Maine Child Labor Poster

14 and 15 year olds may work in most businesses, except in 
occupations declared hazardous and jeopardize their health, 
well-being or educational opportunities. 16 and 17 year olds 
may work in most businesses, however not in hazardous jobs. 
These provisions also provide limited exemptions. Contact the 
Bureau of Labor Standards for details. 
Work Permits
  •  All  minors under 16 years of age need work permits in    
order to work. 
  • Superintendent of schools certify academic standing. 
  • Minor allowed only one permit during the school year    
  but two during summer vacation. 
  • Minor cannot work until permit is approved                    
  by Bureau of Labor Standards. 
  •  Employer keeps Bureau-approved permit on file.  
Recordkeeping
All employers must keep accurate payroll records for workers 
under 18. Records must show what time the minor began work, 
total hours worked, and what time the minor finished work each 
day.
Note: 	Maine employers may also be covered under the Federal 
Fair Labor Standards Act. For more information, contact the U.S. 
Department of Labor Wage and Hour Office at  
603-666-7716 or http://youth.dol.gov/. 	
Work Hours 14 and 15 year olds
•  No more than six days in a row. 
•  Cannot work before 7 a.m. 
•  Not after 7 p.m. during school year. 
•  Cannot work after 9 p.m. during summer vacation.
When School Is Not  in Session 
•  No more than 8 hours in any one day (weekend, holiday, 
vacation or workshop). 
•  Not more than 40 hours in a week (school must be out 
entire week).
When School Is  in Session 
•  No more than 3 hours on a school day, including Friday.
•  Not more than 18 hours in a week that school is in 
session one or more days. 
Work Hours 16 and 17 year olds (enrolled in school)	 
•  No more than 6 days in a row. 
•  Cannot work before 7 a.m. on a school day. 
•  Cannot work before 5 a.m. on a non-school day. 
•  Cannot work after 10:15 p.m. the night before a  
school day. 
•  Can work up to midnight when there is no school the 
next day. 
When School Is Not  in Session 
•  No more than 10 hours in any one day (weekend,  
holiday, vacation, or workshop). 
•  No more than 50 hours in a week.
When School Is  in Session 
•  No more than 6 hours on a school day. 
•  No more than 10 hours on any holiday, vacation, or 
workshop day. 
•  On last day of school week, may work up to 8 hours. 
•  No more than 24 hours in a week, except may work 50 
hours any week that approved school calendar is less 
than three days or during the first and last week of school 
calendar. 	
For more information, contact:	
Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards  45 State House Station 
Augusta, Maine 04333-0045 	
Tel: 207-623-7900 or 207-623-7930  TTY users call 	
Maine Relay 711 
Website: www.maine.gov/labor/bls Email: [email protected]	
rev. 11/19	
Child Labor Laws	
Child Labor Laws of the State of Maine provide protection for 
people under the age of 18 in both agricultural and nonagricultural 
jobs.  The Maine Department of Labor administers the laws, which 
all employers must follow. Department representatives inspect 
workplaces to ensure compliance. Citations and penalties may be 
issued to employers who do not comply. 
This poster describes some important parts of the laws. A copy of 
the actual laws and formal interpretations may be obtained from the 
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, by calling (207) 
623-7900. (The laws are also on the Bureau website.)	Maine Law (Title 26, 
M.R.S.A. § 42-B)
requires every employer 
to place this poster in  
the workplace where 
workers can easily see it.	
Bureau  of La bor St andards
 	
This poster is available online at no charge and may be copied:  https://www.maine.gov/labor/posters/	      	
The Maine Department of Labor provides equal opportunity in employment and programs.  
Auxiliary aids and services are available to people with disabilities upon request.