Pennsylvania Rules on Employing Minors

Employers in Pennsylvania are not permitted to employ a person under 18 during the hours that public schools are in session unless the employer has on file a legally issued employment certificate, farm permit or domestic service permit. Employment certificates are issued only by specified school officials. If the minor leaves employment or is absent for five days, the employer must immediately in writing notify the school official who issued the certificate.

A special work permit is not required by a minor to participate in a nonprofit, educational, theatrical production if there is informed, written consent of a parent or guardian, participation is for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days, participation is not during school hours, and the minor receives no direct or indirect remuneration.

Minors under the age of 16 may not be engaged in youth peddling except under the following conditions: (1) a signed consent has been obtained from the minor's parent or guardian; (2) appropriate adult supervision is provided; (3) the minor is not engaged in youth peddling past 6 p.m. of any day; (4) the minor is engaged in youth peddling on only those days and during those hours prescribed by the department; (5) any other requirements as the department may establish, by regulation, to protect the minor's safety, health and well-being; (6) school officers charged with issuing employment certificates under the child labor law and its regulations shall approve the employment of minors to conduct youth peddling in accordance with these conditions. Youth peddling means the selling of goods or services by minors to customers at their residences, places of business or public places, including but not limited to, street corners, roadway medians, sports and performing arts facilities, public transportation stations, sales from vehicles or the placement of advertisements or literature outside of fixed retail locations. It does not include minors who sell products, goods or services as volunteers without compensation on behalf of nonprofit organizations, minors engaged in the delivery of newspapers to consumers at their residence or place of business or minors employed at fixed retail locations in compliance with the provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The term also does not include minors who sell products, goods or services under the immediate supervision of a parent or guardian and do not reside away from their home while engaged in the sales activity.