmitted.

Access the form here: ICA Employer’s Report of Injury Form

Preparing for August 31: Quick Checklist

• Action: Educate HR and safety staff on the new submission process.
• Who Needs To Do It: Employers

• Action: Begin using the webform now (grace period until Aug 31).
• Who Needs To Do It: Employers

• Action: Test submission and forwarding to carriers.
• Who Needs To Do It: Employers & Carriers

• Action: Update internal SOPs to reflect online-first FNOI filing
• Who Needs To Do It: Employers

• Action: Clearly communicate the change to insureds.
• Who Needs To Do It: Agencies & Insurers

Final Thoughts

While this update represents a notable shift, it’s part of an evolving national trend toward digital-first claims reporting. By implementing the ICA’s webform early, you’ll reduce processing delays, cut friction, and stay compliant with new state requirements.