ND· State teen labor law
North Dakota teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
North Dakota requires an online Age Certificate for minors 14-15 (valid until age 16) and follows federal FLSA caps for that age group. 16-17-year-olds face no state restrictions.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
North Dakota 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: Mirrors federal FLSA. 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: North Dakota imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds.
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
North Dakota requires a work permit for minors aged 14–15.
Minors 14-15 obtain an Age Certificate through the ND Department of Labor and Human Rights online portal. The minor presents proof of age and parental consent; the certificate is electronic and not job-specific (valid until age 16). 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a certificate.
Form: Age Certificate (Form L-26)
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: N.D.C.C. §34-07-15
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 21
State: N.D.C.C. §5-02-06
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: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 34-07 (Employment of Children)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.nd.gov/labor/employment-minors
Informational only — verify with the North Dakota Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in North Dakota?
- Yes — under North Dakota 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 North Dakota work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in North Dakota?
- When school is in session, North Dakota 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 North Dakota require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — North Dakota requires a work permit for minors aged 14-15 (form: Age Certificate (Form L-26)). Minors 14-15 obtain an Age Certificate through the ND Department of Labor and Human Rights online portal. The minor presents proof of age and parental consent; the certificate is electronic and not job-specific (valid until age 16). 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a certificate.
- What jobs can a minor not do in North Dakota?
- North Dakota 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 North Dakota Century Code Chapter 34-07 (Employment of Children) citation on this page for the statutory source.