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California Child Labor Law

July 26th, 2006 Posted by Sarah

While looking at the laws pertaining to child labor in various states, I have found that California is one of many states requires an extra step for minors under the age of 18 who wish to work. Minors must get an employment permit if they wish to work in the state of California.

In California, permits to work are issued by the minor’s school. An exception to this is the entertainment industry, where the permit must be issued instead by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Minors who have graduated from high school or who are self employed are exempt from having to get a permit. I also learned that minors engaged in “odd jobs” in private homes – such as babysitting, lawn care or housework – are exempt from the work permit requirements.

California’s law pertaining to the work hours of 14 and 15 year olds is very similar to the federal law. While school is in session, minors of this age may not work during school hours. They are allowed to work up to three hours per day on school days, but this work must be between the hours of 7am and 7pm. The total hours per week must not exceed 18. During the summer months (defined as June 1^st through Labor Day), a 14 or 15 year old minor may work between 7am and 9pm. However, a minor of this age may still work no more than 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day during the summer months.

Unlike the Federal law, the California Child Labor Law does place restrictions on the work hours of 16 and 17 year olds. Minors of this age may only work four hours per day on school days, and up to 8 hours per day on non-school days. The total weekly work hours of a 16 or 17 year old must be less than 48. Work hours for 16 and 17 year olds must be between 5am and 10pm, unless it’s not a school night. On nights preceding non-school days, a minor of this age may work until 12:30am.

California’s law parallel’s the federal law in most aspects regarding the types of work minors are allowed to undertake. Minors who are 14 and 15 are limited to less hazardous duties such as clerical work, sales, clean up work, and food preparation that does not involve significant cooking. All minors under 18 are prohibited from occupations deemed hazardous by federal regulations, such as mining and logging.

The California Complete Labor Law poster provides all of the required state and federal information all on one convenient poster for employees to view.