How many hours can a 15 year old work in NC?

The North Carolina Child Labor Laws are administered by the North Carolina Department of Labor to ensure safe and ethical work practices and conditions to instill positive values.  Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to work, with a few exceptions.  They may hold jobs in babysitting and household duties.  Beginning at the age of 12, minors can work on the farm of a parent or guardian without a work permit, or otherwise with the appropriate waivers.   

Child Labor Laws in North Carolina For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old

Minors 14 and 15 years of age may work in certain jobs with a work permit.  Employment permitted for 14 and 15 year olds include:

  • Dishwasher
  • Grocery Bagger
  • Cashier
  • Shelf Stocker
  • Non-Cooking Food Preparation
  • Office Work

They may work outside of school hours in non-hazardous agricultural jobs without a work permit.

Minors 14 and 15 years old may not work in establishments which sell or serve alcohol for consumption.  They may not work in the Hazardous Occupations listed below prohibiting all minors under 18.

Specifically, minors 14 and 15 years of age may not work in the following Hazardous Occupations:

  • Operation of Heavy Equipment such as Trenchers, Combines, Feed Grinders, Tractors over 20 Horsepower, and other Power-Driven Machinery
  • Working from a Ladder or Scaffolding over 20 feet
  • Driving an Automobile, Bus or Truck to transport passengers
  • Use of Blasting agents or Explosives
  • Handling of or Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
  • Work with Animals designated for breeding purposes

North Carolina Child Labor Law details the restrictions for this age group as follows:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than three hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 18 hours per week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
  • Must have a 30 minute break after five consecutive hours of work

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day
  • Must have a 30 minute break after five consecutive hours of work

Child Labor Laws in North Carolina For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old

Minors 16 and 17 years of age may work in a variety of jobs, most of which require a work permit.  They may work in any job in agriculture at any time without a work permit.  They may not work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption. 

All minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from working in the following occupations considered Hazardous or Detrimental as outlined by the State:

Hazardous Occupations:

  • Manufacturing or Storing Explosives
  • Coal Mining
  • Logging or Work in Sawmills
  • Jobs involving Exposure to Radioactive Materials
  • Work with Power-Driven Machinery
  • Work in Meat Packing Plants/Slaughterhouses
  • Roofing
  • Trenching/Excavation
  • Driving a Motor Vehicle
  • Preparing/Selling/Serving Alcoholic Beverages

Detrimental Occupations:

  • Welding/Torch Cutting
  • Exposure to Quartz or Asbestos
  • Work with Lead
  • Benzene Exposure
  • Canneries/Processing Plants
  • Occupations Involving a Risk of Falling 10 Feet or More
  • Electrical Work/Electrician’s Helper
  • Work in Confined Spaces
  • Jobs Requiring the Use of a Respirator

North Carolina Child Labor Law outlines the restrictions for this age group as follows:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than three hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 18 hours per week
  • No earlier than 5am or later than 11pm on a school night without written permission from a parent or guardian and the Principal of the school, if enrolled in school

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No hours restriction is specified

All minors under 18 who work in acting, modeling, or other performing arts need a work permit, but otherwise are exempt from all other provisions of North Carolina Child Labor Law.

For 16/17 year olds, exemptions may be granted when the individual circumstances are found to be in the best interests of the minor.

Alaska

6-day week school day/week: 9 d - 23

6-day week

9 p.m. to 5 a.m

 

Arizona

8-40 school day/week: 3-18 c

 

9:30 p.m. (11 p.m. before non-school day) to 6 a.m. 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. in door-to-door sales or deliveries

 

Arkansas

8-48-6

10-54-6 (for 16 year-olds only; no maximum hours for 17 year-olds)

7 p.m. (9 p.m. before non-school day) to 6 a.m

11 p.m. to 6 a.m. before school day(for 16 year-olds only; no requirements for 17 year-olds)

California

8-40-6 school day/week: 3-18

8-48-6 school day-week: 4-28 d except 8 before non-school day c

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

10 p.m. (12:30 a.m. before non-school day) to 5 a.m.

Colorado

8-40 school day: 6

8-40

9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. before school day

 

Connecticut

8-40-6 in mercantile during periods of school vacation of 5 days or more

Enrolled in and not graduated from a secondary institution. 8-48-6, non-school weeks. school day/week: 6 (8 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday) - 32 in restaurant, recreational, amusement, theater, manufacturing, mechanical, retail, hairdressing, bowling alley, pool hall, or photography gallery establishments.

Not enrolled in and not graduated from a secondary institution. 8-48-6 in retail/mercantile establishments.

9-48-6 in restaurant, manufacturing, mechanical, recreation, amusement and theater establishments

7 p.m. (9 p.m. July 1 to the first Monday in September) to 7 a.m.

11 p.m. (midnight if school vacation, not prior to a school day, or not attending school) to 6 a.m. in restaurants, recreational, amusement and theater establishments.
10 p.m. (11 p.m. if school vacation, not prior to a school day, or not attending school; midnight in a supermarket of 3,500 square feet or more when no school the next day) to 6 a.m. in manufacturing, mechanical and retail establishments.
10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in hairdressing, bowling alley, pool hall, or photography gallery establishments.

Delaware

8-40-6 school day/week: 4-18 f

12 d

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

8 consecutive hours of non-work, non-school time required in each 24-hour day.

Florida

8-40-6 school day: 3 when followed by school day, except if enrolled in vocational program Schoolweek: 15

Minors under 16 may work 8-40 during non-school day or week.

8-30-6 during schoolyear

7 p.m. before school day to 7 a.m. on school day (9 p.m. during holidays and summer vacations to 7 a.m.)

11 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., before school day.

Georgia

8-40 school day: 4

 

9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

 

Hawaii

8-40-6

School day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 p.m. to 6 a.m. during authorized school breaks).

 

Idaho

9-54

 

9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

 

Illinois

8-48-6 school day/week: 3 [8 d ] e g - 24

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m. h

 

Indiana

8-40 school day/week: 3-18 c

16 and 17-year-old minors enrolled in school may not work for more than nine hours in any one day, 40 hours in a school week, 48 hours in a non-school week, and six days in any one week.

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day, except when school is in session) to 7 a.m.

On nights before a school day, 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
 Minors working until 11 p.m. on nights before a school day are required to have written parental permission. These restrictions apply to minors enrolled in a regular school term. 

Iowa

4-28 school day/week: 8-40 in a week when school is not in session

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

 

Kansas

8-40

 

10 p.m. before school day to 7 a.m.

 

Kentucky

8-40 school day/week: 3 (8 on nonschool days) -18

6 (8 Saturday and Sunday) 30, if attending school (40 with parental permission and at least a 2.0 school grade point average)

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

10:30 p.m. (1 a.m. Friday and Saturday) to 6 a.m. when school in session.

Louisiana

8-40-6 school day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m

Non-graduate (7 p.m.-7 a.m. on any school day, 9 p.m.-7 a.m. on any non-school day)

Non-graduate 16 year old (11 p.m. - 5 a.m. prior to start of school day)

Non-graduate 17 year old (12a.m.-5a.m.) prior to start of any school day.

Maine

8-40-6 (consecutive) in week when school is not in session;

3-18 i -6 (consecutive) in week when school is in session. c

If enrolled in school:

10-50-6 (consecutive) in week when school is not in session; j

6 (except 8 on last scheduled day of school week)- 24-6 (consecutive) in week when school is in session.

7 p.m. (9 p.m. during summer vacation) to 7 a.m.

If enrolled in school:

10:15 p.m. (12 a.m. before non-school day) to 7 a.m. on day the minor’s school is in session, and to 5 a.m. otherwise.

Maryland

8-40 school day/week: 4-23, f

12 d

8 p.m. (9 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

8 consecutive hours of non-work, non-school day time required in each 24-hour day.

Massachusetts

Maximum hours when School is in session:

18 hours a week

3 hours a day on school days

8 hours a day Saturday, Sunday, holidays

6 days a week

Maximum hours when school is not in session:

40 hours a week

8 hours a day

6 days a week

Maximum hours of work - whether or not school is in session:

48 hours a week

9 hours a day

6 days a week

Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year.

Only between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. during the summer (from July 1 through Labor Day).

After 8:00 p.m., all minors must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace and is reasonably accessible to the minor, unless the minor works at a kiosk, cart or stand in the common area of an enclosed shopping mall that has security from 8:00 p.m.

Only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (on nights preceding a regularly scheduled school day) - if the establishment stops serving clients or customers at 10:00 p.m., the minor may be employed until 10:15 p.m.

Only between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. (on nights not preceding a regularly scheduled school day).

