Hiring Teen Workers in Non-Agricultural Jobs
A summary of the basics can be found in these publications:
- Teens at Work: Facts for Employers, Parents and Teens (F700-022-000).
- Hiring Teens? (F700-142-909).
- Parent Authorization Summer Work (F700-168-000).
Steps a business must follow
- Obtain a Minor Work Permit endorsement through your Business License Application prior to hiring a minor. Go to the Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service website (bls.dor.wa.gov). You must post your Business License with current minor work permit endorsement. This must be renewed annually. Renewal notice will be sent by the Department of Revenue. Allow 2 – 3 business days for a response to online applications. Accuracy and completeness speeds up the processing time.
- Before permitting a minor to work, you must have the minor's parent or legal guardian and the school complete the appropriate authorization form listed below and keep a copy for your files. These forms can be obtained from L&I either online or by emailing teensafety@Lni.wa.gov.
- For employers only hiring youth in the summer, fill out the Parent Authorization Summer Work form (F700-168-000) because school information and signatures are not needed during summer break. It must be renewed annually if a minor returns to work from one summer to the next.
- For employers hiring youth during the school year, fill out the Parent/School Authorization form (F700-002-000).
- Obtain proof of minor's age. You must keep proof of age on file. Examples include a copy of a birth certificate, driver's license, baptismal record, or a notarized statement from 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
Hiring a teen into the family business.
These requirements also apply to teens working in their family business in non-agricultural settings. You can find more information in our family business fact sheet: If family members work for you, know your obligations (F101-077-909).
- Hiring teens in house-to-house sales.
Find out under what conditions and what the employer needs to do to hire teens in house-to-house sales.
- Hiring teens in theatrical employment.
Can a minor work in a theatrical or modeling job in Washington State? Find out under what conditions and what the employer needs to do.
- Hiring teens in sports jobs.
Teens and adults working as sports team referees and umpires are covered under our workers' compensation, wage and hour regulations. Teens are also covered under child labor regulations.
More information: Sports Teams and Youth Workers (F700-130-909). - Hiring a minor under the age of 14.
Under very limited circumstances, where the federal laws do not apply, it is possible to hire a minor under 14. Please see the Employing Minors Under 14 Fact Sheet and accompanying forms (F700-117-000).
Variances and penalties
- Can employers seek variances to the minor work rules?
Variances will be allowed for "good cause," that is, to meet a bona fide business need that only a teen worker can fill, when the business can show that the variance will not harm the minor's health, safety, welfare and school performance.
More information about variances and how to get them. - What is a special variance?
A special variance allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to 28 hours per week and up to 6 hours in a day. This can only be done with approval from the authorized school official and the parent. This form must be signed by the business, the parent or legal guardian, the school, and the student. School officials should not sign this form if the student's progress indicates additional hours would be detrimental to school performance. The form must be renewed annually. The form is part of the Parent/School Authorization form (F700-002-000).
More information about special variances and how to get them. - Are there penalties for violating minor work rules?
Yes! The Department of Labor & Industries can fine businesses who do not follow these requirements.
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) (app.leg.wa.gov)
