CT· State teen labor law
Connecticut teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Connecticut takes one of the strictest stances in New England: 14-15-year-olds may generally only work when school is not in session, and 16-17-year-olds are capped at 32 hours per school week. Job-specific working papers are required for every minor under 18.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Connecticut tightens daily and weekly limits while school is in session, then eases them during summer and school breaks. Each age band below shows both calendars side-by-side — a distinction federal summaries and most state-comparison tables skip.
Ages 14–15
School year
When school is in session
- Max hours per day
- Not permitted
- Max hours per week
- Not permitted
- Time window
- No state limit
Note: Connecticut restricts general employment for 14-15-year-olds to a narrow list of approved jobs (recreation, agriculture, retail with limits) and only when school is not in session. Most employers cannot hire this age group during the school year.
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 40 hr
- Time window
- 07:00 – 21:00
Note: Summer hours apply from the last day of school in June through Labor Day for the approved job categories.
Ages 16–17
School year
When school is in session
- Hrs/day (school day)
- 6 hr
- Hrs/day (Sat / Sun / holiday)
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 32 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 23:00
Note: School-week cap of 32 hours (6 hours on a school day, 8 on a non-school day). In mercantile/restaurant work, may extend to 11:00 PM on Friday-Saturday and to midnight on nights not preceding a school day.
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 48 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 00:00
Note: Up to midnight during the summer (June 1 through Labor Day) in mercantile establishments.
Work permit
Connecticut requires a work permit for minors aged 14–17.
The minor obtains a Promise of Employment from the prospective employer, then applies at their school issuing officer's office with proof of age and a parent or guardian's signature. Working papers are job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer. Mercantile establishments use Form ED-301; manufacturing and mechanical use Form ED-302.
Form: Working Papers (Form ED-301 or ED-302)
Restricted occupations
All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17
Federal: 29 CFR Part 570
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines
Federal: HO-10
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof
Federal: HO-16
Manufacturing employment for minors under 16
State: Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-23
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16
State: Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-23a
See the full federal hazardous orders (HO-1 to HO-17) for plain-English summaries and cross-state additions.
Where these rules come from
State code: Connecticut General Statutes §§ 31-12 to 31-23a (Employment of Minors)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/wagehour/MinorsAtWork.htm
Informational only — verify with the Connecticut Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Connecticut?
- Connecticut's minimum work age is 14, so general employment for a 14-year-old is not permitted under state rules. Narrow exceptions (agriculture, family business, entertainment with a special permit) may still apply — verify with the Connecticut Department of Labor.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Connecticut?
- Connecticut does not permit general employment for a 15-year-old when school is in session under state rules. The state's minimum work age is 14.
- Does Connecticut require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — Connecticut requires a work permit for minors aged 14-17 (form: Working Papers (Form ED-301 or ED-302)). The minor obtains a Promise of Employment from the prospective employer, then applies at their school issuing officer's office with proof of age and a parent or guardian's signature. Working papers are job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer. Mercantile establishments use Form ED-301; manufacturing and mechanical use Form ED-302.
- How many hours can a 16-year-old work during summer in Connecticut?
- During summer or school breaks, Connecticut allows a 16-year-old to work up to 8 hours per school day, up to 48 hours per week, between 06:00 and 00:00. 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 Connecticut?
- Connecticut prohibits minors from a number of hazardous occupations, including: all federal hazardous orders ho-1 through ho-17; operating power-driven meat-processing machines; roofing operations and work on or about a roof. The full list of federal hazardous orders (HO-1 through HO-17) also applies. See the Connecticut General Statutes §§ 31-12 to 31-23a (Employment of Minors) citation on this page for the statutory source.