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Teen Jobs Resource

Child Labor Laws

child labor laws

Child labor laws are a set of important rules and regulations designed to protect the rights and well-being of young individuals. These laws outline when, where, and how young people can work, ensuring their safety and educational opportunities are not compromised. They play a vital role in making sure that teenagers can experience a balance between work and their personal development. Child labor laws vary from state to state, but their common goal is to provide a safe and fair environment for young workers. In this discussion, we’ll delve into child labor laws and their significance in safeguarding the rights of young workers.

Alabama (AL)
Under 14 Minimum age to work in Alabama is 14 years old (under 14 MAY NOT WORK)
14-15 May work in retail, clerical and child care occupations. May not work in an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold or served. Employers must have Class I Certificate.
16-17 May be employed in such establishments as busboy, janitors, dishwashers, cooks, hostesses, or seaters. Employers must have Class II Certificate.
18-19 May work in that part of an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold or served for consumption on premises.
Resource alabama.gov
Alaska (AK)
Under 14 May only work in the following occupations:
– Newspaper sales and delivery.
– Babysitting, handiwork and domestic employment in or about private homes.
– Occupations in the entertainment industry, with an approved work permit from the Alaska Wage and Hour Administration.
14-15 During school vacations, work hours will be limited to 40 hours per week between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
16-17 May work for six days in a week. Must have a work permit on file with the department if the employer has a restaurant designation and is licensed to sell alcohol.
18-19 May not sell tobacco or tobacco products in the course of their employment.
Resource alaska.gov
Arkansas (AR)
Under 14 Children under age 14 years are prohibited from working, except that during school vacation, children under fourteen (14) years may be employed by their parents or guardians in occupations owned or controlled by them.
14-15 May not work before 6:00 A.M. or after 7:00 P.M. during schooldays and limited to 48 hours within six days in a week.
16-17 May not work before 6:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m. during schooldays and limited to 54 hours within six days in a week.
18-19 No restrictions applied.
Resource arkansas.gov
California (CA)
All minors under 18 years of age employed in the state of California must have a permit to work.
12-13 May be employed only during school holidays and vacations. During school vacations, work hours will be limited to 8 hours per day from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
14-15 Must have completed 7th grade to work while school in session with maximum of 3 hours per schoolday outside of school hours and 8 hours on any non-schoolday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
16-17 Must have completed 7th grade to work while school in session with maximum of 4 hours per schoolday outside of school hours and 8 hours on any non-schoolday from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
18-19 May not be employed during business hours in or on that portion of any premises that are primarily designed and used for the sale and service of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
Resource ca.gov
Colorado (CO)
14-15 Must have school release permit to work during school hours. May not work more than 40 hours per week or 8 hours in any 24-hour period.
16-17 May not work more than 40 hours per week or 8 hours in any 24-hour period.
18-20 18 year olds are not minors and are not subject to Colorado youth laws.
Resource colorado.gov
Connecticut (CT)
14-15 May not work during school hours.• Before 7:00am or after 7:00pm • More than 3 hours per day • More than 18 hours a week
16-17 May work only from 6:00am to 11:00pm • 6 hours per day • 8 hours per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource ct.us
Delaware (DE)
14-15 Must have a Class 1 work permit, very limited on hours worked during the school year. Limited to retail, clerical, and child care occupations. May not work where alcohol is sold or served.
16-17 Must have Class 2 work permit. Cannot work after 10:00pm or before 5:00am. See the link below for the prohibited occupations
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource delawareworks.com
District of Columbia (DC)
14-15 May not be employed, permitted, or suffered to work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., except during the summer (June 1 through Labor Day) when such minors may work until 9:00 p.m.
16-17 May not be employed, permitted, or suffered to work in, about, or in connection with any gainful occupation, except in agricultural work, or housework, or in the distribution or sale of newspapers. May not be employed, permitted, or suffered to work before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. of any day;
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource dccouncil.us
Florida (FL)
14-15 Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18. • Employers are required to keep Work Permits on file for each employed minor.
16-17 Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18. • Employers are required to keep Work Permits on file for each employed minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource myfloridalicense.com
Georgia (GA)
14-15 Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18.
16-17 Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource georgia.gov
Hawaii (HI)
14-15 Must work between 7:00am and 7:00pm, no more than six consecutive days, and no more than eighteen hours in a week. Cannot work more than three hours on any school day.
16-17 Must work between 7:00am and 7:00pm, no more than six consecutive days, and no more than eighteen hours in a week. Cannot work more than three hours on any school day.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource hawaii.gov
Idaho (ID)
