ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHILD LABOR LAWS

Child Labor Laws 101: Federal Rules for Hiring Minors

Hiring teenagers can help businesses meet seasonal staffing needs while providing young workers with valuable employment experience. However, employers must understand the federal and state child labor laws that govern when minors may work, how many hours they may work, and which jobs they may perform.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes federal youth employment protections designed to safeguard minors' health, safety, and educational opportunities.

Employers hiring workers under age 18 should review applicable child labor requirements before assigning work schedules or job duties.

What Are Federal Child Labor Laws?

Federal child labor laws establish minimum age requirements, working-hour restrictions, and limitations on hazardous occupations.

The requirements vary depending on the employee's age, industry, and type of work.

Federal rules also distinguish between agricultural and nonagricultural employment. This article focuses primarily on nonagricultural employment.

Federal Child Labor Laws by Age

Children Ages 13 and Under

Under the FLSA, children younger than 14 generally cannot be employed in covered nonagricultural occupations.

However, certain exceptions exist, including qualifying employment involving:

• Newspaper delivery to consumers.
• Acting and performing in certain entertainment productions.
• Making evergreen wreaths at home under specified conditions.
• Employment in a business entirely owned by a parent, subject to applicable restrictions.
• Certain agricultural activities governed by separate federal rules.

Employers should verify that a specific exception applies before hiring a child younger than 14.

Children Ages 14 and 15

Federal law permits 14- and 15-year-olds to work in certain nonmanufacturing, nonmining, and nonhazardous occupations outside school hours.

Common examples of potentially permitted work include certain retail, office, and food service activities, subject to applicable restrictions.

However, federal law limits both the number of hours these minors may work and the times of day they may be employed.

Federal Work-Hour Restrictions for Ages 14 and 15

Under the general federal rules for nonagricultural employment, 14- and 15-year-olds may work:

• No more than 3 hours on a school day, including Friday.
• No more than 18 hours during a week when school is in session.
• No more than 8 hours on a nonschool day.
• No more than 40 hours during a week when school is not in session.
• Only outside school hours.
• Generally between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.

These rules are subject to limited federal exceptions and approved programs. More restrictive state laws may also apply.

Teenagers Ages 16 and 17

Under federal child labor rules for nonagricultural employment, 16- and 17-year-olds generally may work unlimited hours in occupations that are not prohibited as hazardous.

The federal three-hour school-day limit and 18-hour school-week limit generally do not apply to 16- and 17-year-olds.

However, federal hazardous occupation restrictions continue to apply until age 18.

State laws may impose additional working-hour limits, school attendance requirements, or other restrictions on employees under 18.

Which Jobs Are Prohibited for Workers Under 18?

The U.S. Department of Labor identifies certain nonagricultural occupations as particularly hazardous for minors under age 18.

Examples include certain work involving:

• Manufacturing or storing explosives.
• Motor vehicle driving and outside helper duties, subject to limited exceptions.
• Power-driven woodworking machinery.
• Forklifts and other power-driven hoisting equipment.
• Power-driven meat processing machinery.
• Power-driven bakery machinery.
• Certain saws and cutting equipment.
• Roofing operations.
• Excavation operations.
• Mining and certain other hazardous industries.

Some hazardous occupation rules contain narrowly defined exceptions for qualifying apprentices or student-learners. Employers should verify the applicable conditions before assigning restricted work.

Child Labor Laws for Restaurants and Retail Businesses

Restaurants, grocery stores, retail establishments, and other businesses frequently employ teenagers.

However, permitted duties depend on the worker's age and the equipment or activities involved.

For example, 14- and 15-year-olds may perform certain permitted food service and retail duties, but they are restricted from operating many types of power-driven machinery and performing prohibited cooking or baking activities.

Employers should evaluate individual job duties rather than assuming that every task within a restaurant or retail business is permitted for minors.

Do Child Labor Rules Change During Summer Vacation?

Yes. Federal law permits 14- and 15-year-olds to work additional hours when school is not in session.

