Overview of Child Labor Laws in Maine
Maine’s child labor laws aim to ensure that minors can work responsibly and safely, without compromising their education, health, or welfare. These laws are enforced by the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards under the statutes in Title 26.
When state provisions are less protective than federal rules, employers must default to the stricter standard under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Maine distinguishes rules by age groups, enforces work permits for certain minors, and bans hazardous occupations for those under 18.
Minimum Working Age in Maine
Maine sets 14 years as the general minimum age for most non-agricultural employment.
- Under 14 years: Generally prohibited from non-agricultural work, but minors as young as 12 may perform certain farm work (if not involving hazardous machinery or substances).
- Ages 14–15: May work in most non-hazardous businesses with limitations on hours and type of work, including a required work permit.
- Ages 16–17: May work in many more occupations, but remain barred from hazardous roles per state rules adopted to align with FLSA.
- 18 and older: Not subject to Maine’s minor work rules; treated as adult workers.
Work Permits for Minors
In Maine, minors under 16 must obtain a work permit before beginning employment.
Steps to obtain a work permit:
- The minor requests the permit from the superintendent of schools in their district (or designated school official).
- The superintendent or delegated official verifies that the minor is enrolled in school, not truant or suspended, and passing a majority of courses.
- Proof of age (birth certificate, passport, or other documentary evidence) must be submitted.
- The permit is signed and issued for a specific job and employer. The employer must retain the permit.
- If a minor changes jobs, a new permit is required.
The permit may be revoked if the minor fails to maintain academic standards or if employment violates child labor statutes.
Hour Restrictions for Minors
Maine law limits the number of hours and the times when minors under 17 may work, especially during school sessions.
| Age Group | School in Session | Non-School Days / Vacations | Permitted Work Hours |
| 14–15 | Max 3 hours/day, 18 hours/week; not during school hours | Up to 8 hours/day, up to 40 hrs/week | Between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM (extended to 9:00 PM during summer) |
| 16–17 | May not work during school hours; limited hours | Up to 10 hours/day when school is not in session | On evenings before a school day: until 10:15 PM; non-school nights: up to midnight; earliest start: 7:00 AM (school day) or 5:00 AM (non-school) |
Other constraints:
- A minor under 17 may not be employed during school hours (unless in approved programs).
- Employment must not begin before 7:00 AM on school days, nor before 5:00 AM on non-school days.
- On evenings preceding a school day, minors may not work past 10:15 PM, but on nights preceding non-school days they may work until midnight.
- Minors under 16 may not work more than 8 hours per day or more than 40 hours per week when school is not in session.
- They also cannot work more than 6 consecutive days.
Prohibited Jobs for Minors
| Age Group | Prohibited Occupations | Notes/Examples |
| Under 14 | Nearly all non-agricultural jobs | Limited exceptions: babysitting, farm work (non-hazardous), entertainment with permit |
| 14–15 | Manufacturing, mining, construction, operating motor vehicles, handling power-driven machinery, warehouse jobs, public utilities | Cannot cook with open flames, use fryers/grills, or work in mechanical rooms |
| 16–17 | Federally “hazardous” jobs: excavation, roofing, logging, demolition, exposure to explosives, operating heavy equipment, driving on public roads | May work in many service/retail roles, but prohibited from hazardous industries |
| All Minors (under 18) | Any job deemed “dangerous to life, health, morals” by Maine statute or federal law | Includes handling radioactive materials, confined space work, jobs with toxic chemicals |
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Employers who violate Maine’s child labor laws may face administrative, civil, or legal consequences. The state can issue fines or orders to cease unlawful work.
Because Maine’s rules overlap with federal standards, violating hours or hazardous work rules may also attract FLSA penalties, which are enforceable by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The work permit may be revoked, and employers must notify the director and the minor’s employer in writing.
HR Notifications and Documentation
Employers should keep accurate records and be ready for inspection under Maine law.
| Document | Retention Period | Storage Location | Update Schedule |
| Work Permit (for minors <16) | Employment + 3 years | HR / on-site files | New permit for each job |
| Proof of Age Documents | Employment + 3 years | HR/personnel records | Verified at hiring |
| Time & Payroll Records | Minimum 3 years | Payroll system | Updated daily |
| Wage / Hour Logs | As long as employed | HR/payroll files | Continuous |
| Compliance / Inspection Documents | Employment + 3 years | Compliance files | As received |
Employers must ensure that the permit issued matches the minor’s job and that the record is accessible for inspection.
Got questions?
Maine sets 14 as the minimum for most non-agricultural employment. Minors younger than 14 may still work in limited farm roles if they are exempt.
Yes. Minors under 16 must obtain a school-issued work permit, signed by the superintendent, before beginning any employment.
During school weeks, 14–15-year-olds may work up to 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week, with no work during school hours.
Yes, with limits. On nights before a school day, work must end by 10:15 PM; if the night precedes a non-school day, work may go until midnight.
Minors are prohibited from dangerous roles such as logging, mining, demolition, operating heavy machinery, working in confined spaces, or handling hazardous chemicals, as determined by state rules.
