Youth work hours: 5 checks before scheduling

• Check whether each planned shift falls on a school day or a nonschool day.
• Add the planned hours for the whole week before posting individual shifts.
• Check each shift's start and end times against the clock time window.
• Keep Washington's evening, overtime, and permit requirements separate from this federal check.
• Mark any shift that exceeds a limit before the schedule is finalized.

These limits apply specifically to this age group in covered nonagricultural occupations. Use the table below to check each limit against the planned shifts. The U.S. Department of Labor outlines these requirements in Fact Sheet #43: Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for Nonagricultural Occupations.

Keep these federal limits separate from state-specific rules. Do not apply Washington’s evening, overtime, or permit lines to this federal check. Mark any shift that exceeds these five limits before the schedule is finalized.

When you build the weekly schedule for a 14- or 15-year-old in nonfarm work, the U.S. Department of Labor sets five specific hour limits that apply to covered nonagricultural occupations. According to U.S. Department of Labor, the first limit is that a minor may work no more than 3 hours on a school day, including Fridays. This cap applies to any day when school is in session, including a Friday when school is in session.

The second limit addresses days when school is not in session. According to U.S. Department of Labor, a 14- or 15-year-old may work no more than 8 hours on a nonschool day. This includes Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays when school is not scheduled.

The third limit covers the total hours during a school week. According to U.S. Department of Labor, a minor may work no more than 18 hours during a week when school is in session. This weekly cap applies regardless of how many days in that week are school days or nonschool days.

The fourth limit applies to weeks when school is not in session, such as summer break. According to U.S. Department of Labor, a 14- or 15-year-old may work no more than 40 hours during a week when school is not in session.

The fifth limit specifies the allowable clock hours for work. According to U.S. Department of Labor, work must occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except between June 1 and Labor Day when the evening hour is extended to 9 p.m. This summer exception allows for later end times from June 1 through Labor Day.

When scheduling a shift, check the start and end times against these five limits before posting the schedule. If a shift would exceed 3 hours on a school day, or push past 7 p.m. outside the June 1 to Labor Day window, adjust the hours to stay within the federal bounds stated by the U.S. Department of Labor. These limits apply specifically to 14- and 15-year-olds in nonfarm work.

Two proposed nonschool shifts of 5 hours each total 10 hours. Check each day's duration, the combined weekly total, and both shifts' start and end times against the table. The total alone does not confirm that the schedule meets every limit. Before posting, also check whether school is in session that week; a nonschool day and a nonschool week are separate checks.

The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 29 CFR § 570.35, lists the permitted hours of work for minors aged 14 and 15. This regulation confirms the same five limits found in the federal sheet, providing the legal basis for scheduling decisions. The first limit restricts daily hours when school is in session. According to Legal Information Institute, a minor may work not more than 3 hours in any 1 day when school is in session, including Fridays. This specific inclusion of Fridays is a critical detail for weekly planning, as it prevents extending the school-day limit into the weekend.

The regulation states not more than 8 hours in any 1 day when school is not in session, according to Legal Information Institute. This allows for longer shifts on weekends or during breaks, provided the weekly caps are still respected. It specifies not more than 18 hours in any 1 week when school is in session, according to Legal Information Institute. This weekly cap ensures that school-day work does not accumulate into an excessive total.

The regulation permits not more than 40 hours in any 1 week when school is not in session, according to Legal Information Institute. This weekly cap applies during a week when school is not in session. The regulation requires work to be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. in any 1 day, according to Legal Information Institute. There is a specific exception during the summer. From June 1 through Labor Day, the evening hour extends to 9 p.m., according to Legal Information Institute.

When you build the weekly schedule, the age of the technician determines which rules apply. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Fact Sheet #43: Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for Nonagricultural Occupations draws a clear line at age 14. According to U.S. Department of Labor, children under 14 years of age may not be employed in non-agricultural occupations covered by the FLSA. If your shop hires minors, the youngest eligible for these specific hour limits is 14.

The table below lists the specific hour limits for 14- and 15-year-olds in nonfarm work as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Legal Information Institute. Each row identifies the publisher and the corresponding limit values.

According to U.S. Department of Labor, the school day cap is no more than 3 hours on a school day , including Fridays. The nonschool day cap is no more than 8 hours on a nonschool day. The school week cap is no more than 18 hours during a week when school is in session. The nonschool week cap is no more than 40 hours during a week when school is not in session. The clock time is between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.—except between June 1 and Labor day when the evening hour is extended to 9 p.m.

According to Legal Information Institute, the regulation states (5) Not more than 3 hours in any 1 day when school is in session, including Fridays. The regulation also states (4) Not more than 8 hours in any 1 day when school is not in session. It states (3) Not more than 18 hours in any 1 week when school is in session. It states (2) Not more than 40 hours in any 1 week when school is not in session. It states (6) Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. in any 1 day, except during the summer (June 1 through Labor Day) when the evening hour will be 9 p.m.

Use this table to verify that your weekly schedule for 14- and 15-year-olds aligns with the stated caps before posting the schedule.

When you build a schedule for a shop in Washington, you must keep state-specific rules separate from the five federal hour limits. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries notes that changes to agricultural and non-agricultural child labor took effect on July 1, 2026, according to Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. This date applies to the state's current framework for youth employment.

If a minor works past 8 p.m. in service occupations, the rules require supervision. 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, according to Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. This supervision requirement is specific to Washington's "Hours of Work" guidelines and does not replace the federal evening hour limits for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Overtime in Washington follows a specific threshold. All overtime rules apply for any hours worked over 40 hours per week, according to Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. This overtime line is distinct from the federal 18-hour school week or 40-hour nonschool week limits for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Washington's permit requirement applies to employment covered by the cited law. No minor person shall be employed in any occupation, trade, or industry subject to chapter 16, Laws of 1973 2nd ex. sess., unless a work permit has been properly issued, with the consent of the parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of the minor and with the approval of the school which such minor may then be attending, according to Washington State Legislature. This permit requirement is a Washington rule and should not be confused with federal hour restrictions.

Look at next week's schedule and mark any 14- or 15-year-old against the five hour limits today. Check the day, the weekly total, and the start and end times before posting. For related schedule review, use the site's guide to recording hours before approval. For the dispatch handoff, see the field service work order checklist. No signup and no payment.

What are the five hour limits for a 14- or 15-year-old in nonfarm work?

The five checks are the school day cap, nonschool day cap, school week cap, nonschool week cap, and clock time window. The U.S. Department of Labor lists no more than 3 hours on a school day, including Fridays, according to U.S. Department of Labor. The same source states no more than 8 hours on a nonschool day, according to U.S. Department of Labor. Weekly limits are no more than 18 hours during a week when school is in session, according to U.S. Department of Labor. The limit is no more than 40 hours during a week when school is not in session, according to U.S. Department of Labor. Work must occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except between June 1 and Labor Day when the evening hour is extended to 9 p.m., according to U.S. Department of Labor.

Should I also check state hour restrictions?

Yes, many states restrict these hours, according to U.S. Department of Labor.

May a child under 14 do this covered work?

Children under 14 years of age may not be employed in non-agricultural occupations covered by the FLSA, according to U.S. Department of Labor.

Does Washington's 8 p.m. supervision rule apply in every state?

No, the rule requiring supervision for minors working past 8 p.m. in service occupations is a Washington state rule, according to Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. It does not appear in the federal hour limits listed by the U.S. Department of Labor, according to U.S. Department of Labor.

What is the school-week limit for this schedule check?

The normal school-week limit is no more than 18 hours during a week when school is in session, according to U.S. Department of Labor.