Child labor -- age restrictions
Minimum age
A minor under age 14 may not be employed, except as:
- a newspaper carrier (at least 11 years of age);
- in agriculture (at least 12 years of age and with parental/guardian consent);
- an actor, actress or model; or
- a youth athletic program referee (at least 11 years of age and with parental/guardian consent).
Age and hours of work
A minor less than 16 years of age
A minor less than 16 years of age may not work:
- before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.* with the exception of a newspaper carrier;
- for more than 40 hours a week or more than eight hours per 24-hour period*, except in agriculture;
- on school days during school hours, without an employment certificate issued by the school district superintendent (Minnesota Statutes 181A.05).
*During the school year, federal law restricts hours to no later than 7 p.m., no more than three hours a day and not more than 18 hours a week.
A minor age 16 or 17 years old
By state law, 16- and 17-year-old high school students may not work after 11 p.m. on evenings before school days or before 5 a.m. on school days. With written permission from a parent or guardian, these hours may be expanded to 11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. No other limit is set for 16- and 17-year-olds.
See also: Prohibited work for minors