Work Permit

Steps in obtaining a Work Permit:

1. Click here for the Work Permit Application Form OR request a copy from workpermit@k12insightca.org.

2. Receive an offer of employment

3. Complete student, school, parent, and employer section with all required information and signatures. School Information: Insight School of California, Insight @ San Diego, or Insight @ San Joaquin. Phone- 805-581-0202, 50 Moreland Rd., Simi Valley, CA 93065 

4. Employer and parent sign form with pen!

5. Submit completed form by email to workpermit@k12insightca.org  

6. Receive completed Work Permit by email

7. Work Permits are processed Tuesday-Thursday 

For work permit status, email workpermit@k12insightca.org 

• If I’ve graduated from high school or passed the GED or CPP, do I need a work permit?

  • Once a minor is no longer subject to the state’s compulsory education laws, he/she is not considered a minor for purposes of the state’s child labor laws (labor code 1286[c]). Therefore, a high school graduate does not require a permit and may work in any occupation.

    • When an employer hires someone under 18 years old who has graduated, the document verifying their graduation status must be given to the employer as proof that no work permit is required.

•  Can I start working when my employer signs the Request for Work Permit?

  • No, you must have the work permit issued first before you can begin working.

• What ages are required to have a work permit?

  • Any student under the age of 18 who has not graduated from high school must have a work permit on file. 

• Are work permits required during the summer?

  • Yes. According to California Labor Code Section 1299 and Education Code Section 49160, work permits are required for California working minors. 

  • Labor and education codes apply during all seasons and times of year, even during the summer months or school breaks. 

• If I have more than one job, do I need more than one work permit?

  • Yes, you will need a separate work permit for each job that you hold. 

Yes, the work permit can be cancelled and taken away at any time by a high school administrator. In addition, a work permit can be cancelled at a parent's request with good reason. Good reasons for canceling a work permit include: 

• The job does not fit the legal requirements for minors

• The hours scheduled create a truancy or absence problem for the student

• The demands of the job are causing student to fail classes at school

• A teacher may request a Work Permit be cancelled before the next grade check if a student is not attending school or completing class-work. 

Eligibility will be verified after each grading period and the work permit will be revoked if GPA drops below 2.0, attendance becomes unstable or student withdraws from school. 

If a student’s work permit is revoked, employer will be notified to terminate employment. 

• A minor must obtain a work permit for each job. A work permit is no longer valid when a minor quits or leaves a job. A new work permit application must be filled out for each new job. In addition, all work permits in the state of California expire five days after the opening of school in the fall. 

  • This is to insure that all minors report to school in the fall before continuing to work after summer vacation. 

• Therefore, if a minor obtained a job and work permit in June and still had that same job in September, the work permit would expire. The minor would need to obtain a new work permit for the new school year even though it was for the same continuing job.

• Minors under 18 years of age must attend school to get a work permit. 

• If a student graduates from high school before age 18, he or she no longer needs a work permit. 

• When an employer hires someone under 18 years old who has graduated, the document verifying that fact must be given to the employer as proof that no work permit is required.

Ages 16 – 17:

• When school is in session: Daily maximum 4 hours, Monday through Thursday. May work up to 8 hours on any nonschool day or on any day that precedes a nonschool day. May be permitted to work up to 40 hours per week.

• When school is not in session: May work up to 48 hours per week but no more than 8 hours in any one day.

• Work must be performed no earlier than 5:00 a.m. nor later than 10:00 p.m. except that work may extend to 12:30 a.m. on nights preceding non-school days. 

Ages 14 – 15:

• When school is in session: On school days, daily maximum 3 hours. On non-schooldays may work 8 hours. Weekly maximum 18 hours. 

• When school is not in session: Daily maximum 8 hours and weekly maximum 40 hours.

• May not work during public school hours.  

• Work must be performed no earlier than 7:00 a.m. nor later than 7:00 p.m. any day of the week. From June 1 to Labor Day work hours may be extended to 9:00 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT WORK PERMIT APPLICATIONS:

1. Minors employed in motion pictures, commercials, theater, television, musical performances, rodeos, or modeling require an Entertainment Work Permit. The application can be obtained from the local office of the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, DLSE internet address, or workpermit@k12insightca.org. The parent or guardian completes the requested information on the form and sends the application to the ISCA Simi Valley Office at 50 Moreland Road Simi Valley, CA 93065 for processing. It will take 1 to 3 school days after the arrival of the application to process and return by US mail.

2. The form may also be faxed to 805.581.6102 or emailed to workpermit@k12insightca.org. Faxed or emailed applications should not have the Parent's signature on the form. DLSE requires Original Signatures on applications. The school signature and stamp will be original when returned to the parent to sign and mail to a DLSE office for the permit.

3. When emailing an online watermarked application for processing, indicate you are applying directly to the State for the work permit. The completed application will be emailed back to you.

4. Same-day walk-in permits can be obtained from DLSE VAN NUYS ENTERTAINMENT WORK PERMIT OFFICE 6151 Van Nuys Blvd, Rm 100, Van Nuys, CA 91401, (818) 901-5484.

5. A student must have a 2.00 GPA with no F’s on their last REPORT CARD, PROGRESS REPORT, or TRANSCRIPT for new students (exceptions will be made for students completing credit recovery courses with additive grading policies and making adequate progress at the time the progress report is issued). If a student’s Academic and Attendance Standards are below eligibility standards, the application will be returned as marked “Does Not Meet the District’s Requirements and Permit Should Not Be Issued”. Watermarked applications will have either Attendance or Academics sections marked “Insufficient” and a permit will not be issued. A teacher may also request an Entertainment Work Permit be canceled before renewal if a student is not attending regularly or making academic progress.