• All states have labor laws in place to protect workers under the age of 18. Exemptions include students under 18 who have already graduated high school. These laws regulate hours and acceptable and prohibited occupations among other things and are divided between 14- and 15-year-olds and 16- and 17-year-olds.
  
  

Work Permit

• You must be at least 14 years old to request a work permit. The superintendent of schools provides these permits, and you must get a new one every time you change jobs. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds do not need work permits for jobs during the summer when school is closed. The employer must obtain proof of age and a signed consent from a parent or guardian.
  
  

Wage Agreements

• The state requires employers to formulate a wage agreement upon employment stating the hourly, weekly or daily wage the minor will receive. You cannot reduce amounts without at least 24 hours written notice (see Resources for a sample agreement).
  
  

Hours

• Fourteen- and 15-year-olds cannot work more than three hours a day on school days or 18 hours during any week where school is in session. Acceptable working hours fall between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; they cannot be any earlier or later. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can work as many hours as they choose but cannot start work before 7 a.m. or work past 11 p.m. They can start at 6 a.m. if they were released from work the previous night before 8 p.m.
  
  During periods of school closure, 14- and 15-year-olds can work up to eight hours a day and 40 hours a week and can work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The state does not impose any restrictions on hours or working times for 16- and 17-year-olds.
  
  Minors need at least a 30-minute break for every five consecutive hours of work.
  
  

Prohibited Occupations

• The state divides prohibited occupations between those restricted for all minors and those restricted for 14- and 15-year-olds. Examples of job falling into the first category include slaughterhouses, occupations involving chemicals, explosives, mining, logging, driving, roofing and operating certain types of machinery. Examples of jobs restricted for 14- and 15-year-olds include manufacturing and warehouse jobs, loading and unloading goods from trucks, machinery repair and public messenger services.