Overview of Child Labor Laws in Ohio
Ohio’s child labor laws are designed to balance the opportunity for minors to gain work experience with the need to safeguard their education, health, and safety. Administered by the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance, these laws set minimum ages for employment, require work permits, restrict work hours, and prohibit hazardous occupations.
Employers in Ohio must also comply with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). When state and federal rules differ, the stricter standard applies. For example, Ohio limits work hours for minors more closely than federal law in many cases.
Minimum Working Age in Ohio
Ohio sets the minimum working age at 14. However, younger minors may work in limited roles under special conditions:
- Under 14: Employment is generally prohibited, with exceptions for casual babysitting, newspaper delivery, working in a family business, and agricultural work outside school hours.
- Ages 14–15: Permitted to work in approved, non-hazardous jobs such as retail, food service, or office work, subject to hour restrictions.
- Ages 16–17: May work in more industries and longer hours, but remain barred from hazardous occupations.
- 18 and older: Not subject to child labor laws.
Work Permits for Minors
Minors under 18 who are enrolled in school must obtain a valid Age and Schooling Certificate (work permit) before they begin employment.
Steps to obtain a work permit in Ohio:
- The minor receives a job offer from an employer.
- The parent or guardian completes and signs the application form.
- A physician provides a medical certificate confirming the minor is fit for employment.
- The school issues the work permit after verifying age, academic status, and a health certificate.
- The employer must keep the work permit on file at the workplace.
Permits remain valid as long as the student is enrolled and employed, but they must be updated for each new job.
Hour Restrictions for Minors
Ohio sets strict limits on the hours minors can work, with separate rules depending on age and whether school is in session.
| Age Group | When School is in Session | When School is Not in Session | Permitted Hours |
| 14–15 | Up to 3 hours per school day; 18 hours per school week | Up to 8 hours per day; 40 hours per week | Between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM (extended to 9:00 PM June 1–Labor Day) |
| 16–17 (enrolled in school) | No more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week when school is in session | Up to 48 hours per week | Between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM on nights before school; extended with parental and school consent |
| 16–17 (not enrolled in school) | No restrictions under state law, but federal FLSA still applies | No restrictions | Subject to hazardous job prohibitions |
Additional requirements:
- Minors must receive a 30-minute uninterrupted break for every 5 consecutive hours worked.
- Employers must post a list of minors’ work schedules in a conspicuous place at the worksite.
Prohibited Jobs for Minors
Ohio law and federal regulations prohibit minors from working in hazardous occupations. Restrictions vary by age.
| Age Group | Prohibited Occupations |
| Under 14 | All employment except casual babysitting, newspaper delivery, family business, and limited farm work |
| Ages 14–15 | Manufacturing, mining, construction, operating motor vehicles, warehousing, use of power-driven machinery, cooking over open flames, loading/unloading trucks, public messenger service |
| Ages 16–17 | Hazardous jobs defined by federal law, including driving as a primary duty, roofing, demolition, excavation, operating heavy machinery, meat processing, handling explosives, and exposure to radioactive substances |
| All Minors | Occupations involving alcohol sales, gambling establishments, sexually oriented businesses, and any environment posing a clear health or safety risk |
Industry-specific rules also apply; for example, minors are prohibited from operating meat slicers in restaurants or handling certain pesticides in agriculture.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violating Ohio’s child labor laws can lead to significant consequences for employers.
- Civil penalties: Fines up to $750 per violation for standard offenses. Repeated violations can result in penalties of $1,000 or more per occurrence.
- Criminal penalties: Willful violations may result in misdemeanor charges, with fines and possible jail time.
- Federal penalties: The U.S. Department of Labor can impose fines up to $15,138 per violation, or $68,801 if a violation results in serious injury or death.
- Employer liability: Employers may also face lawsuits, license revocation, and reputational damage.
Parents are generally not penalised unless they employ their children in hazardous roles without permits or oversight.
HR Notifications and Documentation
Employers in Ohio are required to maintain detailed records of minor employees and notify relevant authorities as needed.
| Document | Retention Period | Storage | Update Schedule |
| Age and Schooling Certificates (Work Permits) | Duration of employment + 2 years | On-site personnel files | For each new job |
| Age Verification Documents | Duration of employment | Secure HR files | At time of hire |
| Time & Payroll Records | Minimum 3 years | Daily work logs/payroll systems | Updated daily |
| Parental Consent Forms | Employment period + 2 years | Signed originals in HR files | With each permit application |
| Break and Rest Period Logs | Employment period | Available for inspection | Daily |
| Incident or Injury Reports | Permanent | Filed with HR/legal | Immediately upon occurrence |
Notification requirements:
- Schools: Employers must submit work permit details and changes in work schedules.
- Parents/Guardians: Must be informed of schedule changes, injuries, or disciplinary issues.
- State Authorities: Serious violations or workplace injuries involving minors must be reported promptly.
Got questions?
The minimum employment age in Ohio is 14. Children under 14 are restricted to specific roles, such as babysitting, family business work, newspaper delivery, or agricultural jobs, outside of school hours. All other employment for those under 14 is prohibited.
Yes. Any minor under 18 years of age enrolled in school must obtain an Age and Schooling Certificate before commencing work. This requires a job offer, parental consent, and a physician’s certificate. Employers must keep the permit on file at the workplace.
Not on school nights. Minors aged 16–17 may work until 11:00 PM on the day before a school day. On non-school nights, they may work later, provided they adhere to their weekly hour limits. Exceptions may be granted with the consent of both parents and the school.
Employers may face civil fines up to $750 per violation, escalating for repeated offenses. Federal penalties can exceed $15,000 per violation, or over $68,000 if violations result in serious injury or death. Criminal charges may also apply for willful violations.
Yes. Minors may work for family businesses under certain conditions, provided the work is non-hazardous and does not pose a risk to their health or safety. Hour restrictions and school attendance rules still apply. Hazardous duties, such as construction, roofing, or operating power-driven machinery, remain prohibited, even in family-owned operations.