Exception for restaurants and racetracks: only between 6 a.m. and 12:00 midnight (on nights not preceding a regularly scheduled school day).

After 8:00 p.m., all minors must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace and is reasonably accessible to the minor, unless the minor works at a kiosk, cart or stand in the common area of an enclosed shopping mall that has security from 8:00 p.m. until the mall is closed to the public.

Michigan

8-48 Schoolweek: 48 d e (outside of school hours, no earlier than 3:00 pm, Monday - Friday)

10-48-6 Schoolweek: 24 e

9 p.m. to 7 a.m

10:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and during school vacations) to 6 a.m., if attending school. 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., if not attending school.

Minnesota

8-40

 

9 p.m. to 7 a.m

11 p.m. to 5 a.m. before school day (11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. with written parental permission).

Mississippi

8-44 in factory, mill, cannery or workshop.

 

7 p.m. to 6 a.m. in factory, mill, cannery or workshop.

 

Missouri

8-40-6 school day: 3

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day 10:30 p.m. at regional Fairs or expositions) to 7 a.m.

 

Montana

8-40 school day/week: 3-18 b c

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. during periods outside the school year (June 1 through Labor Day, depending on local standards)) to 7 a.m.

 

Nebraska

8-48

 

8 p.m. to 6 a.m., under 14. 10 p.m. (beyond 10 p.m. before non-school day with special permit) to 6 a.m., 14 and 15.

 

Nevada

8-48

 

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New Hampshire

8 on non-school day, 48-hour week during vacation, if enrolled in school. school day/week: 3-23 if enrolled in school.

30 hours during a full school week (5 days in school), 40.25 hours a week if in school 4 days that week, and 48 hours a week if in school for 3 days or less.

9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

 

New Jersey

8-40-6 school day/week: 3-18 c

8-40-6

7 p.m. (9 p.m. from last day of school through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during school term, with specified variations

New Mexico

8-40 School day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. outside of the calendar school year) to 7 a.m.

 

New York

8-40-6 school day/week: 3-18 b

8-48-6 school day/week: 4 before school day, 8 Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday-28, if enrolled in school.

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 21 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

10 p.m. (midnight before school days with written permission from both parent and school and before non-school day with written parental consent) to 6 a.m., while school is in session. Midnight to 6 a.m. while school is not in session.

North Carolina

8-40 school day/week: 3-18 b

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. during summer vacation) to 7 a.m.

11 p.m. to 5 a.m. before school day while school is in session. Not applicable with written permission from both parent and school.

North Dakota

8-40-6 school day/week: 3-18 if not exempted from school attendance.

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

 

Ohio

8-40 school day/week: 3-18

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 to Sept. 1 and during school holidays of 5 school days or more) to 7 a.m., 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in door-to-door sales.

11 p.m. before school day to 7 a.m. on school day (6 a.m. if not employed after 8 p.m. previous night) if required to attend school. 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. in door-to-door sales.

Oklahoma

8-40 in week when school is not in session;

3-18 in week when school is in session, (but 8-hour maximum on non-school days)

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

 

Oregon

8-40 school day/week: 3-18 b

44-hour week (emergency overtime with permit)

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m

 

Pennsylvania

8-44-6 school day/week: 4 (8 on non-school day) - 18

d

8-44-6 28 in schoolweek, if enrolled in regular day school

7 p.m. (10 p.m. during vacation from June to Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

12 p.m. (1 a.m.before non-school day) to 6 a.m., if enrolled in regular day school.

Rhode Island

8-40

9-48, during school year

7 p.m. (9 p.m. during school vacation) to 6 a.m.

11:30 p.m. (1:30 a.m. before non-school day) to 6 a.m., if regularly attending school.

South Carolina

8-40 school day/week: 3-18

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. during summer break of the school district in which the minor resides) to 7 a.m.

 

South Dakota

8-40 school day/week: 4-20

 

After 10 p.m. before school day

 

Tennessee

8-40 school day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 p.m. to 6 a.m. before non-school days)

10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Sunday - Thursday before school days) (midnight with parental permission up to 3 nights a week)

Texas

8-48

 

10 p.m. (midnight before non-school day or in summer if not enrolled in summer school) to 5 a.m.

 

Utah

8-40 school day: 4

 

9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. before school day.

