Teens and Work Permits: Do I Need a Permit to Get a Job?

Are you a teen looking for a job? If you are 14 and over, finding regular hourly employment is allowed under the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA).

Fair Labor Act Standard for Teens

Just because you can legally work doesn't mean you are permitted to work at all types of jobs. The FLSA has some pretty strict guidelines as to the type of jobs teens are allowed to have, and how many hours a teen can work in a day. Before you start job hunting, you many want to check out this link from the US Department of Labor. Here you will learn which are permitted for teens ages 14-18 and which ones are prohibited. The Department of Labor's teen resource page Youth Rules! is also worth checking out for additional information about teen employment.

Employment certificates / Work permits

While the FLSA does not require teens to have a work permit, your state labor office may require it as a condition of working at a job. These work permits, which are also known as an "age certification" or "employment certificate" are required in 42 states. Some of these states require work permits only for teens who are under age 16 while others require permits for teens under 18. The complete table of employment & age certification issuance practice under the state labor laws can be viewed here. Permits can usually be obtained through your school's guidance office.

States that do NOT require a work permit for minors include Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Tennessee. You may, however, be asked to show proof of your age.

Other documents you will need

In addition to a work permit, there will be other documents you will need in order to land a job.

Employers will want to see your social security card which is a small credit card sized piece of paper with a 9 digit number on it. The social security card identifies who you are and allows the Social Security Administration to track your earnings for taxation purposes. Your parents should have signed you up for a social security number when you were still an infant. If the card has been lost, this link to the Social Security Administration will let you order a replacement card. The same link will also work if you have never have been issued a card.

In addition to the social security card, some employers many want to see identification, especially in states that do not require student work permits. Acceptable identification includes anything with your picture on it including student ID, a state ID card, driver's license or passport.

How to fill out a job application

One final tip: Filling out a job application can be a challenge, especially if you have never filled out an application before. This link provides a handy guide, tips and instructions for filling out a job application.