Working Under Eighteen
Lab. Code 1391 — three hours on a school day under 16, four at 16 and 17, and 10 p.m. before school
In California, the Labor Code sets one set of hours for minors 15 and younger and another for 16 and 17, and both tighten while school is in session. A school day is any day the minor is required to attend school for 240 minutes or more.
| 15 and younger | The limit |
|---|---|
| 15 and youngerA day | The limitNot more than eight hours, and not more than three on a school day |
| 15 and youngerA week | The limitNot more than 40 hours, and not more than 18 while school is in session |
| 15 and youngerDuring school hours | The limitNot employed, outside an approved work experience program |
| 15 and youngerThe day's window | The limitNot before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., or until 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day |
| 16 and 17 | The limit |
|---|---|
| 16 and 17A day | The limitNot more than eight hours, and not more than four on a school day |
| 16 and 17A week | The limitNot more than 48 hours |
| 16 and 17Morning | The limitNot before 5 a.m. |
| 16 and 17Night before a school day | The limitNot after 10 p.m. |
| 16 and 17Night before a non-school day | The limitUntil 12:30 a.m. |
Work experience programs. A minor 16 or older and under 18 in an approved work experience or cooperative education program may work until 12:30 a.m. with the approval of a parent and the coordinator, paid at least the adult minimum wage for that time.
A misdemeanor. A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, or up to 60 days in county jail, or both; a willful violation carries a fine of up to $10,000 or up to six months.
Work permits, the exceptions for entertainment and newspaper delivery, and prohibited occupations are not all on this page. How these rules apply to a particular job, and the federal rules that may also apply, are questions for the state's labor department or a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Lab. Code 1391 — Working hours of minors
- Lab. Code 1391.1 — Late hours in work experience programs
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.