In California, employers must comply with child labor laws when employing minors. A minor is defined as a person under the age of 18.

To employ a minor, the employer must obtain a work permit. This permit must be on file the day the minor starts work. This permit is obtained from minor’s school or school district. According to the CA Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), neither the school nor labor officials is empowered to waive any minimum labor standard established by law or regulation at any time or under any circumstances.

Permits issued during the school year expire five days after the start of the next succeeding school year.

What are limits on a minor’s working hours?

The maximum hours a minor can be employed depends on the age of the minor and whether school is or is not in session. The law also limits the time of day minors can be employed based on the minor’s age. Below is a summary chart provided by the CA DIR.

How do I to obtain a work permit?

To obtain the work permit:

• Complete a Statement to Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for a Work Permit – Form B1-1.
• Next, file this form with the school district where the minor attends school.
• After the school district reviews the application, it will issue a Permit to Employ and Work – Form B1-4. The district will issue a final permit that sets limits on the maximum number of hours or days a minor may work and may also limit the type of work permitted.

For more information, please refer to the Labor Commission’s Child Labor Law booklet.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your payroll representative.