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Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
The Arkansas Department of Labor administers the child labor laws.
Work age
Youths must be:
- None specified for youth working for parents when school is not in session, for delivering newspapers, or bat boys/girls
- 14 for most non-hazardous jobs
- 16 for most jobs involving machinery, manufacturing, mining, or working with dangerous materials
- 18 for all other employment, with the following exceptions
- 19 to drive school bus or serve and to handle alcoholic beverages (written parental consent)
Work hours
Youths under 16 years may work:
- 6 am to 7 pm (9 pm on non-school nights)
- 8 hours/day, 6 days/week
- 54 hours/week when school is not in session
- 10 consecutive hours/day
Youths aged 16 may work:
- 6 am to 11 pm on preceding school nights, until 12:00 midnight on nights preceding non-school days
- Between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on nights preceding non-school days (10 exceptions listed at 2.501(b))
- 10 consecutive hours/day, 6 days/week
- 10 hours in a 24-hour period
- 54 hours/week
- No restrictions for high school graduates or if married or a parent, nor for youth aged 17.
Permits
Youths under 16 must do not have to have a employment/work permit/certificate issued by the Director of Labor.
Postings
Department of Labor notice to employer and employee.
State
Contact
Regulations
Arkansas child labor regulations can be found in the Arkansas Code, Chapter 2, Arkansas Child Labor Laws, Section 11-6-101
Federal
Contact
The Department of Labor is the sole federal agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. Enforcement of the Fair Labor Standard Act's child labor provisions is handled by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department’s Employment Standards Administration.
Regulations
U.S. child labor regulations can be found in CFR 29:
Part 570 Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation
Part 575 Waiver of Child Labor Provisions for Agricultural Employment of 10 and 11 Year Old Minors In Hand Harvesting of Short Season Crops
Part 579 Child Labor Violations – Civil Money Penalties