Child labor - Florida

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation administers the child labor laws.

Minors are exempt from Florida Child Labor Law if they are married or divorced, or if they have:

• Served or currently serve in the Armed Forces,
• Already graduated from high school,
• Earned a GED, or
• Been declared an emancipated minor by the court.

Youths under the age of 18 cannot work during school hours unless they are exempt, are given a partial waiver, or are enrolled in a school-work experience program, vocational education, or other program declared exempt by the state of Florida.

Work age

Youths must be:

• None specified for domestic work, farm work for parents, pages in the Florida legislature, or entertainers
• 11 to deliver newspapers
• 14 for most non-hazardous jobs
• 16 for door-to-door sales and certain hazardous jobs
• 17 to sell or serve alcohol
• 18 for all other employment

Work hours

Effective July 1, 2024, minors 15 years or younger may not work:

• Before 7 am or after 7pm when school is scheduled the following day.
• More than 15 hours per week when school is in session.
• More than 4 hours continuously without an at least 30 minutes for a meal period (a period of less than 30 minutes is not deemed to interrupt a continuous period of work).

Minors 16 and 17 hears old may not work:

• Before 6:30 am or after 11 pm when school is scheduled the following day.
• More than 8 hours per day when is scheduled the following day, except when the day of work is on a holiday or Sunday.
• For more than 4 hours continuously without an interval of at least 30 minutes for a meal period.
• More than 30 hours per week when school is in session, unless the parent, custodian, or school superintendents waive the limitation in writing.

These provisions do not apply to 16- and 17-year-olds who:

• Have graduated from high school or received a high school equivalency diploma.
• Are within the compulsory school attendance age limit and who hold a valid certificate of exemption issued by the school superintendent or his or her designee.
• Are enrolled in an educational institution who qualify on a hardship basis, such as economic necessity or family emergency.
• In a home education program or are enrolled in an approved virtual instruction program in which the minor is separated from the teacher by time only.
• Are in domestic service in private homes, employed by their parents, or are pages in the Florida Legislature.

Youths under 16 may work:

• 7 am to 7 pm (9 pm on non-school nights)
• 3 hours/day, 15 hours/week when school is in session
• 8 hours/day, 6 days/week, 40 hours/week when school is not in session
• 10 hours/day to 11 pm (1 am on non-school nights) for bat boys/girls

Youths 16-18 may work:

• 6:30 am to 11 pm on school nights
• 8 hours/day, 6 days/week, 40 hours/week (30 hours/week when school is in session)

No restrictions for high school graduates, pages, domestics, and children working for parents.

Breaks

Youths must be given a 30-minute break every four hours.

Permits

Youths under 18 must show proof of age by birth certificate, driver’s license, age certificate, or copy of passport or visa. Youth under 16 must have an exemption certificate to work during school hours.

Employer must retain proof of age for duration of employment.

Postings

Child Labor Law poster is available from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

State

Contact

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Professions

Farm and Child Labor Program

Regulations

Florida Statute Title XXXI, Chapter 450, Part I - Florida child labor regulations (§450.001-450.165)

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.

Department of Labor

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