Child Labor Requirements

April 13, 2006

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Federal wage and hour law restrictions on child labor prevent any business that is subject to the FLSA from employing children in violation of the law. The FLSA does not completely prohibit you from employing a child. It does, however, set out restrictions about what kind of work children can do, when they can do it, and how old they have to be to do it.

Most child labor laws do not apply to you if you are employing your own child. In fact, you may be eligible for special tax breaks for hiring your kids.

For children other than your own, you must:

See if an exemption applies to your underage employees. If it does, you don't have to read any further.
Check requirements for minors under 18 to be sure the work isn't prohibited by child labor law.
Check the added requirements for minors under 16 if your workers are in this age group.
Check your state child labor laws to be sure you're not violating them.
Get an age certificate for any children you employ.