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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in California can work up to 8 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 00:30.

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

Yes. California requires a work permit for 17-year-olds. Employer signs the Statement of Intent; the minor's school issues the Permit to Work. Required every school year and for each new job.

CA · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in California?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in California with the following limits during the school year: 4 hr per school day, 48 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 22:00. Work permit required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 17-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 12+

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per school day: 4 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 22:00

Until 12:30 AM on evenings preceding a non-school day.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 00:30

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work with a B1-1 Permit to Work
California still requires the B1-1 Permit to Work for every minor under 18 (Labor Code § 1290). Same 16-17 caps: 4 hrs per school day, 48 hrs per week, until 10 PM on school nights (12:30 AM before non-school days).
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)
Power-driven yard tools and lawn-care work
HO-6 (power mowers, weed-whackers) and HO-12 (chainsaws) lift at 16; 17-year-olds may run a full lawn-care side business with no federal HO blocks on hand-held equipment.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — server, host, bell, valet (no alcohol service)
California Business & Professions Code § 25663 bars on-premises alcohol service under 18. Full kitchen and front-of-house tasks not involving alcohol are open.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
California allows 17-year-olds to participate in registered apprenticeship programs (CA Labor Code § 3077). HO-16 roofing and HO-2 driving still bar minors under 18 from those specific tasks.
Acting, TV, or theatrical work with a CA Entertainment Work Permit
Time-on-set cap holds at 10 hrs/day (school day) under 8 CCR § 11760. SAG-AFTRA contracts treat 17-year-olds as adults for most union-negotiated terms but the state Coogan trust rules continue until 18.

Restricted in California

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16(CA Labor Code §1308.1)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Excavation operations(HO-17)

Other ages in California

Same age, other states

Read the full California 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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