What Is Required for a Work Permit for Teens?
Work permits help to protect young worker's from being taken advantage of in the job market. They guarantee that minors get paid a fair wage, work in a safe environment and cannot be overworked. Youths can obtain work permits through the state or their school guidance counselor, though there are some requirements in order to do so.
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Job Type
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Minors may not work with heavy equipment. Before teens can apply for a work permit, they must have been offered a job. This is because the details of the job will determine if they may be issued a permit. If the job requires operating heavy equipment, working with explosives, working in a mine, or doing certain types of manufacturing, teens will not be issued a permit.
Age
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The age requirements for a work permit vary by job. Anyone over the age of 16 may work unlimited hours. Minors between the ages of 14 and 15 have restrictions on the amount of time they may work in a non-agricultural job when school is in session, and anyone under 15 may only work in an agricultural job when school is not in session.
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Location
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Not every state in the United States requires a work permit. All though the United States Department of Labor does not require that teenage workers have a work permit or age certificate, many states do. In fact, every state except Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming require that minors provide their employer with a worker's permit. Each state has specific provisions on when a certificate is required; speak to the teen's guidance counselor if you are unsure of your state's laws.
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