Minor Work Permits

Per Ohio law, work permits are required for all students under the age of 18 who want to work during the school year. Students who are 14–15 years old must have permits to work at any time.

Where to Obtain and File a Permit

Work permits are generally issued by the school the student attends. However, locations change during the summer months:

• August 1 – May 31: Permits are completed at your child’s assigned school office.

• June 1 – July 31: Permits may be picked up and processed at the Miami School (140 Ross Avenue).

Required Documentation

The following four sections must be completed before a permit can be issued. A new permit is required for every new job.

1. Application for Employment Certificate

• The student must complete this section.

• A parent or guardian signature is required.

• Students must be at least 14 years old.

2. Pledge of Employer

• The employer must complete this section.

• Mandatory Info: Exact hours of employment, specific type of work (e.g., "Cashier" rather than "Retail"), and the employer’s Tax ID Number (TIN).

3. School Record of Applicant

• This section is completed by school office personnel to verify enrollment.

• For Charter School students, or students who attend Butler Tech, the school must complete this card as they are the ones who can verify good standing.

• This record remains valid for one year.

4. Physician’s Certificate

• Must be signed by a doctor.

• Note: A current sports physical on file is acceptable if it was completed within the last year.

Special Provisions for Home Education (ORC 3331.04)

Under recent updates to the Ohio Revised Code, the process for home-educated students has changed:

• Ages 16 and 17: Parents of students legally exempt from attendance under ORC 3321.042 are now authorized to act as the issuing officer. The parent may sign the permit in place of the superintendent.

• Ages 14 and 15: Home-educated students in this age bracket must still have their permits processed by the local school district (at the Miami School during summer or the home school during the year).

• Verification: When submitting a permit, home-educated families should provide a copy of their Written Acknowledgement letter from the superintendent to verify their legal status.

Work Permits (Public e-Schools) 

If your child is in an online public school (like OHVA or Connections), they are technically public school students.

• The Issuing Officer: The work permit must be signed by the online school’s superintendent or their designated staff.

• Attendance Tracking: Because online schools are state-funded, they must track attendance. If your child is failing classes or has too many "unexcused absences" (log-in gaps), the school can legally refuse to sign the work permit or even revoke an existing one.

The Process: You typically download the form, have the employer fill out their part, get a physical, and then scan/email it to the online school's office for a digital or mailed signature.

Final Submission

The student must personally bring the completed cards to the appropriate school office. Personnel will enter the data into the State Department of Commerce website and issue the official permit.

Work Permit Pre-Application Form

Physician's Certificate