Work Permits

• Though the federal government does not require work permits or certificates of age for minor children, most states do. Children under the age of 18, or 16 in some states, must have a work permit before seeking paid employment at a business. This law does not extend to small odd jobs, such as paper routes, neighborhood chores, babysitting or cleaning up around the house, even if the child is receiving pay from a parent or other source. It does, however, extend to a parent's place of work. If a parent employs a child at their place of business they must file the application for the work permit through the state's Department of Labor. If a state requires a work permit or certificate of age you must obtain one prior to the minor's employment.
  
  

Forbidden Job Hazards

• Minors are not allowed to perform certain tasks under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They cannot serve alcohol, be exposed to radioactive substances, or operate most types of heavy machinery. They are also forbidden from working in trenches deeper than 4 feet, and from working as loggers, sawers, slaughterers, meat packers and miners.
  
  

Age Limit

• Though children under the age of 18 can obtain work, children younger than 14 are forbidden from obtaining any form of paid employment. The exceptions to this are children who work on a family farm and individuals in the entertainment industry, such as singers, dancers, actors and models.
  
  

Work Hours

• During the school year a minor can only work for up to 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week. If a student is enrolled in a Work Experience Education program he is permitted to work up to 23 hours per week. Aside from those enrolled in a Work Experience Education program, minors cannot be employed during school hours. When school is not in session a minor can work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
  
  

Time Frame

• There is a curfew that governs how late at night or early in the morning a minor can work. They can only be employed between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. And, they should not be employed during conflicting school hours. The curfew is extended to 9:00 p.m. between June 1st and Labor Day, when most schools are out for summer.