State Child Labor Laws

April 13, 2006

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All states have some laws restricting the employment of children or minors. Generally, there are restrictions in two areas: (1) the type of occupation and (2) the hours of employment. In addition, many states provide for the issuance of employment certificates or work permits as a prerequisite to employment.

By law, regulation, or both, all states list hazardous occupations in which minors below a specific age cannot be employed. Many times there are separate lists for minors under 18, minors under 16, and minors under 14. A substantial number of states prohibit most employment for all minors under age 14. Usual exceptions include newspaper deliveries, family businesses, and agricultural work.

Almost all states restrict the hours of employment for minors under the age of 16. Several also have hours restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds. Employment may be restricted to a specified number of hours a day or week and to daytime or early evening hours. In addition, permissible hours of work usually are reduced even more for school-aged minors while school is in session. Restrictions may be liberalized for vacation periods.

State child labor law is detailed and complex. If you should decide to hire a minor, check with your state labor agency about what you should do to comply with the following provisions of child labor law: