FL· State teen labor law
Florida teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Florida loosened child-labor rules in 2024 (HB 49) to let parents waive the weekly hour cap and curfew for 16-17-year-olds during the school year. 14-15-year-olds still cap at 15 hours per school week.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Florida 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
- Hrs/day (school day)
- 3 hr
- Hrs/day (Sat / Sun / holiday)
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 15 hr
- Time window
- 07:00 – 19:00
Note: No work during school hours.
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: Applies during summer vacation (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day) and other school holidays.
Ages 16–17
School year
When school is in session
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 30 hr
- Time window
- 06:30 – 23:00
Note: As of July 2024 (HB 49), a parent or school superintendent can waive the 30-hour weekly cap and the 23:00 curfew for 16-17-year-olds during the school year.
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- No state limit
- Max hours per week
- No state limit
- Time window
- No state limit
Note: No state hour limit on 16-17-year-olds when school is out; federal FLSA also has no hour limit for this age group in non-hazardous work.
Work permit
Florida does not require a state-issued work permit for minors.
Florida does not require a state-issued work permit. Employers must maintain proof of age (driver's license, school ID with date of birth, or certified birth certificate).
Restricted occupations
All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17
Federal: 29 CFR Part 570
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof
Federal: HO-16
Operating power-driven hoists
Federal: HO-7
Excavation operations
Federal: HO-17
Door-to-door sales without adult supervision
State: FL Stat §450.061
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: Florida Statutes Chapter 450 Part I (§§ 450.001-450.155)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Child-Labor-Program
Informational only — verify with the Florida Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Florida?
- Yes — under Florida law a 14-year-old can work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 15 hours per week, between 07:00 and 19:00.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Florida?
- When school is in session, Florida allows a 15-year-old to work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 15 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 Florida require a work permit for minors?
- Florida does not require a state-issued work permit for minors. Employers still must follow federal FLSA rules on hour caps and restricted occupations.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Florida?
- Florida prohibits minors from a number of hazardous occupations, including: all federal hazardous orders ho-1 through ho-17; roofing operations and work on or about a roof; operating power-driven hoists. The full list of federal hazardous orders (HO-1 through HO-17) also applies. See the Florida Statutes Chapter 450 Part I (§§ 450.001-450.155) citation on this page for the statutory source.