14-15 • 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week; • 8 hours on a non-school day or 40 hours in a non-school week. Also, work may not begin before 7:00am or end after 7:00pm, except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9:00pm. Different rules apply in agricultural employment. Employers of ‘tipped employees’ aged 21; must pay a cash wage of at least $2.13 per hour if they claim a tip credit
16-17 Does not specifically prohibit jobs. There are 17 listed Hazardous Occupations: if any of them apply, it would be prohibited
18-19 Must be 19 to serve alcohol.
Resource idaho.gov
Illinois (IL)
14-15 Employment certificates must be issued by the school district and filed with the Department of Labor confirming that a minor is old enough to work.
16-17 Does not specifically prohibit jobs. There are 17 listed Hazardous Occupations: if any of them apply, it would be prohibited
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource illinois.gov
Indiana (IN)
14-15 Forbid the employment in occupations deemed prohibited under the child labor provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Work permits may not be issued and employers must not employ minors
16-17 Forbid the employment in occupations deemed prohibited under the child labor provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Work permits may not be issued and employers must not employ minors.
18-19 Must be 19 to serve alcohol.
Resource in.gov
Iowa (IA)
14-15 May work 6 hours per day on school days, up to 28 hours per week when school is in session.
16-17 Prohibited from doing certain dangerous tasks and from certain dangerous occupations.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource iowadivisionoflabor.gov
Kansas (KS)
14-15 Work permits required. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 10:00pm on days preceding a school day.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource ks.gov
Kentucky (KY)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 20 to serve alcohol.
Resource ky.gov
Louisiana (LA)
14-15 Have on file an employment certificate for you completed by your school or school board. Limit your work schedule to no more than 3 hours on a school day and no more than 18 hours total during a school week.
16-17 Cannot work before 5:00am or after 11:00pm.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource laworks.net
Maine (ME)
14-15 Must have work permit. May work in most businesses, except in most jobs in bakeries, manufacturing mechanical, dry cleaners, laundries, hotels/motels, and most commercial places of amusement.
16-17 may work in most businesses, but not in hazardous jobs. Must be 17 to serve alcohol.
18-19
Resource maine.gov
Maryland (MD)
14-15 Required to have a Minor Work Permit. Employers are required to have a work permit
16-17 Required to have a Minor Work Permit. Employers are required to have a work permit
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource md.us
Massachusetts (MA)
14-15 Employment permits are required. Cannot work between 7:00pm and 7:00am.
16-17 Employment permits are required. May NOT be employed between 10:00pm and 6:00am.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource mass.gov
Michigan (MI)
14-15 May be employed between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm. Combined hours of school and work cannot exceed 48 hours in a work week.
16-17 May be employed between the hours of 6:00am and 10:30pm Sunday through Thursday. Employed no more than 18 hours while school is in session.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource michigan.gov
Minnesota (MN)
14-15 Cannot work before 7:00am or after 9:00pm with the exception of a newspaper carrier
16-17 Cannot work later than 11:00pm on evenings before school days or before 5:00am on school days
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource mn.gov
Mississippi (MS)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource mdes.ms.gov
Missouri (MO)
14-15 Work Certificates are required. Must work between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm. No more than three hours during school days.
16-17 No work permit required. Cannot work more than 5 1/2 hours without a 15 minute break.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource labor.mo.gov
Montana (MT)
14-15 Cannot work during school hours, before 7:00am or after 7:00pm, or be employed more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week.
16-17 Cannot work during school hours, before 7:00am or after 7:00pm, or be employed more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource mt.gov
Nebraska (NE)
14-15 Must have a Class 1 work permit, very limited on hours worked during the school year. Limited to retail, clerical, and child care occupations. May not work where alcohol is sold or served.
16-17 Must have Class 2 work permit, Cannot work after 10:00pm or before 5:00am. See the link below for the prohibited occupations.
18-19 Must be 19 to serve alcohol.
Resource ne.gov
Nevada (NV)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 21 to serve alcohol.
Resource nv.us
New Hampshire (NH)
14-15 No youth shall be employed or permitted to work without a certificate. Cannot work earlier than 7:00am or later than 9:00pm, more than 3 hours per day on school days or 23 hours per week.
16-17 Cannot work more than 6 consecutive days or more than 30 hours during the school calendar week
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource nh.gov
New Jersey (NJ)
14-15 Can work 3 hours per day, 18 hours per week when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work before 6:00am or after 11:00pm.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource nj.gov
New Mexico (NM)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 19 to serve alcohol.
Resource nm.us
New York (NY)
14-15 Must have A Student Non-factory Employment Certificate. May work after school hours and during vacations, but not in factory work. They may do delivery and clerical work in any enclosed office of a factory, and in dry cleaning, tailor, shoe repair, and similar service stores
