Hiring teen workers in non-agricultural jobs
A summary of the basics can be found in Teens at Work: Facts for Employers,
Parents and Teens.
Steps
a business must follow
- Obtain a Minor Work Permit endorsement through your Master
Business License Application prior to hiring a minor. Go
to the
Department of Licensing
- Business Licensing Office Locations web site or any
L&I office. You must post your Master Business License with
current minor work permit endorsement. This must be renewed annually.
- Obtain a Parent/School
Authorization Form (F700-002-000). Before employing a minor, you must
have the minor's parent or legal guardian and the school (during the school year)
complete the Parent/School
Authorization form and keep it in your files. This form is sent to employers with the renewal of the minor
work permit, or they can obtain it from L&I. They must keep the completed
form on file. It must be renewed annually. When school is not in
session, a
school signature is not required.
-
Obtain proof of minor's age. You must keep proof
of age on file. Examples include a copy of a birth certificate or driver's
license, or a witnessed statement of the parent
or legal guardian.
- Keep employment records for
3 years after you hire a minor. You must keep information
such as employee name, address, occupation, dates of employment,
rate(s) of pay, amount
paid each pay period and the hours worked. These records must be
available to the employee on request at any reasonable time.
Special rules for hiring teens into special jobs

Variances and penalties
What else does an employer need to know about hiring teens?
Adolescence is a time of rapid change and learning. A few “tips” can help keep them safe in the workplace:
- Teens are entitled to a safe and healthy work environment just as adults do. Follow all the health and safety requirements. If assistance is needed, contact a WISHA health and safety consultant in your area.
- Teens are entitled to workers’ compensation the same as adults.
- Teens require increased supervision and lots of repetition to learn new skills.
- Teens should be encouraged to ask questions and ask for assistance if they are unsure of how to do assigned tasks.
- Teens have special work requirements regarding:
For more detail, see Washington Administrative Code:
Non-agricultural Employment of Minors (WAC 296-125)