Student Work Permits

Employment Certificates
An Employment Certificate (student non-factory, student general, or full-time) may be used for an unlimited number of successive job placements in lawful employment permitted by the particular type of certificate.

A Non-Factory Employment Certificate is valid for two years from the date of issuance or until the student turns 16 years old, with the exception of a Limited Employment Certificate.

A Limited Employment Certificate is valid for a maximum of six months unless the limitation noted by the physician is permanent, then the certificate will remain valid until the minor changes jobs. It may be accepted only by the employer indicated on the certificate.

A new Certificate of Physical Fitness is required when applying for a different type of employment certificate, if more than 12 months have elapsed since the previous physical for employment.

An employer shall retain the certificate on file for the duration of the minor's employment. Upon termination of employment or expiration of the employment certificate's period of validity, the certificate shall be returned to the minor. A certificate may be revoked by school district officials for cause.

A minor who is 14 years old and over may be employed as a caddy, babysitter, or in casual employment consisting of yard work and household chores when not required to attend school. Employment certification for such employment is NOT mandatory.

An employer of a minor in an occupation which does not require employment certification should request a Certificate of Age.

Prohibited Employment
Minors who are 14 and 15 years old may not be employed in, or in connection with a factory (except in delivery and clerical employment in an enclosed office), or in certain hazardous occupations such as construction work; helper on a motor vehicle; operation of washing, grinding, cutting, slicing, pressing, or mixing machinery in any establishment; painting or exterior cleaning in connection with the maintenance of a building or structure; and others listed in Section 133 of the New York State Labor Law.

Minors who are 16 and 17 years old may not be employed in certain hazardous occupations such as construction worker; helper on a motor vehicle; the operation of various kinds of power-driver machinery; and others listed in Section 133 of the New York State Labor Law.

Hours of Employment
Minors may not be employed during the hours they are required to attend school.

Minors who are 14 and 15 years old may not be employed in any occupation when school is in session for

• more than 3 hours on any school day,

• more than 8 hours on a non-school day,

• more than 6 hours in any week,

• for a maximum of 18 hours per week,

• for a maximum of 23 hours per week if enrolled in a supervised work-study program approved by the Commissioner, and

• after 7 p.m. or before 7 a.m.

Minors who are 14 and 15 years old may not be employed in any occupation when school is NOT in session for

• more than 8 hours on any day,

• more than 6 days in any week,

• for a maximum of 40 hours per week, and

• after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m.

This certificate is not valid for work associated with newspaper carriers, agriculture or modeling.

When school is in session, minors who are 16 and 17 years old may not be employed for

• more than 4 hours on days preceding school days,

• more than 8 hours on days not preceding school days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays),

• 6 days in any week

• a maximum of 28 hours per week,

• between 10 p.m. and midnight on days followed by a school day without written consent of a parent or guardian AND a certificate of satisfactory of academic standing from the minor's school (to be validated at the end of each marking period),

• between 10 p.m. and midnight on days not followed by a school day without written consent of parent or guardian.

When school is in session, minors who are 16 and 17 years old may not be employed for

• more than 8 hours on any day

• 6 days in any week,

• a maximum of 48 hours per week

Education Law, Section 133 Employment: "Any person who knowingly makes a false statement in or in relation to any application made for an employment certificate or permit as to any matter by this chapter to appear in any affidavit, record, transcript, certificate or permit therein provided for, is guilty of a misdemeanor."

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