Washington Child Labor Laws 2024
Contents :: Washington Child Labor Law
Child labor laws on Washington 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 Washington's child labor law regulations.
Mandatory Employment & Age Certification for Minors
Employment Certificates in Washington
Employment Certificates, also known as Work Permits, are mandatory in Washington for minors under 18. 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 Washington Employment Certificate:
In Washington, Employment Certificates for minors are issued by the Washington Department of Labor. An Employment Certificate will be issued if the minor meets all of the state's criteria for employment.
Age Certification in Washington
While some states require working minors to provide their employers with an age certification document, this is not required for minors who wish to work in Washington. Employers are expected to identify minors whom they employ and ensure that their employment is in compliance with all Federal and state child labor restrictions.
Minor Working Hour Restrictions in Washington
Minors who are authorized to work in Washington 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.
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 hours per week up to 6 days a week are permitted when school is off. During a school week, 3 hours of work are permitted per school day (8 hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and up to 16 hours per week.
For Minors Ages 16 and 17:
8 hours of work per day, 48 per week, 6 days out of the week are permitted.
During a schoolweek, up to 4 hours may be worked per schoolday (8 Friday, Saturday and Sunday), and up to 20 hours per week. 6 hours per day and up to 28 hours per week may be worked with a special variance agreed to by parent, employer, student and school.
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. from June 1st to Labor Day) to 7 a.m. After 8 p.m. all minors must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace.
For Minors Ages 16 and 17:
Work is prohibited during these hours: 10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday (midnight Friday and Saturday and when school is not in session) to 7 a.m. (5 a.m. when school is not in session). 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. in door-to-door sales. After 8 p.m. all minors must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace.
Special Child Labor Laws in Washington
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 Washington, see the following pages.
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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