 

Vermont

8-40-6, non-school day period.
school day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

 

Virginia

8-40, non-school period. school day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

 

Washington

8-40-6 school day/week: 3 (8 Saturday and Sunday) - 16

8-48-6 school day/week: 4 (8 Friday, Saturday and Sunday) - 20. 6-28 with special variance agreed to by parent, employer, student and school

7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1st to Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

An adult must supervise minors working after 8 p.m. in service occupations, such as restaurants and retail businesses.

10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday (midnight Friday and Saturday and when school is not in session) to 7 a.m. (5 a.m. when school is not in session). 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. in door-to-door sales.

An adult must supervise minors working after 8 p.m. in service occupations, such as restaurants and retail businesses.

West Virginia

8-40 non-school day/week period; School day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m..

Supervision permit may be issued allowing 14 and 15 year old minors to work until 9:00p.m. when school is not in session.

 

Wisconsin

8-40 non-school day/week period; school day/week: 3-18 c

 

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

 

Wyoming

 

 

10 p.m. (midnight before non-school day and for minors not enrolled in school) to 5 a.m.

 

District of Columbia

8-48-6

8-48-6

7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Guam

8-40-6 School day: 3-18 or 9 c d

8-40-6 School day: 3-18 or 9 d

7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1st through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

10 p.m. (midnight on non-school nights (Sunday through Thursday, except nights preceeding a holiday during a school week) to 6 a.m.

Puerto Rico

8-40-6 School day: 8 d

8-40-6

6 p.m. to 8 a.m

10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

a State hours limitations on a school day and in a schoolweek usually apply only to those enrolled in school. Several states exempt high school graduates from the hours and/or nightwork or other provisions, or have less restrictive provisions for minors participating in various school-work programs. Separate nightwork standards in messenger service and street trades are common, but are not displayed in table. Some states have exceptions or special conditions for minors engaged in specific employments, such as street trades, recreation and entertainment, and jobs in establishments offering alcoholic beverages for sale.

b Students of 14 and 15 enrolled in approved Work Experience and Career Exploration programs may work during school hours up to 3 hours on a school day and 23 hours in a schoolweek.

c Maximum hours/days when school is not in session:

8 hours daily / 40 hours weekly/ 6 days weekly.

Maximum hours/days when school is in session:

3 hours daily/ 18 hours weekly

d Combined hours of work and school.

e Michigan. A minor under 16 years shall not be employed in an occupation subject to this act for longer than a weekly average of 8 hours per day. Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 409.110. Administered by Michigan Department of Education.

f More hours are permitted when school is in session less than 5 days.

g Illinois. Eight hours are permitted on both Saturday and Sunday if minor does not work outside school hours more than 6 consecutive days in a week and total hours worked outside school does not exceed 24.

h Illinois. Minors age 14 or older, employed in recreational or educational activities by a park district or municipal parks and recreation department may work up to 3 hours per school day twice a week until 9 p.m., while school is in session, if the number of hours worked does not exceed 24 a week. Work is permitted until 10 p.m. during summer vacation.

i Maine. Minors under age 18 enrolled in school may work up to 50 hours during any week that school is in session less than 3 days or during the first or last week of the school calendar, regardless of how many days school is in session for the week.

j Wisconsin has no limit during non-school week on daily hours or nightwork for 16-and 17-year-olds. However, they must be paid time and one-half for work in excess of 10 hours per day or 40 hours per week, which ever is greater. Also, 8 hours rest is required between end of work and start of work the next day, and any work between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. must be directly supervised by an adult.

Prepared By:

Division of Communications
Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor

This document was last revised in January 2022.

The Department of Labor does not administer State laws. Please consult your State’s Department of Labor for details on your State’s requirements.

What the most hours a 15 year old can work?

30 hours during a full school week (5 days in school), 40.25 hours a week if in school 4 days that week, and 48 hours a week if in school for 3 days or less. 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Do you need a work permit at 15 in NC?

Youths under 18 years of age must obtain a youth employment certificate (work permit) when employed even if employed by their parents. The certificate and the issuing instructions can be obtained from the North Carolina Department of Labor Website.

How many hours can a 15 year old work in NC in the summer?

For Minors Under 16: 8 hours of work per day and 40 per week are permitted when school is off. During a school week, 3 hours of work are permitted per day and up to 18 hours per week.

How many hours can a 15 year old work during school?

15 to 16 year olds can only work for up to 8 hours per day and up to 35 hours a week in the holidays.