Federal law does not require a 15-year-old to get a work permit, but most states do, so in practical terms the answer is almost always yes. The U.S. Department of Labor confirms that federal youth employment rules do not mandate “working papers” or “work permits,” while noting that many states require exactly that.1U.S. Department of Labor. Fact Sheet 43 – Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act for Nonagricultural Occupations Roughly three-quarters of states issue employment certificates, age certificates, or both through schools or state labor departments.2U.S. Department of Labor. Employment/Age Certificate Before your first shift, plan on getting one.
Why the Answer Depends on Your State
The Fair Labor Standards Act and its regulations at 29 CFR Part 570 set the federal floor for youth employment: which jobs 14- and 15-year-olds can hold, how many hours they can work, and which tasks are off limits.3eCFR. 29 CFR Part 570 – Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation What federal law does not do is require any kind of employment certificate. That piece is left entirely to the states.
When federal and state rules both apply, whichever is stricter wins. The regulations say so directly: no federal provision justifies ignoring a state or local law that sets a higher standard.3eCFR. 29 CFR Part 570 – Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation A state can require a work permit even though the federal government doesn’t, and the state requirement controls.
State-issued employment or age certificates are accepted as proof of age in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, federal certificates fill that role.4eCFR. 29 CFR 570.121 – Age Certificates Even in states that don’t require a permit, federal regulations encourage employers to keep an age certificate on file for any minor who might be near the legal minimum age for the job, because doing so protects the employer from unintentional child labor violations.
How to Get a Work Permit
Where a permit is required, it’s typically issued through your school or your state’s labor department, and in many states either one can handle it.2U.S. Department of Labor. Employment/Age Certificate The process is straightforward, usually free, and can be completed in a few days.
What You’ll Need
Expect to provide proof of age, usually a birth certificate, passport, or baptismal certificate. Some jurisdictions accept alternate documentation if the primary records aren’t available. You’ll also need a completed application form describing the job duties and expected hours. The prospective employer signs the application to confirm what you’ll be doing and when. A parent or legal guardian signs to give written consent.
What Happens Next
You bring the signed application and your age documentation to the issuing officer, often a school guidance counselor or administrator. That person reviews the paperwork to confirm the job duties and hours comply with the law, then issues the certificate. Your employer keeps the document on file for as long as you work there.
Turnaround is fast in most places. Since the application is a document check rather than an investigation, approvals typically happen within a few business days, and there is generally no fee.
Grades and Attendance Can Affect Your Permit
Because permits are often issued through schools, some jurisdictions tie eligibility to academic performance. A school may require minimum grades and regular attendance before approving or renewing a permit, and may revoke it if your grades slip or your attendance drops because of work. The point of youth labor rules is to keep school as the priority; if school suffers, the permit can go on hold until things improve.
When a Work Permit Isn’t Required
Some categories of work fall outside the standard permit process under federal law. A federal exemption doesn’t automatically exempt you under state law, so check with your state labor department before assuming you’re clear.
- Working for a parent. If a parent or person standing in for a parent solely owns the business, a 15-year-old can work there at any time and for any number of hours. Manufacturing, mining, and the designated hazardous occupations are still off limits.5U.S. Department of Labor. FLSA – Child Labor Rules Advisor
- Family farm work. On a farm owned or operated by a parent, a minor of any age can work in any occupation, including tasks that would otherwise be hazardous.6U.S. Department of Labor. Agricultural Employment
- Newspaper delivery. Delivering newspapers directly to consumers is exempt from the FLSA’s child labor and wage provisions. Hauling papers to distribution centers does not qualify.7eCFR. 29 CFR Part 570 Subpart G – Exemptions
- Casual babysitting. Employees performing babysitting on a casual basis are exempt from FLSA coverage entirely.8Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 29 USC 213 – Exemptions
- Acting and performing. Federal child labor restrictions don’t apply to minors employed as actors or performers in movies, theater, radio, or television. Many states require a separate entertainment work permit, so the federal exemption doesn’t necessarily mean no paperwork.8Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 29 USC 213 – Exemptions
Federal Hour Limits That Apply Either Way
Permit or no permit, these federal hour restrictions apply to every 15-year-old in a non-agricultural job. They are the single most important thing to know before accepting a position, because both you and your employer can get in trouble for going over.
When school is in session:
- 3 hours on any school day, including Fridays
- 18 hours per week
- Between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. only
When school is out (weekends, holidays, summer break):
- 8 hours per day
- 40 hours per week
- Between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. the rest of the year
All work must fall outside of school hours.9eCFR. 29 CFR 570.35 – Hours of Work and Conditions of Employment Permitted for Minors 14 and 15 Years of Age Many states impose tighter limits, such as capping combined school-plus-work hours or requiring rest breaks. Your state labor department’s website will have the specifics.
Jobs a 15-Year-Old Can and Can’t Do
Federal law draws a hard line between acceptable tasks and off-limits ones. Permitted work includes retail and food service, office tasks, grocery bagging, certain clean-up duties, and grounds maintenance with non-powered equipment.10U.S. Department of Labor. Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor
A 15-year-old cannot operate power-driven machinery beyond typical office equipment. That rules out forklifts, cardboard balers, commercial meat slicers, and power-driven mowers and trimmers.10U.S. Department of Labor. Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor Manufacturing, mining, construction, roofing, warehouse loading-dock work, and any of the 17 hazardous occupations designated by the Secretary of Labor are also prohibited. Driving is not permitted at this age, and neither is working as a helper on a motor vehicle.1U.S. Department of Labor. Fact Sheet 43 – Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act for Nonagricultural Occupations
Food service has its own set of tight rules. At 15 you can use an electric or gas grill that doesn’t involve an open flame, and a deep fryer only if it has an automatic basket that raises and lowers food without you reaching into the oil. All baking is off limits, including convection ovens, pizza ovens, and microwaves unless the microwave is used solely to warm prepared food and can’t heat above 140°F.11U.S. Department of Labor. Fact Sheet 58 – Cooking and Baking Under the Federal Youth Employment Provisions of Fair Labor Standards Act If a manager asks you to do something outside these limits, that’s a violation on the employer’s side, not yours.