Employment/Age Certificate

January 1, 2020

Historical Table

Select a State:
 

Footnotes:

¹ Table includes both the general certification procedure required by law and those used in practice. Table does not include exceptions to the general procedures; nor does it identify certificates that may be required for employment in street trades, entertainment, or other work for which a special permit may be required.

² Under the columns "For minors of age indicated" an entry of M denotes "Mandated," i.e., the requirement is mandated under State law; R denotes on "Request," i.e., the certificate is not required under State law, but the law directs an administrative agency to issue the certificate on request; P denotes "Practice," i.e., the law makes no requirement, but the State issues the certificate on request.

¹⁸ Alabama . No minor under 18 years of age may be employed in, about, or in connection with any of the following occupations, positions, or places: #3 In tunnels or excavations with depths exceeding four (4) feet. The following occupations in excavation operations are prohibited: Excavating, working in or backfilling (refilling) trenches, except manually excavating or manually backfilling trenches that do not exceed four feet in depth at any point. EXCEPTION - Minors age 16 or older may be issued a permit to work at excavation sites which are less than four (4) feet in depth.

³ Alaska. In addition to individual certificates, employers may obtain advance approval for a specific job consisting of listed duties permitting them to hire minors, of at least 14 years of age, without prior individual approval.

⁴ Florida . Employment or age certificates are not required. However, employers of any minor must obtain and keep on record proof of the child's age. An age certificate issued by the district school board is one method of meeting the proof of age requirement.

⁵ Iowa . Employment and age certificates are issued by both the Iowa Workforce Development Department and the schools.

An employer may require minors 16 or 17 years of age to obtain a work permit.

⁶ Kentucky . Employers of children under age 18 must maintain a proof of age.

⁷ Michigan . A work permit is not required for a minor 16 years or older who has completed the requirements for high school graduation or has obtained a high school equivalency certificate and provided copy of certification to the employer. A work permit is not required for a 17 year old minor who has passed the general education development (GED) test and provided copy of certification to the employer. Certification is now issued by MDE (Department of Education).

⁸ Minnesota . Age certificates are not required. However, employers of any minor must obtain and keep on record proof of the child's age. Age certificates satisfy this requirement as do copies of birth certificates, drivers licenses, and U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service Employment Eligibility Verification Forms I-9.

⁹ Montana . No certificate is required at any age in nonhazardous employment. Since minors under 16 may not work in hazardous employment, certificates for this age category are not deemed necessary.

¹⁰ Nevada . Only certificates issued are those for minors under age 14 with written permission of district judge.

¹¹ New Hampshire . Work certificates are not required for 16- and 17-year-olds. Instead, employers must maintain on file a signed, written document from the youth's parent or legal guardian authorizing the employment. The Department of Safety may issue age certificates to 16- and 17-year-olds

¹² North Carolina . Employment certificates are issued by the Department of Labor both directly and electronically.

¹³ Ohio . Age certificates are not issued, but proof of age is required for minors 16 and 17 years of age for employment during school vacation. With the approval of the Superintendent of Schools of the district where they live, 16- and 17-year-old minors are not required to provide a certificate to be employed at a seasonal amusement or recreational establishment.

¹⁴ Oregon . Minors age 14–17 are not required to obtain work permits. Instead, employers are required to apply for annual certificates to employ these minors.

¹⁵ Tennessee . No certificates are issued. However, employers of minors under age 18 must obtain and keep on file proof of the minor's age. A birth certificate, passport, driver's license, State issued identification, or parent's oath as to the minor's age are acceptable proofs of age under the child labor law.

¹⁶ Wisconsin . Certificates are issued by volunteer permit officers who are representatives of the Department of Workforce Development. Many of the permit officers are school officials, but other public employees such as municipal and county employees and court officials are also included.

¹⁷ Wyoming . Employers of children under age 16 must maintain a proof of age.

Note: N/A indicates "not applicable." "No provision" as an entry under either employment or age certificate indicates that the issuance of such a certificate is unnecessary because another type of certificate covers all minors.

Division of Communications
Wage and Hour Division
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

This document was last revised in January 2020.

The Department of Labor does not administer State laws. Please consult your State's Department of Labor for details on your State's requirements.