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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Rhode Island can work up to 9 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 00:30.

Does a 17 year old need a work permit in Rhode Island?

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

RI · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Rhode Island?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Rhode Island with the following limits during the school year: 9 hr per school day, 48 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 23:30. Work permit not required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-27

Quick answer

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

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 9 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 23:30

Daily cap of 9 hours, weekly cap of 48 hours. Up to 11:30 PM on nights not preceding a school day. Maximum 6 days per week.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 9 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 00:30

Up to 12:30 AM during the summer.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work — no state permit required at 16-17
Rhode Island's Special Limited Permit applies only to 14-15-year-olds. At 17, the employer keeps age verification on file; RI caps 17-year-olds at 9 hrs per day and 48 hrs per week under R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-9; not after 11:30 PM on school nights or 1:30 AM on non-school nights — stricter than the federal floor.
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 (no industrial laundries)
Distinctive Rhode Island rule continues at 17: R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-1 publishes a state hazardous-occupations list barring under-18 work in industrial laundries, power-driven woodworking beyond federal HO-5 carve-outs, and certain construction trades — stricter than the federal HO list.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (no alcohol service)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-7-22 sets the alcohol-server age at 18 (typical floor). 17-year-olds may host, bus, and run food but cannot serve any alcohol until 18; bartending in a licensed establishment requires 21.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Rhode Island allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) Apprenticeship Council. HO-16 roofing and HO-2 on-road driving remain barred for minors under 18; the § 28-3-1 state HO list adds further restrictions on industrial laundries and certain construction trades.
Office, data-entry, internship, and customer-support roles

Restricted in Rhode Island

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(RI Gen Laws §28-3-1)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18(RI Gen Laws §3-8-11.1)

Other ages in Rhode Island

Same age, other states

Read the full Rhode Island 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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