16-17 If attending school a Student General Employment Certificate is required. If not attending school, a Full-Time Employment Certificate is required. If not attending school, may work full time throughout the year. Factory work is permitted for minors 16 years of age or older.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource ny.gov
North Carolina (NC)
14-15 Youth employment certificates (YEC) are required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Youth employment certificates (YEC) are required.Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource nc.gov
North Dakota (ND)
14-15 A Certificate of employment is required as well as a letter from a prospective employer is required before an employment certificate is issued. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource nd.gov
Ohio (OH)
14-15 Must have workers permit. Cannot work for more than 5 hours without at least a 30 minute break. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Must have workers permit. Cannot work before 6:00am or after 11:00pm.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource ohio.gov
Oklahoma (OK)
14-15 Employment certificate issued by schools; required for all employed minors. Employers are required to have an employment certificate from the school before a minor is allowed to work.
16-17 Employment certificate issued by schools; required for all employed minors. Employers are required to have an employment certificate from the school before a minor is allowed to work.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource ok.gov
Oregon (OR)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 No hourly restriction. Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource oregon.gov
Pennsylvania (PA)
14-15 A general or vacation employment certificate is required. The employment certificates are issued by school authorities. Maximum 4 hours on school days, 8 hours on any other day, and 18 hours per school week.
16-17 A general or vacation employment certificate is required. The employment certificates are issued by school authorities. A transferable work permit may be issued to 16 and 17 year olds. Maximum 28 hours per school week.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource pa.gov
Rhode Island (RI)
14-15 Cannot work during school hours. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Must have Class 2 work permit. Cannot work after 10:00pm or before 5:00am. See the link below for the prohibited occupations.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource ri.gov
South Carolina (SC)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource sc.gov
South Dakota (SD)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 No work hour restrictions. Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource sd.gov
Tennessee (TN)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work during hours when you are required to attend school. Cannot work between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource tn.gov
Texas (TX)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource texas.gov
Utah (UT)
14-15 May not start work before 5:00am and cannot work after 9:30pm. Can work in non-hazardous occupations, such as retail stores, restaurants, fast food, service stations, lawn care, janitorial, and other occupations not determined harmful by the Labor Commission.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 21 to serve alcohol.
Resource utah.gov
Vermont (VT)
14-15 Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource vermont.gov
Virginia (VA)
14-15 Must have an employment certificate, have limited work hours, and cannot work in certain jobs. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource virginiarules.org
West Virginia (WV)
14-15 Work permit required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. During summer hours must get 30 minute lunch after 5 hours.
16-17 Work permit may be required. Works hours unrestricted. Prohibited from occupations involving the serving or dispensing of alcohol while working in an establishment (other than a bar) where alcohol is served, dispensed and consumed on the premises.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource wv.us
Wisconsin (WI)
14-15 Work permit required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 4 hours per day when school is in session. 24 hours for a partial school week. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 11:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work more than 26 hours per week or more than 5 hours per day when school is in session. 32 hours for a partial school week. Cannot work before 5:00am or after 11:00pm.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource wi.gov
Wyoming (WY)
14-15 Work permit required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm.
16-17 Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor.
18-19 Must be 18 to serve alcohol.
Resource dws.wyo.gov

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Hazardous Works

If you are not yet 18, you are prohibited from being employed in occupations that have been declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor:

  1. Manufacturing or storing of explosives;
  2. Driving a motor vehicle or working as an outside helper on motor vehicles;
  3. Coal mining;
  4. Forest fire fighting and forest fire prevention, timber tract, forestry service, and occupations in logging and sawmilling;
  5. Using power-driven woodworking machines;
  6. Exposure to radioactive substances and ionizing radiation;
  7. Using power-driven hoisting apparatus;
  8. Using power-driven metal-forming, punching and shearing machines;
  9. Mining, other than coal;
  10. Using power-driven meat-processing machines, slaughtering, meat and poultry packing, processing, or rendering;
  11. Using power-driven bakery machines;
  12. Using balers, compactors, and power-driven paper-products machines
  13. Manufacturing brick, tile, and related products;
  14. Using power-driven circular saws, band saws, guillotine shears, chain saws, reciprocating saws, wood chippers, and abrasive cutting discs
  15. Working in wrecking, demolition, and ship-breaking operations;
  16. Roofing and work performed on or about a roof;
  17. Trenching or excavating.

child labor