To get a work permit for minors, a student under eighteen collects proof of age, a description of the job and schedule from the employer, and a parent or guardian’s written consent, then brings everything to a school official — usually a guidance counselor — who reviews the paperwork and signs or issues the permit before the first shift. Federal law does not require the permit itself, but most states do, and where a state rule is stricter than the federal standard, the state rule controls.1U.S. Department of Labor. Employment/Age Certificate
Who Needs One
If you are under eighteen and live in a state that requires a permit, you need one on file before your first day of work. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds face fewer hour restrictions than younger teens but are still barred from hazardous work. Fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds face tight limits on both hours and the kinds of jobs they can take.
The Fair Labor Standards Act itself does not mandate permits. It authorizes age certificates that protect employers from accidentally hiring an underage worker: with a valid certificate on file, the government cannot claim the employer did not know.2eCFR. 29 CFR Part 570 – Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation State law is what usually forces the paperwork.
What to Gather Before You Start
Missing documents are the most common reason a permit stalls. Pull these together before you fill anything out:
- Proof of age. An original birth certificate from a city, county, or state vital records office is preferred in most jurisdictions. A passport or baptismal certificate usually works as a backup. Photocopies are often rejected.
- Employer information. Business name, address, a description of the work you will perform, and your proposed schedule. Many states require this on company letterhead, signed by the employer or a manager.
- Parent or guardian consent. A signed statement from your parent or legal guardian approving the employment. Some states build this into the form; others want a separate signed letter.
- School information. Your current grade level, school name, and sometimes a student ID number so the school can verify enrollment.
- Physical exam, in some states. A handful of states require a doctor’s statement confirming you are physically fit for work, based on an exam within the past twelve months. A school sports physical often counts. Check your state labor department’s website to see whether your state is one of them.
Some states also ask for a Social Security number on the application. If your state’s form requests one and you do not yet have a number, apply through the Social Security Administration before starting the permit process. That step alone can add several weeks.
Who Signs What
Most work permit forms have three sections completed by different people. The order matters, because each signer relies on information from the section before.
Employer Section
The employer usually fills out their portion first. It asks for the business name, physical address, the specific duties you will perform, and the days and hours you will work. Some forms are pre-printed for this; in other states the employer supplies a separate intent-to-employ letter on company letterhead. Either way, the proposed schedule must stay within the hour limits for your age group. If the employer writes hours that violate federal or state caps, the issuing officer will reject the form.
Parent or Guardian Section
Your parent or legal guardian signs next, confirming they have reviewed the job description and schedule and consent to the employment. Enter your full legal name, home address, and contact information exactly as they appear on school records. Mismatches trigger delays. Include a phone number and email so the issuing officer has a way to reach your family with questions.
School Official Section
A guidance counselor or principal fills out the final section after reviewing your attendance and academic record. You may need to appear in person at the guidance office with your parent or guardian present, because many jurisdictions require the minor to sign the permit in front of the issuing officer.1U.S. Department of Labor. Employment/Age Certificate Bring your proof of age, the completed employer section, and your parent’s signed consent when you go. The official checks that the proposed job and hours are legal for your age and that your grades and attendance are in good standing, then either signs the form or issues a separate work permit certificate.
After the Permit Is Issued
Turnaround varies. Some schools process permits the same day if you bring everything at once. Others take a few business days, especially at the start of summer when demand spikes. Once issued, deliver the original to your employer before your first shift. The employer keeps it on file at the workplace as the document that proves they verified your age and obtained proper authorization.2eCFR. 29 CFR Part 570 – Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation Keep a copy for yourself.
Changing Jobs
In most states, a work permit is tied to a specific employer and job. If you quit one job and take another, expect to run the process again with a new employer section and a fresh school signature. A few states issue a general age certificate that covers any employment, but that is the exception.
If Grades or Attendance Slip
A work permit is not permanent. Schools in many states can suspend or revoke a permit if your grades drop or your attendance falls off after you start working. The typical process involves a warning period: the school notifies you and your employer, gives you a chance to bring your performance back up, and revokes the permit only if the problem persists. Losing a permit means you stop working until the academic issue is fixed and you reapply.
Turning Eighteen
Once you reach eighteen, federal child labor restrictions and permit requirements end. Most state requirements also expire at eighteen, though a small number of states set the cutoff at a different age for certain industries. From then on, standard adult employment rules apply and no school release is needed.
Limits the Permit Does Not Override
A signed permit authorizes employment. It does not authorize any work the law otherwise forbids. Federal caps on hours for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds apply in every state, regardless of what the permit says:
- No more than 3 hours on a school day.
- No more than 18 hours in a school week.
- No more than 8 hours on a non-school day.
- No more than 40 hours in a non-school week.
- No work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, when the evening cutoff extends to 9:00 p.m.
These caps come from the FLSA’s youth employment provisions.3U.S. Department of Labor. Non-Agricultural Jobs – 14-15 Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds have no federal hour limits but remain subject to state caps, which vary.
No one under eighteen may work in an occupation the Secretary of Labor has declared hazardous. Seventeen Hazardous Occupation Orders cover jobs in mining, logging, roofing, wrecking and demolition, and work with explosives or radioactive materials, along with equipment likely to come up in a first job: driving on public roads, power-driven meat slicers (including the ones in restaurant kitchens and delis), commercial dough mixers and sheeters, forklifts and other hoisting equipment, and power-driven woodworking machines.4U.S. Department of Labor. Fact Sheet 43 – Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act for Nonagricultural Occupations No school official can sign around these prohibitions.
Where to Get the Form
The fastest route is usually your school’s guidance office, which stocks blank forms and can walk you through the process in person. When school is not in session, check your state labor department’s website. Many states now offer downloadable forms or fully online applications where you, your parent, and your employer each complete your sections digitally. The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a directory of every state’s age-certificate requirements and contact information, which is a good starting point if you are not sure what your state requires.1U.S. Department of Labor. Employment/Age Certificate Most states charge no fee for the permit itself, though a few jurisdictions charge a small processing fee.