How many hours can a 16 year old work in Louisiana during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Louisiana can work up to No state limit per day and No state limit per week, time window No state limit.

Does a 16 year old need a work permit in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana requires a work permit for 16-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 16 year old do in Louisiana?

Q: What jobs can a 16 year old do in Louisiana?

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Louisiana with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window No state limit. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 16-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 16-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 day: No state limit
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: No state limit

Louisiana imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds (Act 364, 2024 removed the prior 11:00 PM school-night curfew). Federal FLSA also has no hour cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: No state limit
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: No state limit

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive Louisiana update: Act 364 of 2024 removed the prior 11 PM school-night curfew on 16-17-year-olds, leaving no state hour or time-of-day restriction for this age group. Federal FLSA also has no hour cap for non-hazardous work at this age. The Employment Certificate is still required.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
Sale or service of alcohol stays off-limits until 18 under La. R.S. 26:90.
Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk
Park, recreation, and camp staff
Warehouse jobs without power-driven hoists (HO-7) or forklifts
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles

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 16-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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