Ohio Child Labor Laws: Work Hours, Age and Permits
Short answer
Yes. Ohio limits when and how long minors can work under ORC Chapter 4109. Most jobs start at age 14 under federal rules. Workers under 16 face the tightest hours, and school-age minors need an age and schooling certificate, with a summer exception for 16 and 17 year olds.
Last verified: November 5, 2026 against the Ohio Revised Code, Chapters 3331 and 4109, and Ohio Department of Commerce Wage and Hour guidance
Child labor laws in Ohio decide who can work, when, and for how many hours. The rules are tied to age, whether school is in session, and the kind of job.
This page covers the legal working age in Ohio, hour limits for 14 and 15 year olds and for 16 and 17 year olds, work permits, breaks, banned jobs, pay and penalties.
Key facts
- Main law:
ORC Chapter 4109, with permits issued underORC 3331.02. - Ages 14 and 15: no work before 7 a.m. and no more than 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week.
- Ages 16 and 17: no daily or weekly hour cap in the statute, but no work past 11 p.m. before a school day.
- Break rule: a 30-minute rest period after 5 straight hours (
ORC 4109.07(C)). - Employers must post an abstract of the law (
ORC 4109.08). - 2026 pay: the state minimum wage is $11.00 an hour, but 14 and 15 year olds are tied to the federal $7.25.
What is the legal working age in Ohio?
The legal working age for most non-farm jobs in Ohio is 14, set by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Ohio then adds its own hour limits and permit rules for anyone under 18.
Younger children can still do casual work that the chapter does not cover, such as delivering newspapers to customers, mowing lawns and shoveling snow, or helping on a family farm.
Work hours for 14 and 15 year olds
Minors under 16 have the strictest limits in Ohio, and the rules depend on whether school is in session (ORC 4109.07).
| Limit | Rule for under 16 |
|---|---|
| Earliest start | 7 a.m. |
| Latest end, school year | 7 p.m. |
| Latest end, June 1 to September 1 and school holidays of 5 or more days | 9 p.m. |
| School day | 3 hours maximum |
| School week | 18 hours maximum |
| Day with no school | 8 hours maximum |
| Week with no school | 40 hours maximum |
A minor under 16 cannot work during school hours, except in approved work-study or vocational programs run to Ohio Department of Education and Workforce standards.
New since October 9, 2026: a 14 or 15 year old may now work until 9 p.m. on a night before a day with no school if a parent or guardian approves. The change came through Substitute House Bill 455 of the 136th General Assembly, after Governor DeWine vetoed Senate Bill 50 on December 3, 2025. Federal law still limits 14 and 15 year olds to 7 p.m. during the school year in many jobs, and the stricter rule controls.
Work hours for 16 and 17 year olds
Ohio sets no daily or weekly hour cap for 16 and 17 year olds, but school-night limits apply to minors who must attend school (ORC 4109.07(D)).
- No work before 7 a.m. on a school day, though work may start after 6 a.m. if the teen did not work past 8 p.m. the night before.
- No work after 11 p.m. on a night before a school day.
The hazardous-job bans still apply until age 18, which is why a 17 year old cannot do some tasks that an 18 year old can.
Do minors need a work permit in Ohio?
Yes, most school-age minors do. ORC 4109.02 bars employing a minor of compulsory school age unless the minor gives the employer an age and schooling certificate, which people also call a work permit.
The certificate comes from the school district superintendent or the chief administrator of the school (ORC 3331.02). Ohio now also requires a minor work hour notification form signed by a parent or guardian, and the Ohio Department of Commerce makes the form available to the public.
A 16 or 17 year old does not need a certificate for summer vacation work in a job that is not farm work or hazardous. The employer instead needs proof of age and a parent or guardian statement agreeing to the job.
Breaks and rest periods
An Ohio employer cannot schedule a minor for more than 5 consecutive hours without a rest period of at least 30 minutes (ORC 4109.07(C)). That rest period does not count toward hours worked.
Jobs minors cannot do
Ohio bans minors from jobs the director of commerce finds hazardous or detrimental (ORC 4109.05). The state rules and federal hazardous-occupation orders cover work such as operating certain power-driven machinery and working in demolition.
