# Teen work rules in Texas

In Texas, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. Texas does not require a state work permit. 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. There are no state hour limits at 16 and 17.

- Minimum age: 14
- Work permit: not required
- Hours at 14–15: 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week
- Hours at 16–17: no limits

## Recent changes

- null: HB 2459 (88th Legislature, 2023) changed child labor enforcement procedure only: who may appeal child labor orders, plus Commission review of appeal tribunal orders. TWC proposed matching rule changes to 40 TAC 817 in October 2024. Ages, hours and permits did not change. Effective date not confirmed.

## Employers hiring at 14 here

- AMC Theatres
- McDonald's
- Chick-fil-A
- Publix
- Culver's
- Dairy Queen
- Burger King
- Hy-Vee
- Fareway
- Rita's Italian Ice
- Arby's
- Jimmy John's
- Runza
- Braum's

## Sources

- TWC Child Labor Laws poster LLCL-70 (11/07), copy hosted by Texas Tech University: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/ccfcs/docs/Child_Labor_Laws.pdf
- Texas Labor Code ch. 51 – Employment of Children (TWC copy; blocked when checked, text taken from search excerpts): https://www.twc.texas.gov/sites/default/files/ui/docs/chapter-51-employment-of-children-twc.pdf
- TWC rules, 40 TAC ch. 817 – Child Labor (blocked when checked): https://twc.texas.gov/sites/default/files/ogc/docs/rules-chapter-817-child-labor-twc.pdf
- US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15 (TX under 16: 8-48; nightwork 10 p.m. (midnight before non-school day or in summer if not in summer school) to 5 a.m.): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/child-labor
- US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (TX: no provision; age certificates for under 18 on request, issued by TWC): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/age-certificates

Page: https://hiringage.com/texas/ — please cite with a link.