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Can you work at 14 in Ohio?

In Ohio, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 18 (from School (the school the student attends, or the home school district for home-schooled or GED students)). At 14 and 15 you can work up to 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week. 16- and 17-year-olds also have hour limits.

State law · checked October 2026

No work permitPermit until 16Permit until 18Most jobs from 16

Work permit in Ohio

The student, a parent or guardian, and the employer fill out the Minor Work Permit Pre-Application. The student hands it in at their school. A physician's certificate is also needed, unless the student already had a physical for a school activity this school year. A permit (age and schooling certificate) is required for under-16s at all times and for 16–17-year-olds during the school term. A 16- or 17-year-old in a non-hazardous summer job (between school terms) doesn't need a permit. Instead they give the employer proof of age and a signed parent or guardian consent form (LAW1008). Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Ohio

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 h—
School week18 h—
Non-school day8 h—
Non-school week40 h—
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Sept. 1 and during school holidays of 5 school days or moreIf required to attend school: not before 7 a.m. on a school day (6 a.m. if the minor didn't work after 8 p.m. the night before), and not after 11 p.m. on a night before a school day. Door-to-door sales: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

No work during school hours, except approved school work programs. Ohio's summer window runs to Sept. 1. Under federal law the 9 p.m. limit ends on Labor Day, and holiday breaks outside summer stay at 7 p.m., so FLSA-covered employers must follow the stricter rule. Door-to-door sales: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. only. Not law: SB 50 (2025), which would have allowed 14–15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. on school nights with parental permission, was vetoed by Gov. DeWine on 2025-12-03 (no override found). No daily or weekly hour caps for 16–17. Only start and end times are limited, and only for minors required to attend school.

Breaks: At least a 30-minute rest period after 5 consecutive hours of work, for all minors under 18 (Ohio Minor Labor Laws poster, ORC 4109). Employers must keep records of start, stop and rest times for 2 years.

Places that hire at 14 in Ohio

Places that hire at 15 in Ohio

Company minimums combined with Ohio law. Franchise locations can set a higher age. “✓ seen here” means we found a real posting in Ohio.

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Ohio?

14 for most jobs. Ohio's minor labor law (ORC Chapter 4109) covers everyone under 18. Work permits are issued for ages 14–17. Some work is exempt; see ORC 4109.06. Under-16s may do door-to-door sales only for employers registered with the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Do you need a work permit in Ohio?

The student, a parent or guardian, and the employer fill out the Minor Work Permit Pre-Application. The student hands it in at their school. A physician's certificate is also needed, unless the student already had a physical for a school activity this school year. A permit (age and schooling certificate) is required for under-16s at all times and for 16–17-year-olds during the school term. A 16- or 17-year-old in a non-hazardous summer job (between school terms) doesn't need a permit. Instead they give the employer proof of age and a signed parent or guardian consent form (LAW1008).

How many hours can a 15-year-old work in Ohio?

Up to 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week, between 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Sept. 1 and during school holidays of 5 school days or more.

How many hours can a 16-year-old work in Ohio?

Ohio limits 16- and 17-year-olds: If required to attend school: not before 7 a.m. on a school day (6 a.m. if the minor didn't work after 8 p.m. the night before), and not after 11 p.m. on a night before a school day. Door-to-door sales: 7 a.m.–8 p.m..

Which jobs hire at 14 in Ohio?

AMC Theatres, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Publix, Culver's, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Hy-Vee and others hire at 14 at some locations.

Sources

State agency: Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance, Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration

  1. Ohio Department of Commerce – Minor Labor Laws poster (ORC 4109 summary, rev. 9/13/16) (2026-10)
  2. Ohio Department of Commerce – Minor Work Permit Application (2026-10)
  3. Ohio Department of Commerce – Physician Certificate for Minor Work Permit (2026-10)
  4. Ohio Department of Commerce – Parent or Guardian Consent Form (16–17 summer work, LAW1008) (2026-10)
  5. US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15 (2025-07-15)
  6. US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (under 16 at all times; 16–17 during school term; school-issued) (2024-01-01)
  7. News 5 Cleveland – DeWine vetoes bill loosening child labor laws (SB 50) (2025-12)

Federal rules (the Fair Labor Standards Act) apply too; where they differ, the stricter rule wins. General information, not legal advice.