Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Oklahoma? Teen Work Rules 2026

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

Work permit in Oklahoma

Before starting work, a 14- or 15-year-old gets an Employment Certificate of Age and Schooling (Form 601) from their school. The student, a parent or guardian, and the employer complete Form 600 and return it to the principal, who issues Form 601. The employer keeps it on file. In summer the district superintendent issues permits. Minors who don't meet compulsory attendance rules can't get one. Ages 16–17 need no state permit. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Oklahoma

	Ages 14–15	Ages 16–17
School day	3 h	No limit
School week	18 h	No limit
Non-school day	8 h	No limit
Non-school week	40 h	No limit
Time of day	7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day	No limit

Only outside school hours. 3 hours on any school day, Friday included. 40 hours only in a week when school is out all week. No overtime. Employers not covered by the federal FLSA may let them work until 9 p.m. on a day before a non-school day. On a school day before a non-school day they may work 8 hours, and up to 40 hours in a school-session week if attendance isn't compulsory (ODOL FAQ; DOL table). ODOL: no restrictions on hours or times once a minor turns 16. No state limits beyond federal (none for 16–17).

Breaks: Under 16 only: a 30-minute rest period after 5 consecutive hours, or 1 hour in total for 8 consecutive hours. Employers must document these breaks. No break requirement for 16–17 (ODOL Child Labor FAQ).

Places that hire at 14 in Oklahoma

Places that hire at 15 in Oklahoma

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

Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Oklahoma?

14 for most jobs. State child labor law covers ages 14–17 in non-farm jobs. Exempt: farm work, working for a parent or a business a parent owns a stake in, and newspaper sale or delivery. Under-16s are barred from many jobs, including cooking or baking, fryers and grills, construction, power-driven machinery, loading and unloading, and warehousing.

Do you need a work permit in Oklahoma?

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

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–Labor Day.

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

Oklahoma has no hour limits for 16- and 17-year-olds; federal law doesn't either. Hazardous jobs are still off-limits until 18.

Which jobs hire at 14 in Oklahoma?

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: Oklahoma Department of Labor, Child Labor Unit

ODOL – Child Labor Unit (last modified 2026-07-02) (2026-07-02)
ODOL – Work Permit (Oklahoma Work Permit Instruction Guide for Schools) (2026-10)
ODOL – FAQs, Child Labor Unit (2026-10)
US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15 (2025-07-15)
US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (under 16, mandatory, school-issued) (2024-01-01)

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

Can you work at 14 in Oklahoma?