Rhode Island

Rhode Island Child Labor Laws 2025

Rhode Island’s child labor laws are administered by the Department of Labor and Training (DLT). It establishes the legal framework for employing individuals under the age of 18. The rules set a minimum working age, require 14-15-year-olds to have a work permit, limit working hours, and prohibit employment in hazardous occupations.

These state-specific rules work in tandem with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In cases when state and federal laws differ, employers must follow the stricter rules that provide maximum protection to the minors.

How the State Regulates Child Labor

Rhode Island leverages a multi-faceted approach to manage youth employment in its state.

Minimum Age: The state has set the general minimum working age at 14 years.
Work Permits: A “Special Limited Permit to Work” is mandatory for all working 14 and 15-year-olds issued by the minor’s local school department.
Hour Restrictions: This varies by age and if school is in session.
Hazardous Occupations: Both state and federal laws strictly prohibit minors from working in occupations considered dangerous. The DLT’s Labor Standards Division enforces these rules and can inspect places of employment to ensure compliance.

Relation to Federal Law

The state laws often align with or exceed federal FLSA standards in Rhode Island. However, employers must comply with either the law, whichever is more protective for minors.

For instance, while state and federal laws limit working hours for 14 and 15-year-olds, federal law is stricter. It permits only 3 hours of work on a school day versus the state’s general daily cap of 8 hours. In this case, an employer must follow the 3-hour federal limit on school days.

Minimum Working Age in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, the minimum working age is 14 years. However, some exceptions exist for jobs done outside of business or in industrial settings, such as:

Casual babysitting
Newspaper delivery
Domestic service in a private home

Work Permits for Minors in Rhode Island

To work in Rhode Island, minors aged 14 and 15 must obtain a Special Limited Permit. As of July 1, 203, employers are no longer required to collect a Certificate of Age for minors aged between 16 and 17.

The typical permit process involves:

The minor receives a job offer and collects an Intention to Employ a Minor form from their employer or the school department.
The employer fills their section of the form.
The minor takes the completed form, along with proof of age, such as their birth certificate or passport, to the school department in their city or town of residence.
The school then issues the Special Limited Permit to Work, which the employer must maintain in their record file.

Hour Restrictions for Minors in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, work hours are limited, strict, and vary by age.

For Minors Aged 14 and 15:

Maximum Hours (stricter of law applies, be it state or federal):
- 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week
- 8 hours on a non-school day or 40 hours in a non-school week
Time of Day:
- Minors can work before or after school hours.
- Minors must only work between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
- Working hours can extend up to 9 PM during school vacations and from June 1 through Labor Day.

For Minors Aged 16 and 17:

Maximum Hours:
- 9 hours per day, 9.6 hours in a workweek of 5 days, or 48 hours per week.
Time of Day:
- Must work from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM on nights preceding a school day.
- Hours can extend to 1:30 AM on nights not preceding a school day (for example, Friday, Saturday).
Rest Breaks: Must have at least an 8-hour break between two shifts.

Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Rhode Island

Both the state and federal governments restrict minors from working in hazardous occupations. The rules are strict for those under 16 years of age.

Category	Prohibited Roles (Summary)	Who is Affected
Hazardous Manufacturing & Processing	Work in any factory, including manufacturing and mechanical industries, and processing occupations such as filleting fish, and commercial laundry.	Under 16
Power-Driven Machinery	Operating or tending power-driven machinery, including shearing, sawing, and operating baking machines.	Under 18
Motor Vehicles	Operating motor vehicles or serving as an outside helper.	Under 18
Construction & Height-Related Work	Wrecking, demolition, roofing, excavation, and all types of work that involve ladders or scaffolds.	Most roles are for under 18. All construction for under 16.
Hazardous Environments	Work in tunnels, boiler rooms, or around radioactive substances or explosives.	Most roles are for under 18. All roles for under 16.
Fuel Dispensing	Working at service stations.	Under 16
Food & Beverage Service	Working in freezers or meat coolers (except for brief entry) and serving or selling alcoholic beverages.	Under 16 (freezers) Under 18 (alcohol)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any violation of the child labor laws can lead to significant state and federal penalties.

Parental Liabilities: Though parents must provide consent for a 14 or 15-year-old’s work permit, penalties for non-compliance are primarily charged against the employer.
Employer Penalties:

- State: The Rhode Island DLT may impose criminal actions against the employer in the event of violations. If a minor suffers injuries due to any violation of the law, they must be paid three times their compensation benefits.
- Federal: The U.S. Department of Labor can impose civil money penalties on the employer for each violation. These fines will increase for willful or repeated violations and can be substantial, especially if a minor suffers serious injuries or death.

HR Notifications and Documentation

It’s important to maintain all records as per compliance. In the event of any changes and post the required notices.

Document/Notice	What to Keep or Post	Retention & Update Notes
Special Limited Permit to Work	Valid permit for all employees aged 14 and 15.	Maintain a record file and return documents to the issuing school committee at the end of employment.
Proof of Age	Documents verifying the age of all minor employees.	Maintain in record for at least 3 years.
Time and Payroll Records	Accurate records of all hours worked daily and weekly, plus wages paid.	Must be retained for at least 3 years.
Work Schedules	Schedules to prove compliance with hour and curfew restrictions.	Retain for 3 years.
Posted Notices	Required state and federal labor law posters, including child labor provisions.	Must be displayed in a conspicuous place.

Got questions?

What is the minimum age to work in Rhode Island?

As per the state laws, all individuals above the age of 14 are eligible to obtain employment across the state. However, exceptions include casual work like babysitting or newspaper delivery, which do not have a set minimum age.

Do minors need a work permit in Rhode Island?

Yes, all minors aged 14 and 15 must obtain a Special Limited Permit to Work from their local school department before beginning their employment. As of July 2023, 16 and 17-year-olds do not require permits.

How many hours can a 15-year-old work on a school day?

As per the state laws, a 15-year-old can work for a maximum of 3 hours on a school day. They are not allowed to work during school hours, and their shift must not extend beyond 7:00 PM.

Can 16 and 17-year-olds work in any job?

No. While 16 and 17-year-olds have fewer restrictions than younger teens, they are still prohibited from working in federally-designated hazardous occupations, such as roofing, operating certain kinds of power-driven machinery, and driving a motor vehicle for work.

What happens if a minor is injured at work while in violation of a child labor law?

In Rhode Island, if a minor suffers injuries while employed in violation of state or federal child labor laws, the workers’ compensation benefits owed by their employer triple. This is in addition to other potential state and federal penalties.