Understanding Work Permits

A work permit is a legal document required by the state of California that allows a person under 18 years of age (minor) to hold a job. An employer who hires a minor must have a work permit on file at the business site before the minor may start the job. An employer risks getting a fine (like a traffic ticket) from the California Labor Department inspector if no work permit is on file for a minor employee. In the same way that not all drivers who speed on the freeways receive tickets, not all employers who forget or do not keep work permits for minor employees on file are fined. But, just as the threat of receiving a traffic ticket makes you want to obey the speed laws, the cost and trouble of receiving a Labor Department violation makes most employers want to obey the laws.

Obtaining A Work Permit

You can get a work permit application from the College and Career Center during the school year and the front administrative office during the summer. After you get the work permit application, fill out the personal information in the top section (name, address, social security number, date of birth). Next, have a supervisor at your new job fill out the center section with the name of the company, address, workers’ compensation insurance, etc. Finally, have your parent or legal guardian sign it. Return the work permit application to the same school office you received it from for processing. You must take the work permit to your new supervisor before your first day of work.

Age Requirement For A Work Permit

In most cases students must be at least 14 years of age to get a work permit. Infants to 17-year-old can get an “entertainment work permit” to work in the movies, on television, or do modeling. Other than this, workers under 14 years of age may do babysitting, yard work and paper routes, which do not require work permits. Although 14 and 15-year-old kids may get work permits, most employers will not hire students under the age of 16. This is because the Workers’ compensation insurance usually does not cover workers under age 16. Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance employers are legally required to have that helps pay medical bills when an employee gets injured on the job.

Maintaining A Work Permit

Requiring work permits for minors ensures that they stay in school and have parent or guardian permission to have a job. Without school attendance or permission from a parent or guardian, no work permit may be issued if a student drops out of school; however, a work permit may still be obtained if the minor enrolls in continuation school, adult school, ROP (Regional Occupational Program), or community college classes. Talk to the College and Career Center Advisor or principal at the nearest public high school to find out more information about work permits for dropouts.

Expiration Date of a Work Permit

Each time a minor is hired for a new job, a new work permit must be obtained and given to the employer. In addition, all work permits expire shortly after school starts in August. Therefore, even if you still work at the same job from last school year, you must get a new work permit application approved for the new school year. This requirement is in place because California lawmakers wanted to ensure that all working minors return to school.

Maximum Work Hours

Workers who are ages 14 and 15 may work 3 hours on a school day, 8 hours on a non school day, and no more than 18 hours per week during the school year. They may work no latter than 7 P.M.

Workers who are ages 16 and 17 may work 4 hours on a school day, 8 hours on a non school day, and no more than 48 hours per week during the school year. School districts are allowed to limit the total to 20 hours per week if they feel this would be best for their students). They may work no later than 10:00 p.m. on a school night, and no later than 12:30 a.m. on a night before a non school day (such as Friday and Saturday nights.) There are exceptions to the rules for workers ages 16 and 17. If these workers are in a Work Experience Program or ROP/ CVE classes, they must be issued work permits that allow them to work more hours on a school day, more hours during the week, and work past 10:00 p.m. on a school night.

When to Revoke a Work Permit

A work permit can be canceled and taken away at any time by a California Labor Department inspector if he or she feels it is not in the best interest of the student to work at the job site. In addition, a work permit can be canceled at a parent or guardian's request. Finally, a work permit can be canceled by the issuing authority (person who signed the work permit at the school) based on grades, or attendance, or suspicion of unsafe job site.