Hiring ages › States › West Virginia

Can you work at 14 in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 16 (from West Virginia Division of Labor (age certificate)). 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 West Virginia

Since July 11, 2025, 14- and 15-year-olds need an age certificate from the Division of Labor, not a school work permit. On one form, the employer fills in Section A (job duties, equipment and a dated work schedule, plus a promise of a 30-minute meal break after 5 hours). A parent fills in Section B and attaches a certified birth certificate. The school principal or registrar fills in Section C (the parent does this for homeschoolers). The form goes to the Division of Labor, which completes Section D and issues the certificate. The minor can't start until it's issued. For 16–17-year-olds, a certificate is optional: an employer may ask for one as proof of age (it's required only for junior volunteer firefighters). Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in West 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, except approved work-experience programs. Up to 23 hours in a school week in a school-supervised work-study, work-based learning or WECEP program. The limits don't apply to high school graduates. W. Va. Code §21-6-7 sets the summer window as June 1–Labor Day; the Division of Labor's FAQ and reference guide say 'Memorial Day thru Labor Day'. Used the statute, which matches federal law. No state limits; 16–17-year-olds may work the same hours as adults (WV Division of Labor). No federal limits either.

Breaks: 14–15: a 30-minute lunch period before working more than 5 hours in a row (W. Va. Code §21-6-7(a)(7)). 16–17: same break rules as adults.

Recent law changes

  1. HB 4005, Workforce Development Act of 2026 (passed 2026-03-10, in effect 90 days later). Students in the Youth Apprenticeship Program (11th–12th grade or age 16+) may operate machinery for any occupation not otherwise prohibited. 16+ students in cooperative vocational programs may do supervised above-ground roofing work with parental consent. 16–20-year-olds may make supervised retail alcohol sales, but under-18s still may not work in a bar. Hours and permits did not change. Source

  2. SB 427 replaced county-superintendent work permits for 14–15-year-olds. Employers now need written parental consent and an age certificate issued by the Commissioner of Labor. It also repealed blanket work permits. Source

Places that hire at 14 in West Virginia

Places that hire at 15 in West Virginia

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

Get new teen jobs in West Virginia

One email when new jobs for your age open near you. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

For teens 13 and older and parents. We only use your email for job alerts — see privacy.

Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in West Virginia?

14 for most jobs. Children under 14 may work only in non-hazardous farm work, domestic service in the employer's home, a business owned solely by their parent or guardian, acting or performing, and newspaper delivery (W. Va. Code §21-6-1). Casual work for neighbors (babysitting, mowing) isn't covered.

Do you need a work permit in West Virginia?

Since July 11, 2025, 14- and 15-year-olds need an age certificate from the Division of Labor, not a school work permit. On one form, the employer fills in Section A (job duties, equipment and a dated work schedule, plus a promise of a 30-minute meal break after 5 hours). A parent fills in Section B and attaches a certified birth certificate. The school principal or registrar fills in Section C (the parent does this for homeschoolers). The form goes to the Division of Labor, which completes Section D and issues the certificate. The minor can't start until it's issued. For 16–17-year-olds, a certificate is optional: an employer may ask for one as proof of age (it's required only for junior volunteer firefighters).

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

West 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 West Virginia?

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: West Virginia Division of Labor, Wage & Hour Section

  1. WV Division of Labor – Child Labor (2026-10)
  2. WV Division of Labor – Child Labor FAQ (2026-10)
  3. WV Division of Labor – Child Labor General Reference Guide (July 11, 2025) (2025-07-11)
  4. W. Va. Code ch. 21, art. 6 (copy posted by Division of Labor; predates SB 427 for §§21-6-3 to -5) (2026-10)
  5. Enrolled Committee Substitute for SB 427 (2025), passed April 12, 2025; approved by Governor April 24, 2025 (2025-04-12)
  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 (lists WV as under 16, mandatory, school-issued; superseded by SB 427) (2024-01-01)

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