Texas Rules on Employing Minors

In Texas, employment permits are no longer required for minors. A child who is at least 14 years of age may apply to the Texas Workforce Commission for a certificate of age that states the date of birth of the child. The application must include documentary proof of age as required by the commission. After approval by the commission of the proof of age, the commission will issue to the child a certificate of age.

An employer may not employ a person under 18 years of age to sell, prepare, serve, or otherwise handle liquor, or to assist in doing so. A holder of a permit or license providing for the on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages may employ a person under 18 years of age to work in any capacity other than the actual selling, preparing, or serving of alcoholic beverages. The holder of a permit or license providing for the on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages who also holds a food and beverage certificate may employ a person under 18 years of age to work as a cashier for transactions involving the sale of alcoholic beverages if the alcoholic beverages are served by a person 18 years of age or older.

Effective September 1, 2005, the child labor law does not apply to the employment of a minor who is age 11 or over and engaged in the delivery of newspapers to the consumer.