Last update: June 10, 2023
Minimum Hiring Age in Arkansas
What is the minimum age to be employed in Arkansas? The legal age to work in Arkansas is 14, but governed by state and federal child labor laws and varies based on:
- The type of work (e.g., agricultural or non-agricultural)
- Whether the job is considered hazardous or has prohibited duties.
- Whether school is in session.
- The legal status of the minor (e.g., emancipated minors).
- Whether the job is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
According to Federal Law (FLSA), a minor must be at least 14 years old to work for an employer (e.g. retail stores, food service establishments and gasoline service stations), with an exception for minors working for a parent or legal guardian who owns the business. This is the reason why you will never see job postings for children under the age of 14.
Age Restrictions
The following working restrictions do not apply for minors age 16 and 17 under following provisions: 1. He/she has graduate of any high school, vocational school, or technical school 2. He/she is married or is a parent.Additional Working Restrictions:
- Under 14 No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed or permitted to work in any remunerative occupation in this state, except that during school vacation, children under fourteen years may be employed by their parents or guardians in occupations owned or controlled by them.
- 16 No child under sixteen years shall be employed or permitted to work in any occupation dangerous to the life and limb, or injurious to the health and morals of the child, or in any saloon, resort, or bar where intoxicating liquors of any kind are sold or dispensed.
- No child under the age of sixteen years shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work in any capacity:
- In, about, or in connection with any processes in which dangerous or poisonous acids or gases or other chemicals are used;
- In soldering;
- In occupations causing dust in injurious quantities;
- In scaffolding;
- In heavy work in the building trades;
- In any tunnel or excavation;
- In any mine, coal breaker, coke oven, or quarry; or
- In any pool or billiard room.
- No child under the age of sixteen years shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work in any capacity:
- 18 Unrestricted.
Minimum age to drive motor vehicles (cars and small trucks) on public roads as part of jobs is basically 17 years old, with certain requirements.
Minimum age to serve and bartend alcohol in Arkansas:
| Beer | Wine | Spirits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serve | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Bartend | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Work Hours
- 14: may not work: more than six days in any week; more than forty-eight hours in any week; more than eight hours in any day; before 6:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., except that on nights preceding nonschool days, they may work until 9:00 p.m.
- 16: May not work: more than six (6) days in any week; more than fifty-four (54) hours in any week; more than ten (10) consecutive hours in any day; more than ten (10) hours in a twenty-four-hour period; or before 6:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m., except that children ages sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) years may be employed until 12:00 midnight on nights preceding nonschool days.
- 18: Unrestricted
Maximum daily and weekly hours and days per week for minors ages 14 and 15:
8-48-6
Nightwork prohibited for minors ages 14 and 15:
7 p.m. (9 p.m. before non-school day) to 6 a.m.
Maximum daily and weekly hours and days per week for ages 16 and 17:
16-year-old children cannot work more than 10 hours consecutive or more than 10 hours in a 24 hours period. The 24-hour period is defined by the following:
- If a child sixteen (16) years-old has a rest break between shifts or period of work of at least ten (10) hours, the division will determine compliance by the hours worked between midnight of one calendar day and midnight of the following calendar day.
- If a child sixteen (16) years-old does not have a rest break between shifts or periods of work of at least ten (10) hours, the division will determine compliance by the hours worked in any 24-hour period.
- 16-year-old children generally cannot work between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on nights preceding a school day. If not a school day, then they can work until midnight. In certain situations, they can work the hours between midnight and 6 a.m.
Nightwork prohibited for ages 16 and 17:
11 p.m. to 6 a.m. before school day (for 16 year-olds only; no requirements for 17 year-olds)
Work Permit
In order to employ a child under 16, the employer must obtain a work permit (https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Minor-App-2022.pdf) from the Arkansas Department of Labor. The State issues the certificate on request for 16 years old.
Minimum Wages
The minimum wages in Arkansas is $11.00. FLSA allow employers to pay a youth minimum wage of not less than $4.25 an hour to employees who are under 20 years of age during the first 90 consecutive calendar days after initial employment.