MO· State teen labor law
Missouri teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Missouri requires a Work Certificate for minors 14-15 and follows the federal FLSA caps for that age group. 16-17-year-olds face no state hour limit or time-of-day restriction — only federal hazardous-occupation rules apply.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Missouri 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 June 1 through Labor Day; evening cutoff extends to 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: Missouri imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16-17-year-olds; 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
Missouri requires a work permit for minors aged 14–15.
Minors 14-15 must obtain a Work Certificate from their school superintendent before starting work. The minor presents a Statement of Intent to Employ from the employer along with proof of age. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a state-issued certificate; the employer keeps age verification on file.
Form: Missouri Work 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: RSMo §294.040
Adult entertainment establishments (any minor)
State: RSMo §294.040
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: Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 294 (§§ 294.005-294.150)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://labor.mo.gov/DLS/YouthEmployment
Informational only — verify with the Missouri Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Missouri?
- Yes — under Missouri 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 Missouri work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Missouri?
- When school is in session, Missouri 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 Missouri require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — Missouri requires a work permit for minors aged 14-15 (form: Missouri Work Certificate). Minors 14-15 must obtain a Work Certificate from their school superintendent before starting work. The minor presents a Statement of Intent to Employ from the employer along with proof of age. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a state-issued certificate; the employer keeps age verification on file.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Missouri?
- Missouri 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 Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 294 (§§ 294.005-294.150) citation on this page for the statutory source.