LA· State teen labor law
Louisiana teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Louisiana requires a school-issued Employment Certificate for every minor under 18. Act 364 (2024) removed the 11:00 PM school-night curfew for 16-17-year-olds, leaving only federal hazardous-occupation protections in place for that age group.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Louisiana 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)
- 3 hr
- Hrs/day (Sat / Sun / holiday)
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 18 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: Summer hours apply when public schools are not in session.
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: Louisiana imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds (Act 364, 2024 removed the prior 11:00 PM school-night curfew). Federal FLSA also has no hour 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
Louisiana requires a work permit for minors aged 14–17.
The minor obtains an offer of employment from the prospective employer, then applies for the Employment Certificate at their school. A parent or guardian must sign. The certificate is job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer. The school forwards a copy to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
Form: Louisiana Employment Certificate
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: La. R.S. 23:213
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18
State: La. R.S. 26:90
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: Louisiana Revised Statutes 23:151-23:258 (Employment of Minors)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.laworks.net/WorkforceDev/EWS/EWS_Main.asp
Informational only — verify with the Louisiana Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Louisiana?
- Yes — under Louisiana 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 Louisiana work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Louisiana?
- When school is in session, Louisiana 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 Louisiana require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — Louisiana requires a work permit for minors aged 14-17 (form: Louisiana Employment Certificate). The minor obtains an offer of employment from the prospective employer, then applies for the Employment Certificate at their school. A parent or guardian must sign. The certificate is job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer. The school forwards a copy to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Louisiana?
- Louisiana 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 Louisiana Revised Statutes 23:151-23:258 (Employment of Minors) citation on this page for the statutory source.