How many hours can a 14 year old work in Louisiana during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 14-year-old in Louisiana can work up to 8 hr per day and 40 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 21:00.

Does a 14 year old need a work permit in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana requires a work permit for 14-year-olds. The minor obtains an offer of employment from the prospective employer, then applies for the Employment Certificate at their school. A parent or guardian must sign. The certificate is job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer. The school forwards a copy to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

LA · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 14 year old do in Louisiana?

Q: What jobs can a 14 year old do in Louisiana?

Yes — a 14-year-old can work in Louisiana with the following limits during the school year: 3 hr per school day, 18 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 19:00. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 14-year-olds in Louisiana — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Louisiana state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-27

Quick answer

Can a 14-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Louisiana sets different hour caps depending on whether school is in session.

During the school year

Hours per school day: 3 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 18 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 19:00

No work during school hours.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 40 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 21:00

Summer hours apply when public schools are not in session.

Common allowed jobs for a 14-year-old

General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. Louisiana adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.

Retail cashier or sales clerk (with Louisiana Employment Certificate)
Louisiana requires a job-specific Employment Certificate for every minor 14-17. The minor obtains an offer of employment, then applies through their local school district with a parent or guardian's signature; the school forwards a copy to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The certificate must be reissued for each new employer.
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
Louisiana caps 14-15-year-olds at 3 hrs per school day, 18 per school week, 7 AM–7 PM during the school year (9 PM when public schools are not in session).
Office or clerical work — filing, data entry, reception
Tutoring younger students
Park, recreation, or community-center program assistant
Hand-tool yard work for neighbors
Power-driven mowers, weed-whackers, and chainsaws stay 16+ under federal HO-6 / HO-12.
Newspaper delivery on a regular route
Federal FLSA carve-out at 29 USC § 213(d).

Restricted in Louisiana

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16 without adult supervision(La. R.S. 23:213)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18(La. R.S. 26:90)

Other ages in Louisiana

Same age, other states

Read the full Louisiana rules

This page summarizes the rules for 14-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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