CA· State teen labor law
California teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
California requires a work permit for every minor under 18 and sets some of the strictest school-night hour caps in the country. Permits are renewed each school year and reissued for each new employer.
Quick facts
Hour caps by age
Ages 12–13
| School status | Hrs/day (school day) | Hrs/day (non-school) | Hrs/week | Time window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School in session | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted | No state limit |
| School out (summer / breaks) | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted | No state limit |
- School-in-session note
- Generally restricted to limited categories (agriculture with parent, entertainment industry with special permit, newspaper delivery).
- School-out note
- Same exceptions apply year-round; no general employment permitted.
Ages 14–15
| School status | Hrs/day (school day) | Hrs/day (non-school) | Hrs/week | Time window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School in session | 3 hr | 8 hr | 18 hr | 07:00 – 19:00 |
| School out (summer / breaks) | 8 hr | 8 hr | 40 hr | 07:00 – 21:00 |
- School-in-session note
- No work during school hours.
- School-out note
- Between June 1 and Labor Day, evening cutoff extends to 9:00 PM.
Ages 16–17
| School status | Hrs/day (school day) | Hrs/day (non-school) | Hrs/week | Time window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School in session | 4 hr | 8 hr | 48 hr | 05:00 – 22:00 |
| School out (summer / breaks) | 8 hr | 8 hr | 48 hr | 05:00 – 00:30 |
- School-in-session note
- Until 12:30 AM on evenings preceding a non-school day.
Work permit
California requires a work permit for minors aged 12–17.
Employer signs the Statement of Intent; the minor's school issues the Permit to Work. Required every school year and for each new job.
Form: B1-1 Statement of Intent to Employ Minor
Restricted occupations
All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17
Federal: 29 CFR Part 570
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16
State: CA Labor Code §1308.1
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines
Federal: HO-10
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof
Federal: HO-16
Excavation operations
Federal: HO-17
Where these rules come from
State code: CA Labor Code §§ 1285-1312; Education Code §§ 49100-49183
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/dlse-cl.htm
Informational only — verify with the California Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in California?
- Yes — under California law a 14-year-old can work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 18 hours per week, between 07:00 and 19:00. A California work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in California?
- When school is in session, California allows a 15-year-old to work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 18 hours per week, between 07:00 and 19:00. During summer or school breaks the cap rises to up to 8 hours per school day, up to 40 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00.
- Does California require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — California requires a work permit for minors aged 12-17 (form: B1-1 Statement of Intent to Employ Minor). Employer signs the Statement of Intent; the minor's school issues the Permit to Work. Required every school year and for each new job.
- How many hours can a 16-year-old work during summer in California?
- During summer or school breaks, California allows a 16-year-old to work up to 8 hours per school day, up to 48 hours per week, between 05:00 and 00:30. Federal FLSA caps for 16- and 17-year-olds do not limit weekly hours, so the stricter state rule (if any) applies.
- What jobs can a minor not do in California?
- California prohibits minors from a number of hazardous occupations, including: all federal hazardous orders ho-1 through ho-17; door-to-door sales for minors under 16; operating power-driven meat-processing machines. The full list of federal hazardous orders (HO-1 through HO-17) also applies. See the CA Labor Code §§ 1285-1312; Education Code §§ 49100-49183 citation on this page for the statutory source.