Minors have more limited hours than adults in Washington State. In general, the hours minors can work vary depending on the minor’s age and whether school is in session.
The work week for minors is Sunday through Saturday, and the school week is Monday through Friday. Weeks with any amount of school time are considered a school week. For example, if a minor's school is closed for 2 days of the week due to a holiday (such as Thanksgiving break), the week is still considered a school week. Generally, minors cannot work during the hours their neighborhood public school is in session.
The tables below show the hours minors may work.
Under 14 years old
Under specific circumstances, minors younger than 14 may be allowed to work. In those cases, the minors must follow the same work hour limits as 14- and15-year-olds that are outlined below. For more information on hiring minors under 14, visit Hiring Youth Under Age 14.
14-15 years old
Below are the maximum hours of work allowed.
| Schedule | Hours / day | Hours / week | Days / week | Start – End time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * 8 hours Sat.–Sun. ** 9 p.m. June 1 to Labor Day |
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| School week | 3 hours * | 16 hours | 6 days | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | |
| Non-school week | 8 hours | 40 hours | 6 days | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. ** | |
16-17 years old
Below are the maximum hours of work allowed.
| Schedule | Hours / day | Hours / week | Days / week | Start – End time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * 8 hours Fri.–Sun. ** Midnight Fri.–Sat. or the day before a school holiday *** Midnight Fri.–Sat. |
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| School week | 4 hours * | 20 hours | 6 days | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. ** | |
| Non-school week | 8 hours | 48 hours | 6 days | 5 a.m. – Midnight | |
| School week with special variance |
6 hours * | 28 hours | 6 days | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. *** | |
Important notes
- Minors working past 8 p.m. in service occupations must be supervised by a responsible adult employee who is on the premises at all times.
- All overtime rules apply for any hours worked over 40 hours per week.
- Minors attending homeschool, alternative school, private school, online school, or who are not enrolled in school must follow all limits on hours of work.
School hours exceptions
Sixteen- and 17-year-old minors may work when their neighborhood public school is in session if they are:
- Attending an alternative, private, or other school that is not the local public school in the area where the minor lives.
- Enrolled in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) worksite learning program and has been released early by their school to begin work for an employer participating in the worksite learning program.
- Homeschooled.
- Enrolled in online school.
- Excused by their school district superintendent or the superintendent's authorized representative
Minors working under the school hours exceptions may not work while any of their classes are actively in session. These minors are still subject to all other child labor rules and hours of work rules, including shift start and end time, daily and weekly hours limits, and days per week, as outlined in the chart above.
Hours of Work Exemptions
Sixteen- and 17-year-old minors may work non-school week hours during the regular school year if:
- The minor is a parent.
- The minor has a high school diploma or equivalency (GED certificate).
- The minor is enrolled in a bona fide college program, such as Running Start.
- The minor is enrolled in a CTE worksite learning program or Core Plus Program.
Employers should request documentation as proof if a minor works under any of these exceptions. Examples of proof:
- Shown on birth certificate of child as the parent.
- High school diploma or GED certificate.
- College transcript.
- CTE worksite learning or Core Plus agreement plan.
Minors working under these exemptions are still subject to all other child labor rules.
Emancipated minors
Sixteen- and 17-year-old minors who are emancipated by court order do not have limits on their hours of work. They do not need a parent/school authorization form. Employers must still obtain a minor work permit and may not allow emancipated minors in any prohibited occupation. Employers should request documentation as proof of emancipation, for example a court order that indicates emancipated status.
For non-agricultural hours of work for minors see WAC 296-125-101.
The tables below show the hours minors may work.
Minors working on their immediate family farm are exempt from the restrictions on hours of work.
12- and 13-year-olds
These minors are only allowed to work during non-school weeks to hand-harvest berries, bulbs, cucumbers, and spinach.
| Schedule | Hours / day | Hours / week | Days / week | Start – End time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School week | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | |
| Non-school week | 8 hours | 40 hours | 6 days | 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. | |
14-15 years old
Below are hours of work not be exceeded.
| Schedule | Hours / day | Hours / week | Days / week | Start – End time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School week | 3 hours * | 21 hours | 6 days | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. ** | |
| Non-school week | 8 hours | 40 hours | 6 days | 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. | |
| * 8 hours non-school days **Start time: 5 a.m. on non-school days, 6 a.m. in animal agriculture and irrigation End time: 9 p.m. on Fri.–Sat. or the day before a school holiday |
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16-17 years old
Below are the maximum hours of work allowed.
| * 8 hours non-school days ** No later than 9 p.m. on more than 2 consecutive nights before a school day *** 60 hours per week in mechanical harvest of peas, wheat, and hay |
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| Exception: Minors are allowed to work 7 days a week in dairy, livestock, hay harvest, and irrigation during school and non-school weeks. | |||||
| Schedule | Hours / day | Hours /week | Days / week | Start – End time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School week | 4 hours * | 28 hours | 6 days | 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. ** | |
| Non-school week | 10 hours | 50 hours *** | 6 days | 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. | |
Hours of Work Exemptions
Sixteen- and 17-year-old minors may work non-school week hours during the regular school year if:
- The minor is a parent.
- The minor has a high school diploma or equivalency (GED certificate).
- The minor is enrolled in a bona fide college program, such as Running Start.
- The minor is enrolled in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) worksite learning program or Core Plus Program.
Employers should request documentation as proof if a minor works under any of these exceptions. Examples of proof:
- Shown on birth certificate of child as the parent.
- High school diploma or GED certificate.
- College transcript.
- CTE worksite learning or Core Plus agreement plan.
Minors working under these exemptions are still subject to all other child labor rules.
Emancipated minors
Sixteen- and 17-year-old minors who are emancipated by court order do not have limits on their hours of work. They do not need a parent/school authorization form. Employers must still obtain a minor work permit and may not allow emancipated minors for any prohibited occupation. Employers should request documentation as proof of emancipation, for example a court order that indicates emancipated status.
For agricultural hours of work for minors see WAC 296-122-090.