During qualifying nonschool weeks, these minors may generally work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

From June 1 through Labor Day, the federal evening work limit is extended from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Employers should still verify state-specific restrictions because some states impose stricter youth employment rules.

Are Work Permits Required for Minors?

The federal FLSA does not generally require employers to obtain a work permit or employment certificate before hiring a minor.

However, some states require employment certificates, age certificates, parental consent, or other documentation for certain young workers.

Employers should review the requirements in the state where the minor will work.

Federal and State Child Labor Laws

Federal child labor laws establish nationwide protections for covered employment, but states may adopt additional or more restrictive requirements.

When both federal and state child labor laws apply, employers generally must comply with the stricter applicable standard.

State requirements may address:

• Minimum employment ages.
• Daily and weekly working-hour limits.
• Nighttime work restrictions.
• School attendance requirements.
• Employment certificates or work permits.
• Prohibited occupations and equipment.
• Required workplace notices.

Are Employers Required to Display Child Labor Law Posters?

Workplace posting requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Federal child labor protections are addressed in the Fair Labor Standards Act, and covered employers generally must display the applicable FLSA Employee Rights poster.

Some states also require separate child labor notices or additional information about youth employment restrictions.

Employers should determine which federal and state workplace notices apply to their business.

Visit our State and Federal Combination Labor Law Posters category for available workplace posting products.

How Can Employers Avoid Child Labor Violations?

Employers hiring minors should establish procedures to help managers comply with applicable youth employment requirements.

Recommended practices include:

• Verify each minor's age before assigning job duties.
• Review applicable federal and state youth employment laws.
• Obtain required state employment certificates or documentation.
• Train managers on permitted and prohibited job duties.
• Monitor work schedules for employees subject to hour restrictions.
• Prevent minors from operating prohibited equipment.
• Maintain accurate employment and payroll records.
• Review applicable workplace posting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Labor Laws

What is the minimum age to work under federal law?

For most covered nonagricultural employment, the general minimum age is 14. Certain exceptions apply to qualifying activities and employment arrangements.

How many hours can a 14-year-old work during summer vacation?

Under the general federal nonagricultural rules, a 14-year-old may work up to 8 hours on a nonschool day and 40 hours during a nonschool week, subject to applicable time-of-day and state restrictions.

Can a 15-year-old work until 9:00 p.m. during summer?

Generally, yes. Federal law permits qualifying 14- and 15-year-old employees to work until 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day, subject to more restrictive state laws.

Can a 16-year-old work more than 40 hours per week?

Federal child labor rules generally do not impose the same hour limits on 16- and 17-year-olds in nonagricultural employment. However, state laws and other applicable employment requirements may impose restrictions.

Can teenagers operate forklifts?

Federal hazardous occupation rules generally prohibit employees under age 18 from operating forklifts and other covered power-driven hoisting equipment.

Do employers need parental permission to hire minors?

Federal law does not establish a universal parental consent requirement for all minors. Some states require parental permission or other employment documentation.

Are child labor law posters required?

Covered employers generally must display the applicable federal FLSA notice, and some states require additional child labor postings. Requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Child Labor Law Compliance Resources

Labor Law Compliance Center provides workplace posting products and compliance resources for employers throughout the United States.

Explore our State and Federal Combination Labor Law Posters and Federal Labor Law Posters for available workplace notices.

Employers can also learn about our Poster Replacement Plan for assistance managing qualifying workplace posting updates.

Official Federal Child Labor Law Resources

For current federal requirements, employers can consult:

• U.S. Department of Labor - Child Labor
• DOL Fact Sheet #43 - Child Labor in Nonagricultural Occupations
• State Labor Law Resources

For additional workplace posting information, visit the Labor Law Compliance Center homepage.

Compliance note: This article provides general educational information about federal child labor laws. Agricultural employment, approved training programs, state laws, and other exceptions may establish different requirements. Employers should consult current official guidance before hiring minors.