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

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

Work permit in Rhode Island

Per the US DOL table (as of 2024-01-01), 14–15-year-olds need a special limited work permit and 16–17-year-olds need a certificate of age, both from the school. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-3 and DLT regulation 260-RICR-30-05-9 (in effect since 2025-02-04), 14–15-year-olds must also take a free training on workers' rights, workplace safety and workers' compensation to get the special limited permit. I couldn't open the RI Department of Labor and Training pages to confirm the steps.

Hour limits for teens in Rhode Island

	Ages 14–15	Ages 16–17
School day	3 h	9 h
School week	18 h	48 h
Non-school day	8 h	—
Non-school week	40 h	—
Time of day	Federal: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day (RI state law: 6 a.m.–7 p.m., until 9 p.m. during school vacation)	If regularly attending school: not between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. on nights before a school day; not between 1:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. before a non-school day

The DOL table (as of 2025-07-15) lists only 8 hours a day and 40 a week as RI's own limits. The 3-hour school day and 18-hour school week are federal FLSA limits, and they apply because they're stricter. Where state and federal times differ, use the stricter: no earlier than 7 a.m., and 9 p.m. only June 1–Labor Day. I couldn't check RI state sources directly. Per the US DOL table (as of 2025-07-15): 9 hours a day, 48 hours a week. These figures come only from the DOL table; RI DLT and statute pages were unreachable, so I couldn't confirm any separate school-week cap.

Recent law changes

February 4, 2025
DLT regulation 260-RICR-30-05-9 took effect. It sets up the mandatory free training that R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-3 requires for 14–15-year-olds seeking a special limited work permit (workers' rights, workplace health and safety, workers' compensation). The date of the underlying statute amendment wasn't verified. Source

Places that hire at 14 in Rhode Island

Places that hire at 15 in Rhode Island

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

Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Rhode Island?

14 for most jobs. 14 is the federal floor for most non-farm jobs. I couldn't reach Rhode Island's own sources (the DLT site and state statutes) to check state exceptions.

Do you need a work permit in Rhode Island?

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

Up to 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week, between Federal: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day (RI state law: 6 a.m.–7 p.m., until 9 p.m. during school vacation).

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

Rhode Island limits 16- and 17-year-olds: 9 h on a school day, 48 h in a school week, If regularly attending school: not between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. on nights before a school day; not between 1:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. before a non-school day.

Which jobs hire at 14 in Rhode Island?

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

Sources

State agency: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety (Labor Standards)

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 Rhode Island?