IA· State teen labor law
Iowa teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Iowa significantly loosened child-labor caps in 2023 (SF 542): 14-15-year-olds may now work up to 4 hours on a school day, 28 hours per school week, and until 11:00 PM in summer. 16-17-year-olds face no state hour or curfew restrictions.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Iowa applies similar caps year-round, with small calendar adjustments shown below. 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)
- 4 hr
- Hrs/day (Sat / Sun / holiday)
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 28 hr
- Time window
- 07:00 – 21:00
Note: Under the 2023 expansion (SF 542), Iowa allows up to 4 hours on a school day and 28 hours per school week — more than the federal 3-hour / 18-hour caps. 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 – 23:00
Note: Summer hours apply June 1 through Labor Day; evening cutoff extends to 11:00 PM (looser than federal 9:00 PM).
Ages 16–17
School year
When school is in session
- Max hours per day
- No state limit
- Max hours per week
- No state limit
- Time window
- No state limit
Note: Iowa imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds (SF 542, 2023 removed the previous restrictions). Federal FLSA also has no cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.
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
Work permit
Iowa requires a work permit for minors aged 14–15.
Minors 14-15 apply online through Iowa Workforce Development with proof of age, an employer's offer letter, and a parent or guardian's electronic signature. The permit is electronic and job-specific. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a permit but the employer keeps age verification on file.
Form: Iowa Work Permit
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
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16 without adult supervision
State: Iowa Code §92.7
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18
State: Iowa Code §123.49
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: Iowa Code Chapter 92 (Employment of Minors)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/14-15-year-old-work-permit
Informational only — verify with the Iowa Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Iowa?
- Yes — under Iowa law a 14-year-old can work up to 4 hours per school day, up to 28 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00. A Iowa work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Iowa?
- When school is in session, Iowa allows a 15-year-old to work up to 4 hours per school day, up to 28 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00. 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 23:00.
- Does Iowa require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — Iowa requires a work permit for minors aged 14-15 (form: Iowa Work Permit). Minors 14-15 apply online through Iowa Workforce Development with proof of age, an employer's offer letter, and a parent or guardian's electronic signature. The permit is electronic and job-specific. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a permit but the employer keeps age verification on file.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Iowa?
- Iowa 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 Iowa Code Chapter 92 (Employment of Minors) citation on this page for the statutory source.