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

During summer or school breaks, a 14-year-old in New Mexico 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 New Mexico?

Yes. New Mexico requires a work permit for 14-year-olds. Minors 14-15 apply for an Age Certificate through the NM Department of Workforce Solutions online portal. The minor provides proof of age and parental consent; the certificate is issued electronically and kept on file by the employer. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a certificate.

NM · age-by-state job guide

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

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

Yes — a 14-year-old can work in New Mexico 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 New Mexico — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from New Mexico state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

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

Legal work hours

New Mexico 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

Mirrors federal FLSA. 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 June 1 through Labor Day; evening cutoff extends to 9:00 PM.

Common allowed jobs for a 14-year-old

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

Retail cashier or sales clerk (with NM Employment Permit)
Distinctive New Mexico rule: minors 14-15 must obtain an Employment Permit (Form WPS-32) from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NM DWS) before starting work. The parent and the employer both sign; NM DWS verifies school enrollment before issuing.
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
New Mexico 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 Mexico

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(NMSA §50-6-3)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 19(NMSA §60-7B-1)

Other ages in New Mexico

Same age, other states

Read the full New Mexico 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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