VA· State teen labor law
Virginia teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Virginia requires an Employment Certificate for minors 14-15 through the state DOLI portal and follows the federal FLSA hour caps for that age group. 16-17-year-olds face no weekly hour cap and the only time restriction is a midnight curfew.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Virginia 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
- — – 00:00
Note: Virginia imposes no state weekly hour cap on 16-17-year-olds. Minors under 18 may not work past midnight without parental consent.
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
Note: No state hour limit during school breaks; federal FLSA has no cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.
Work permit
Virginia requires a work permit for minors aged 14–15.
Minors 14-15 apply through the Virginia DOLI online portal. The employer provides a Statement of Intent to Employ; a parent or guardian and the school sign off on the application. The certificate is job-specific. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a permit but the employer must keep age verification on file.
Form: Employment Certificate for Minors Under 16
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: VA Code §40.1-100.1
Tobacco-products sales for minors under 16
State: VA Code §40.1-100
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: Virginia Code §§ 40.1-78 to 40.1-116 (Child Labor Law)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.doli.virginia.gov/labor-law/child-labor-laws/
Informational only — verify with the Virginia Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Virginia?
- Yes — under Virginia 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 Virginia work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Virginia?
- When school is in session, Virginia 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 Virginia require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — Virginia requires a work permit for minors aged 14-15 (form: Employment Certificate for Minors Under 16). Minors 14-15 apply through the Virginia DOLI online portal. The employer provides a Statement of Intent to Employ; a parent or guardian and the school sign off on the application. The certificate is job-specific. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a permit but the employer must keep age verification on file.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Virginia?
- Virginia 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 Virginia Code §§ 40.1-78 to 40.1-116 (Child Labor Law) citation on this page for the statutory source.