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Can you work at 14 in Virginia?

In Virginia, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 16 (from Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (online)). 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.

State law · checked October 2026

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

Work permit in Virginia

After a firm job offer, the 14- or 15-year-old, the employer and a parent or guardian each register in the Virginia Electronic Employment Certificate System (VAeECS). Once all three parts are done, a DOLI compliance officer usually reviews it within 24 hours. The certificate is issued to the employer and is valid once the youth signs it. Paper forms also work: the parent's Permission to Employ form and the employer's Intent to Employ form, submitted together. Employers must keep proof of age, time records and signed certificates. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Virginia

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 hNo limit
School week18 hNo limit
Non-school day8 hNo limit
Non-school week40 hNo limit
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Labor DayNo limit

No work during school hours unless in a school work-training program. Virginia's hour rules for under-16s must match federal FLSA standards (§40.1-80.1(A)). No state limits beyond federal (none for 16–17).

Breaks: A 30-minute rest or meal period after 5 hours in a row (§40.1-80.1(B); DOLI lists it among the rules for 14–15-year-olds).

Recent law changes

  1. 2026 amendments to §40.1-100 (Acts 2026, cc. 98, 99, 269, including SB 10) let 16- and 17-year-olds join apprenticeships or work-based learning in culinary arts or IT. Conditions: they stay enrolled in school and are on track to graduate, are registered apprentices, are in a §40.1-89 work-training program, and do no work barred by federal or hazardous-occupation rules. Date assumes Virginia's default July 1 effective date. Source

  2. HB 1667 / SB 1228 (Acts 2025, c. 185): 16- and 17-year-olds may also work in licensed barbershops and cosmetology salons through a school work-training program or with a barber or cosmetology license. The 2023 exemption covered only registered apprentices. Source

  3. HB 2401 / SB 998 (Acts 2025, cc. 699, 705) added protections for children under 16 in content creation: record-keeping, a share of earnings held in trust until age 18, adult supervision, and no hazardous work (new §§40.1-109.1 and -109.2). Source

  4. HB 100 (Acts 2024, c. 369) raised child labor civil penalties to up to $25,000 when a child is seriously injured or killed (was $10,000), and $500–$2,500 for other violations (max was $1,000) (§40.1-113). Source

  5. Amendments to §40.1-100 (Acts 2023, cc. 275, 624, 625) let registered apprentices aged 16 and older work in barbershops and cosmetology salons, as DOLI describes them. Not every one of these chapters was checked individually. Source

Places that hire at 14 in Virginia

Places that hire at 15 in Virginia

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Virginia?

14 for most jobs. Under 16, a Theatrical Permit from DOLI is needed for paid performances. Newspaper carriers have their own rules (Va. Code §40.1-109). Since July 1, 2025, children under 16 featured in online content have their own protections (§§40.1-109.1 and -109.2). Under 16 can't work in manufacturing, warehouses, construction, or curb-service restaurants, among others (§40.1-100(B)).

Do you need a work permit in Virginia?

After a firm job offer, the 14- or 15-year-old, the employer and a parent or guardian each register in the Virginia Electronic Employment Certificate System (VAeECS). Once all three parts are done, a DOLI compliance officer usually reviews it within 24 hours. The certificate is issued to the employer and is valid once the youth signs it. Paper forms also work: the parent's Permission to Employ form and the employer's Intent to Employ form, submitted together. Employers must keep proof of age, time records and signed certificates.

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

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 Virginia?

Virginia 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 Virginia?

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: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), Child Labor Unit

  1. DOLI – Youth Employment (employment certificates, FAQs) (2026-10)
  2. DOLI – Legislative Changes Impacting Virginia Employment and Child Labor Laws (effective July 1, 2025) (2025)
  3. Code of Virginia, Title 40.1, Chapter 5 – Child Labor (as of 2026-10-10) (2026-10-10)
  4. Va. Code §40.1-80.1 – Employment of children (hours; lunch period) (2026-10-10)
  5. Va. Code §40.1-100 – Certain employment prohibited or limited (2026-10-10)
  6. US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15 (2025-07-15)
  7. US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (VA: under 16, mandatory, labor department) (2024-01-01)

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