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

During summer or school breaks, a 14-year-old in New Hampshire can work up to 8 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 21:00.

Does a 14 year old need a work permit in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire requires a work permit for 14-year-olds. Minors under 16 obtain a Youth Employment Certificate from their school principal. The minor presents the employer's offer plus parental consent. The certificate is job-specific. 16- and 17-year-olds need only a written employer-signed agreement and parental permission on file.

NH · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 14 year old do in New Hampshire?

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

Yes — a 14-year-old can work in New Hampshire with the following limits during the school year: 3 hr per school day, 23 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 21:00. Work permit required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 14-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 12+

Legal work hours

New Hampshire 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: 23 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 21:00

School-week cap of 23 hours (5 more than the federal 18). NH allows a 9:00 PM cutoff vs. federal 7:00 PM.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 21:00

Summer cap of 48 hours per week (8 more than federal).

Common allowed jobs for a 14-year-old

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

Retail cashier or sales clerk
Distinctive New Hampshire rule: NH does not issue a state work permit at any age — the employer keeps the parent's written permission on file under RSA 276-A:4-a. NH ended the state youth-employment-certificate requirement in 2016; the New Hampshire Department of Labor enforces remaining rules via complaint and inspection.
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
New Hampshire 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 June 1–Labor Day) — mirrors the federal floor.
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 New Hampshire

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(RSA 276-A:4)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18(RSA 179:23)

Other ages in New Hampshire

Same age, other states

Read the full New Hampshire 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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