NJ· State teen labor law
New Jersey teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
New Jersey modernized its working-papers process in 2023 to a single online application coordinated through the state Department of Labor. 16-17-year-olds face a 40-hour school-week cap (rising to 48 in summer) — stricter than the federal FLSA floor.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
New Jersey 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
- 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 from the last day of school in June through Labor Day.
Ages 16–17
School year
When school is in session
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 40 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 23:00
Note: Maximum 6 consecutive days of work. Up to 11:30 PM on nights not preceding a school day with written parental consent.
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 48 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 23:30
Note: Up to 11:30 PM during the summer. Restaurants and seasonal recreation employers may extend to 12:30 AM with parental consent.
Work permit
New Jersey requires a work permit for minors aged 14–17.
Since the 2023 'Working Papers Modernization' law, New Jersey uses a single combined application. The minor, parent, and employer each complete sections online through the NJ Department of Labor portal; the school then verifies enrollment and issues the working papers electronically. Required for every new job.
Form: New Jersey Combined Working Papers (Form A300)
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 18 without bonded supervisor
State: N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.17
Beach and pool lifeguard for minors under 16
State: NJAC 12:58-3.4
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: New Jersey Child Labor Law, N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.1 et seq.
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/tools-resources/child-labor/index.shtml
Informational only — verify with the New Jersey Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in New Jersey?
- Yes — under New Jersey 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 New Jersey work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in New Jersey?
- When school is in session, New Jersey 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 New Jersey require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — New Jersey requires a work permit for minors aged 14-17 (form: New Jersey Combined Working Papers (Form A300)). Since the 2023 'Working Papers Modernization' law, New Jersey uses a single combined application. The minor, parent, and employer each complete sections online through the NJ Department of Labor portal; the school then verifies enrollment and issues the working papers electronically. Required for every new job.
- How many hours can a 16-year-old work during summer in New Jersey?
- During summer or school breaks, New Jersey allows a 16-year-old to work up to 8 hours per school day, up to 48 hours per week, between 06:00 and 23:30. 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 New Jersey?
- New Jersey 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 New Jersey Child Labor Law, N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.1 et seq. citation on this page for the statutory source.