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

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

Work permit in Tennessee

No state work permit. Tennessee doesn't issue work permits, but employers must keep proof of age on file for each minor (US DOL table). A 16- or 17-year-old who works past 10 p.m. before a school day needs a signed Parental Consent Form, which the employer keeps at the work site.

Hour limits for teens in Tennessee

	Ages 14–15	Ages 16–17
School day	3 h	—
School week	18 h	—
Non-school day	8 h	—
Non-school week	40 h	—
Time of day	7 a.m.–7 p.m. while school is in session; 6 a.m.–9 p.m. when school is not in session	Not during hours the minor must attend class. Not between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday–Thursday nights before a school day; with a signed Parental Consent Form, until midnight up to 3 of those nights a week.

The DOL table (as of 2025-07-15) puts it as 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. before non-school days. Federal law allows 9 p.m. only June 1–Labor Day and never before 7 a.m., so FLSA-covered employers must follow the stricter federal times. No daily or weekly hour caps (Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-5-105(b)). The consent form lasts until the end of the school year, the end of the job, or age 18, whichever comes first. Church-related school and home-school students may work during school hours with a director's letter (§ 50-5-105(c)).

Breaks: All minors scheduled to work 6 consecutive hours must get a 30-minute unpaid meal or rest break. It can't be scheduled during or before the first hour of the shift. The 'ample opportunity' exemption and break waivers don't apply to workers under 18 (Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-5-115).

Places that hire at 14 in Tennessee

Places that hire at 15 in Tennessee

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

Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Tennessee?

14 for most jobs. Tennessee's Child Labor Act covers minors 14 to 17 and bars them from hazardous jobs. There are exceptions for students in Work Based Learning programs. Child performers and minors in online content fall under separate laws not enforced by the Labor Standards Unit.

Do you need a work permit in Tennessee?

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

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. while school is in session; 6 a.m.–9 p.m. when school is not in session.

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

Tennessee limits 16- and 17-year-olds: Not during hours the minor must attend class. Not between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday–Thursday nights before a school day; with a signed Parental Consent Form, until midnight up to 3 of those nights a week..

Which jobs hire at 14 in Tennessee?

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: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Labor Standards Unit

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 Tennessee?