Last updated: January 2026
Work permits, age minimums, and hour restrictions vary dramatically by state. Here's what you need to know before hiring your child.
Federal law gives parents broad freedom to employ their children in the family business. But state law often overrides those exemptions with stricter requirements.
This guide covers the key states where Kids Payroll users operate. Always verify current requirements with your state's Department of Labor. Laws change, and this is general guidance, not legal advice.
For background on how federal and state laws interact, see our Federal vs. State Child Labor Laws overview.
How to Use This Guide
For each state, we cover:
- Work permit requirements: Does your state require permits for minors, even in family businesses?
- Family business exemption: Does your state recognize the federal exemption for parent-owned businesses?
- Age and hour restrictions: What limits apply to children at different ages?
- Key considerations: State-specific quirks you should know
California
Work Permits: Required for ALL minors under 18, including those working for parents.
Family Business Exemption: Very limited. California requires work permits even for parent-owned businesses unless the child is receiving training without pay.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 12: Generally cannot work (exception for entertainment with permits)
- 12-13: Can only work during non-school weeks/days
- 14-15: Max 3 hours on school days, 18 hours/week during school
- 16-17: Max 4 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days
Key Considerations:
- California is among the strictest states
- Work permits must be renewed annually and when changing jobs
- Entertainment industry has separate (even stricter) requirements
- Schools can deny or revoke work permits for poor attendance or grades
CPA Recommendation: For California families, keep work strictly home-based and administrative for children under 16. The permit requirements and restrictions make physical workplace employment complex.
Texas
Work Permits: Not required for minors working for parents in the family business.
Family Business Exemption: Yes. Texas recognizes the federal exemption. Children can work for parent-owned businesses with fewer restrictions.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Can work in parent-owned business (non-hazardous only)
- 14-15: Max 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week when school not in session; limited during school
- 16-17: No hour restrictions
Key Considerations:
- Texas is more permissive than most states
- Hazardous work still prohibited regardless of family ownership
- Still recommend documentation and reasonable wages for IRS purposes
- Texas has no state income tax, but federal documentation requirements still apply
CPA Recommendation: Texas families have more flexibility, but should still document all work carefully for federal tax purposes.
Florida
Work Permits: Not required in most cases.
Family Business Exemption: Yes. Florida recognizes exemptions for family businesses.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Limited to parent-owned businesses only
- 14-15: Max 15 hours/week during school (30 hours during summer)
- 16-17: Max 30 hours/week during school (no limit during summer)
Key Considerations:
- Cannot work before 6:30 AM or after 11 PM (during school year) for under 16
- Weekend and holiday rules differ
- Florida has specific restrictions on certain industries (construction, manufacturing)
CPA Recommendation: Florida is relatively business-friendly for family employment. Document everything and stay within hour limits.
New York
Work Permits: Required for all minors under 18.
Family Business Exemption: Limited. Work permits still required. Some exemptions for agricultural work.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Generally cannot be employed (very limited exceptions)
- 14-15: Max 3 hours on school days, 8 hours other days, 18 hours/week during school
- 16-17: Max 4 hours on school days, 8 hours other days, 28 hours/week during school
Key Considerations:
- Work permits are color-coded by age group
- Original permit must be given to employer (no photocopies allowed)
- New York enforces hours restrictions strictly
- Some industries require additional permits
CPA Recommendation: New York families should strongly consider home-based administrative work for children under 16. The permit and hour restrictions make compliance complex.
Washington
Work Permits: Required for minors under 18.
Family Business Exemption: Very limited. Washington is one of the strictest states.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Very limited employment permitted
- 14-15: Max 16 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during summer
- 16-17: Max 20 hours/week during school, 48 hours/week during summer
Key Considerations:
- Washington explicitly limits hours even for 16-17 year olds during school
- Minor Work Permit must be obtained before starting work
- State has specific industry restrictions (agriculture, construction, etc.)
- Variance permits possible for specific situations
CPA Recommendation: Washington families should be especially careful. Home-based administrative work is strongly recommended for under 16. Even 16-17 year olds have significant hour restrictions.
Colorado
Work Permits: Not generally required for family businesses.
