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Can you work at 14 in Washington?

In Washington, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 18 (from Employer's Minor Work Permit endorsement (Washington Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service) plus a parent/school authorization form for each minor). At 14 and 15 you can work up to 3 h on a school day, 16 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week. 16- and 17-year-olds also have hour limits.

State law · checked October 2026

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

Work permit in Washington

Before hiring anyone under 18, the employer adds a free Minor Work Permit endorsement to its business license through the Department of Revenue, one for each location. For each minor, the employer fills in its part of the Parent/School Authorization form first. Then the minor, a parent or guardian, and a school official sign it. Summer-only hires use the Parent Authorization for Summer Work form. Forms expire September 30 each year and must be renewed. The employer also keeps proof of age on file, such as a birth certificate, driver's license, passport, or notarized parent statement. Emancipated 16–17-year-olds don't need the authorization form. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Washington

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 h4 h
School week16 h20 h
Non-school day8 h—
Non-school week40 h—
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Labor DaySchool weeks: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. (midnight on Friday and Saturday or the day before a school holiday). Non-school weeks: 5 a.m.–midnight.

6 days a week at most. During a school week, up to 8 hours on Saturday and Sunday. The 16-hour school-week limit is stricter than the federal 18. Any week with any school time counts as a school week. Minors working past 8 p.m. in service jobs must have a responsible adult supervisor on site. WAC 296-125. School weeks: 4 hours a day Monday–Thursday, 8 hours Friday–Sunday, 20 hours a week, 6 days. Non-school weeks: 8 hours a day, 48 hours a week, 6 days. With a special variance in school weeks: 6 hours a day, 28 hours a week. Minors who are parents, have a diploma or GED, are in a college program such as Running Start, or are in a CTE worksite-learning or Core Plus program may work non-school-week hours all year. Emancipated minors have no hour limits.

Breaks: Under 16: a paid 10-minute rest break, no more than 2 hours in a row without a meal or rest break, and an uninterrupted 30-minute meal break before 4 hours in a row. 16–17: a paid 10-minute rest break on shifts over 4 hours, no more than 3 hours without a rest break, and a 30-minute meal break before 5 hours in a row. Minors can't waive these. WAC 296-125-111 and -121.

Recent law changes

  1. SHB 1121 (2025 session) lets minors in certain education programs, such as CTE worksite learning, work non-school-week hours during the school year. Source

  2. ESHB 1644 (2025 session): L&I must suspend an employer's Minor Work Permit endorsement for at least 12 months after an order of immediate restraint, or after a citation for a violation that seriously hurt or killed a minor. Suspended employers can't bid on public works. Student-learner variances now need an on-site DOSH safety consultation first. New penalties for child labor violations. Source

Places that hire at 14 in Washington

Places that hire at 15 in Washington

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Washington?

14 for most jobs. Under 14 is allowed only in narrow cases: in a non-farm business owned entirely by the child's parent, with superior court approval; as an actor or performer; and, for 12–13-year-olds, hand-harvesting berries, bulbs, cucumbers and spinach in weeks when school is out. State child labor rules don't apply to public employers, casual labor around a private home, volunteers for nonprofits, or newspaper carriers (federal rules still apply).

Do you need a work permit in Washington?

Before hiring anyone under 18, the employer adds a free Minor Work Permit endorsement to its business license through the Department of Revenue, one for each location. For each minor, the employer fills in its part of the Parent/School Authorization form first. Then the minor, a parent or guardian, and a school official sign it. Summer-only hires use the Parent Authorization for Summer Work form. Forms expire September 30 each year and must be renewed. The employer also keeps proof of age on file, such as a birth certificate, driver's license, passport, or notarized parent statement. Emancipated 16–17-year-olds don't need the authorization form.

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

Up to 3 h on a school day, 16 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 Washington?

Washington limits 16- and 17-year-olds: 4 h on a school day, 20 h in a school week, School weeks: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. (midnight on Friday and Saturday or the day before a school holiday). Non-school weeks: 5 a.m.–midnight..

Which jobs hire at 14 in Washington?

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: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Child Labor Unit

  1. L&I – Hours of Work (updated for July 1, 2026 changes) (2026-10)
  2. L&I – How to Hire Minors (2026-10)
  3. L&I – Wages, Rest Breaks & Meal Periods (2026-10)
  4. L&I – Hiring Youth Under Age 14 (2026-10)
  5. L&I – FAQ: updates to child labor rules effective July 1, 2026 (2026)
  6. WA Department of Revenue – Minor Work Permit endorsement ($0 fee) (2026-10)
  7. US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15 (2025-07-15)
  8. US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (WA: under 18, 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.