How many hours can a 17 year old work in Arkansas during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Arkansas can work up to 10 hr per day and 54 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 00:00.

Does a 17 year old need a work permit in Arkansas?

No. Arkansas does not require a state-issued work permit for 17-year-olds. Employers must keep proof of age on file.

AR · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Arkansas?

Q: What jobs can a 17 year old do in Arkansas?

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Arkansas with the following limits during the school year: 10 hr per school day, 54 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 23:00. Work permit not required.

Quick answer for 17-year-olds in Arkansas — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Arkansas state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 17-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Not required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 54 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 23:00

Daily cap of 10 hours and weekly cap of 54 hours during the school year. 11:00 PM school-night curfew.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 54 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 00:00

Up to midnight on nights not preceding a school day. Weekly cap remains 54 hours.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work — no state permit required
Arkansas Act 195 of 2023 (the Youth Hiring Act) eliminated the under-16 Employment Certificate requirement statewide; 17-year-olds also need no state permit. The employer keeps age verification on file; the Arkansas Department of Labor enforces remaining child-labor rules via complaint and inspection. The state 10/54 hr cap and 11 PM school-night curfew continue at 17.
Cooking, baking, and short-order line work with grills, fryers, and HO-11 bakery equipment
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, beach, or natural-water venue (with valid certification)
Warehouse and stockroom work without HO-7 power-driven hoists or HO-2 driving
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (no alcohol service)
Distinctive Arkansas rule continues at 17: A.C.A. § 3-3-218 sets the minimum age to sell or serve alcoholic beverages at 19 — stricter than the typical 18 floor in most states. 17-year-olds (and 18-year-olds) may host, bus, and run food but cannot serve alcohol until 19.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Arkansas allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Arkansas Office of Skills Development. HO-16 roofing and HO-2 on-road driving remain barred for minors under 18.
Office, data-entry, internship, and customer-support roles

Restricted in Arkansas

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(A.C.A. §11-6-110)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 19(A.C.A. §3-3-218)

Other ages in Arkansas

Same age, other states

Read the full Arkansas rules

This page summarizes the rules for 17-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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