Adults are not covered by the same rest rule, as our page on Ohio break laws explains. Employers must also keep a list of the minors they employ at each location, in plain view, under ORC 4109.08.
Who is exempt from the minor labor rules?
The chapter does not apply to several groups (ORC 4109.06):
- Minors employed by their parents, in jobs not banned by rule.
- Minors who deliver newspapers to customers.
- Minors who hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Minors who head a household or support their own children.
- Minors who mow lawns, shovel snow or do similar work.
- Minors working on a farm run by a parent, grandparent or guardian they live with.
Pay for minors in Ohio
The Ohio minimum wage in 2026 is $11.00 an hour for most workers and $5.50 for tipped workers, rising to $11.40 and $5.70 on January 1, 2027. The Ohio Department of Commerce says 14 and 15 year olds, and workers at businesses under the annual receipts threshold, are tied to the federal $7.25 rate.
Penalties for breaking the law
| Violation | Charge |
|---|---|
First hours violation (ORC 4109.07) | Minor misdemeanor |
| Repeat hours violation | Misdemeanor of the third degree |
Hazardous job (ORC 4109.05) | Misdemeanor of the third degree |
| Missing rest period or posting duty | Minor misdemeanor |
A minor misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $150. A third-degree misdemeanor carries up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 (ORC 2929.24 and 2929.28). Fines collected go to the school district where the offense happened (ORC 4109.13).
Real-life examples
- A 15 year old at a Columbus grocery store. She can bag groceries from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday in October, which is 3 hours and ends before 7 p.m.
- A 16 year old at a Cleveland restaurant. He can close at 10:30 p.m. on a Thursday, since the cutoff is 11 p.m. before a school day, and he needs a break after 5 straight hours.
- A 14 year old at a family business. Working for a parent in a job that is not banned falls outside the chapter.
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| “Teens can work any hours with a parent’s note.” | Parent approval only opens the 7 to 9 p.m. window before a non-school day for under 16. |
| “16 year olds have no limits.” | School-night start and end times still apply. |
| “Ohio sets a separate minimum wage for teens.” | Only the federal $7.25 rate applies to 14 and 15 year olds. |
Frequently asked questions
What are the child labor laws in Ohio for a 15 year old?
A 15 year old can work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year, up to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week. Summer hours extend to 9 p.m. A work permit is required under ORC 4109.02.
What is the legal working age in Ohio?
Most non-farm employers can hire at age 14 under federal rules. Ohio then limits hours until 16 and requires a certificate for school-age minors. Parents’ businesses, newspaper routes and yard work fall outside the chapter.
How late can a 16 year old work in Ohio?
Until 11 p.m. on a night before a school day (ORC 4109.07(D)). There is no set cutoff on nights before a day off. A 16 year old also cannot start before 7 a.m. on a school day unless the 6 a.m. exception applies.
Does a 17 year old need a work permit in Ohio?
During the school year, a school-age 17 year old needs an age and schooling certificate. In summer vacation, a non-hazardous job needs only proof of age and a parent or guardian statement, under ORC 4109.02.
Do Ohio employers have to post the minor labor law?
Yes. ORC 4109.08 says an employer cannot employ a minor unless it posts an abstract of the chapter furnished by the director of commerce. Since July 2025 the abstract can be posted online where employees can reach it.
Can a teen work during school hours in Ohio?
Not under 16, except in approved work-study or vocational programs. The chapter bars work during school hours for under 16, and the school can set hours for a minor who shows serious hardship.
What changed on this page
- November 5, 2026: First published. Written against
ORC 4109.07as amended effective October 9, 2026. See our editorial policy and corrections page.
If this affects you
To report a job that breaks the hour rules, contact the Ohio Department of Commerce Wage and Hour Bureau. For a work permit, start with your school district office. For a workplace injury, contact the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
The Ohio State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an Ohio-licensed employment attorney. See also Ohio at-will employment rules and the Work and Pay section. This page is general information, not legal advice.
