Indiana Rules on Employing Minors

Minors under 18. In Indiana, employment certificates are not required for employment in the performing arts, but no minor under 18 may be employed except under the following conditions: (1) the activities must not be detrimental to the life, health, safety or welfare of the minor; (2) the activities must not interfere with the schooling of the minor and provision will be made for the educational equivalent to full-time school attendance in the public schools for minors under 16; (3) a parent or guardian must accompany each minor under 16 at all rehearsals, appearances and performances; and (4) the employment or appearance must at no time be in a cabaret, dance hall, night club, tavern or other similar place.

Minors under 14. No minor who is more than 14 but less than 18 years of age may be employed in any gainful occupation until the employer secures and places on file in the place of employment an employment certificate. Employment certificates are issued by a school official, such as a guidance counselor or school social worker.

Effective July 1, 2006, employment certificates must state the maximum hours that the child can be employed. Also, a child may hold more than one employment certificate. The issuing officer is required to keep a record of each employment certificate issued and a record of the maximum hours that the child may work each week for all employers.

No employment certificate is required for a minor between 14 and 18 to perform farm labor or domestic service or to act as a caddie or as a newspaper carrier during the hours when the minor is not required to be in school. No employment certificate is required for a minor under 18 who has graduated from high school.

An employment certificate may be revoked by its issuing officer if the officer determines that there has been a significant decrease in the student's grade point average or school attendance since the permit was issued.

Employers are prohibited from employing minors after 10 p.m. or before 6 a.m. in an establishment open to the public, unless there is another employee at least 18 years of age also working in the establishment during the same hours. This rule is in addition to the maximum hours restrictions already in place.