Family Business Exemption: Yes. Colorado recognizes federal exemption for parent-owned businesses.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Can work in parent-owned business (non-hazardous)
- 14-15: Max 6 hours/day on school days, 8 hours on non-school days
- 16-17: Limited restrictions
Key Considerations:
- Night work restrictions apply (generally before 7 AM or after 7 PM)
- Hazardous work prohibited regardless of age or family ownership
- Agricultural work has separate rules
CPA Recommendation: Colorado is relatively permissive. Document thoroughly and stay within daily hour limits.
Arizona
Work Permits: Not required for minors employed by parents.
Family Business Exemption: Yes. Arizona recognizes the federal exemption.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Limited to parent-owned businesses
- 14-15: Max 18 hours/week during school, 8 hours/day
- 16-17: No hour restrictions (but some night work limits during school)
Key Considerations:
- Arizona generally follows federal guidelines closely
- School attendance laws still apply
- Cannot interfere with education
CPA Recommendation: Arizona families have good flexibility. Standard documentation practices apply.
Illinois
Work Permits: Required for minors under 16.
Family Business Exemption: Partial. Work permits may still be required depending on circumstances.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Very limited employment (domestic service or agriculture only for non-family)
- 14-15: Max 3 hours on school days, 24 hours/week during school
- 16-17: Max 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week
Key Considerations:
- Illinois requires employment certificates for minors under 16
- Night work restrictions apply
- School-issued permits required
CPA Recommendation: Illinois families should get proper permits for any formal employment. Home-based work is simpler for under 16.
Georgia
Work Permits: Generally not required for family businesses.
Family Business Exemption: Yes. Georgia recognizes federal exemption.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 12: Limited to parent-owned businesses and agriculture
- 12-15: Max 4 hours on school days, 8 hours on other days
- 16-17: Max 8 hours on school days, no weekly limit
Key Considerations:
- Georgia has exempted farm work from most child labor laws
- Non-agricultural work has hour restrictions
- Cannot work during school hours if under 16
CPA Recommendation: Georgia is relatively permissive. Standard documentation practices apply.
North Carolina
Work Permits: Not required for minors employed by parents.
Family Business Exemption: Yes. North Carolina recognizes the federal exemption.
Age Restrictions:
- Under 14: Parent-owned business only (non-hazardous)
- 14-15: Max 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days
- 16-17: More flexibility, but some night restrictions
Key Considerations:
- Youth Employment Certificate may be requested by employers
- Night work restrictions during school year
- Cannot interfere with education
CPA Recommendation: North Carolina families have reasonable flexibility. Document and stay within hour limits.
Quick Reference: State Comparison
| State | Work Permit Required for Family Business? | Under-14 Employment Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Yes | Limited | Strictest state |
| Texas | No | Yes | Most permissive |
| Florida | No | Parent business only | Moderate |
| New York | Yes | No | Strict |
| Washington | Yes | Very limited | Strictest hours |
| Colorado | No | Yes | Moderate |
| Arizona | No | Yes | Permissive |
| Illinois | Yes (under 16) | Limited | Moderate |
| Georgia | No | Yes | Permissive |
| North Carolina | No | Yes | Moderate |
The Universal Recommendation
Regardless of your state, the safest approach for children under 16 is:
- Keep work home-based: Administrative tasks, digital organization, marketing photos/videos, simple computer work. See our 50+ legitimate tasks by age.
- Document everything: Time logs, task descriptions, photos of work being done. Use our complete payroll checklist.
- Pay minimum wage or above: Your state minimum, not federal. Review our reasonable wage guide.
- When in doubt, get professional advice: A local CPA or employment attorney can clarify your specific situation.
- Don't assume the federal exemption protects you: Check your state's specific requirements.
State Resources
Before hiring your child, verify current requirements:
- DOL State Contacts: dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/contacts
- State-by-State Comparison: dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/child-labor
- YouthRules!: youthrules.gov
Use our Tax Savings Calculator to see how much you could save by paying your children through your business.
Kids Payroll helps you track hours, document work, and stay compliant with both federal and state requirements, no matter where you're located.
Disclaimer: State laws change frequently. This guide provides general information as of 2026 but should not be relied upon as legal advice. Always verify current requirements with your state's Department of Labor or consult a local attorney.