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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Virginia can work up to No state limit per day and No state limit per week, time window No state limit.

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

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

VA · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Virginia?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Virginia with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window — – 00:00. Work permit not required.

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

Virginia 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: — – 00:00

Virginia imposes no state weekly hour cap on 16-17-year-olds. Minors under 18 may not work past midnight without parental consent.

Summer / school breaks

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

No state hour limit during school breaks; federal FLSA has no cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work — no state permit required
Virginia drops the Employment Certificate at 16; through age 17 the employer keeps proof of age on file instead. The state-wide 14-15 hour cap lifts at 16.
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)
Virginia Code § 4.1-225 sets the minimum age to sell or serve beer and wine at 18; spirituous-liquor service stays 21+. 17-year-olds may host and bus but not serve alcohol.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Virginia allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the VA Department of Labor and Industry. 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 Virginia

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(VA Code §40.1-100.1)
Tobacco-products sales for minors under 16(VA Code §40.1-100)

Other ages in Virginia

Same age, other states

Read the full Virginia 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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