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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

No. Tennessee does not require a state-issued work permit for 16-year-olds. Employers must keep proof of age on file.

TN · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Tennessee?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Tennessee with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window 06:00 – 22:00. Work permit not required.

Quick answer for 16-year-olds in Tennessee — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Tennessee state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 16-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Not required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Tennessee 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: 06:00 – 22:00

No state hour cap, but 16-17-year-olds may not work between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM on nights preceding a school day. Up to midnight with written parental consent.

Summer / school breaks

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

Time-of-day restrictions lift on non-school nights; federal FLSA has no cap for this age group.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Tennessee imposes no state hour cap on 16-17-year-olds, but bars work between 10 PM and 6 AM on nights preceding a school day (up to midnight with written parental consent).
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
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 Tennessee

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(T.C.A. §50-5-107)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18(T.C.A. §57-3-406)

Other ages in Tennessee

Same age, other states

Read the full Tennessee 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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