North Dakota Child Labor Laws 2024

Child labor laws on North Dakota and <a href="/federal/child-labor-laws">Federal</a> levels exist to prevent the exploitation of minors for labor, and ensure that education is prioritized over work. Limitations on child labor vary by age, and may include restrictions on the types of work that can be done, maximum hours that may be worked, and limitations on late or overnight work.

Regulation of child labor may include the use of Employment Certificates issued by the minor's school or the state Labor Department, and/or an Age Certification document that verifies the minor's age for work purposes. This page details North Dakota's child labor law regulations.

Mandatory Employment & Age Certification for Minors

Employment Certificates in North Dakota

Employment Certificates, also known as Work Permits, are mandatory in North Dakota for minors under 16. The certificate must be acquired by the minor and presented to their employer to verify their ability to work before they are hired.

Acquiring a North Dakota Employment Certificate:

In North Dakota, Employment Certificates for minors are issued by the North Dakota Department of Labor. An Employment Certificate will be issued if the minor meets all of the state's criteria for employment.

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Age Certification in North Dakota

Age certification is a process through which minors provide proof of their age to a prospective employer, which helps ensure that all child labor laws mandated for their age bracket are followed.

Age certification is not required under North Dakota law, but it is common practice that agencies will provide certification on request for minors 16 and over.

Acquiring an Age Certificate in North Dakota:

Under North Dakota law, age certification for minors is carried out by the North Dakota Department of Labor.

Minor Working Hour Restrictions in North Dakota

Minors who are authorized to work in North Dakota are subject to restrictions on when they can work, and how many hours they can work. The exact restrictions in effect depend on the age of the minor, and are designed to ensure that work does not interfere with the minor's schooling.

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Maximum Hours of Work for Minors

Working hour restrictions limit how many hours a minor may work per day, and per week.

For Minors Under 16:

8 hours of work per day, 40 per week, 6 days out of the week are permitted when school is off. During a school week, 3 hours of work are permitted per day and up to 18 hours per week if not exempted from school attendance.

For Minors Ages 16 and 17:

North Dakota has no restrictions on maximum working hours for minors aged 16 and 17.

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Nightwork Restrictions for Minors

Nightwork restrictions set limits on how late a minor can legally work.

For Minors Under 16:

Work is prohibited during these hours: 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

For Minors Ages 16 and 17:

North Dakota has no restrictions on nightwork for minors aged 16 and 17.

Special Child Labor Laws in North Dakota

In addition to laws requiring work certificates or age verification for general employment of minors, most states have special regulations governing the employment of minors in agriculture (such as farm work and harvesting), and the entertainment industry (including child actors, models, and performers).

To learn about these special child labor laws in North Dakota, see the following pages.

• Entertainment Industry Child Labor Laws in North Dakota
• Agricultural Child Labor Laws in North Dakota

On a Federal level, child labor is regulated under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Minors and students may additionally be subject to special labor law regulations regarding minimum wage, meal and break periods while working, and more.

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