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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Ohio can work up to No state limit per day and No state limit per week, time window 06:00 – 01:00.

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

Yes. Ohio requires a work permit for 17-year-olds. The minor obtains a Pledge of Employment from the prospective employer, then applies at their school's administrative office with proof of age, a physician's certificate of physical fitness, and parent or guardian consent. The certificate is job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer.

OH · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Ohio?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Ohio with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window 07:00 – 23:00. Work permit required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 17-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Ohio 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: 07:00 – 23:00

No state hour cap, but 16-17-year-olds may not work past 11:00 PM on a school night or before 7:00 AM on a school day. Up to 1:00 AM and from 6:00 AM with written parental consent on non-school nights.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: No state limit
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: 06:00 – 01:00

Time-of-day restrictions relax during school breaks; federal FLSA has no hour cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work (with OH Age and Schooling Certificate, Form 1-IM-2)
Ohio still requires the Age and Schooling Certificate for every minor under 18, and it remains job-specific — a new certificate is needed for each new employer through age 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
Work in or around freezers and meat coolers stays restricted for every minor under 18 in Ohio — a state rule that holds through age 17.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (no alcohol service)
Ohio Revised Code § 4301.22 keeps the on-premises alcohol-service age at 18. 17-year-olds may host and bus tables but not pour or serve alcoholic beverages.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Ohio allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council. HO-16 roofing and HO-2 on-road driving stay barred for minors under 18.
Office, data-entry, internship, and customer-support roles

Restricted in Ohio

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16 without adult supervision(OAC 4101:9-2-08)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Working in or around freezers and meat coolers(ORC §4109.06)

Other ages in Ohio

Same age, other states

Read the full Ohio 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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