Working Under Eighteen
RCW 49.12.121 — a work permit with a parent's consent and the school's approval, and hours set by rule
In Washington, the statute does not list the hours itself. The Department of Labor and Industries may inquire into the wages, hours and conditions of minors' work at any time, and may adopt special rules for their safety, health and welfare, though those rules may not limit the hours of a minor emancipated by court order.
A work permit first. No minor may be employed in a covered occupation unless the department has issued a work permit, with the consent of the parent, guardian or other person with legal custody and the approval of the school the minor attends. Neither is needed for a minor emancipated by court order.
Pay. The minimum wage for minors is the one the minimum wage statute prescribes.
| The question | The statute's answer |
|---|---|
| The questionHours a minor may work | The statute's answerSet by the department's rules, not by the statute |
| The questionWhat an employer needs | The statute's answerA work permit, with a parent's consent and the school's approval |
| The questionA minor emancipated by court order | The statute's answerNo hour limits by rule, and no consent or school approval needed |
The department's own hour limits, prohibited occupations and the minimum wage figure are not 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 Washington attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- RCW 49.12.121 — Wages and working conditions of minors — Special rules — Work permits
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.