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Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
The North Carolina Department of Labor, Labor Standards Bureau administers the child labor laws.
Work age
Youths must be:
- 12 for delivering newspapers
- 14 for jobs permitted under federal laws for 14-year-olds
- 16 where liquor is sold, works on outside grounds and does not prepare, serve, dispense, or sell liquor (14 with parental permission)
- 18 to prepare, serve, dispense, or sell liquor and for all other jobs
Work hours
Youths under age 16 may work:
- 7 am to 7 pm (9 pm when school is not in session)
- 3 hours/day when school is in session for youth 12 and 13 for newspaper delivery
- 3 hours/day, 18 hours/week when school is in session for youth under 15 and for newspaper delivery
- 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week
Youths under age 18 may work:
5 am to 11 pm (after 11 pm with written consent of parent and school principal).
Breaks
Youth under age 16 must be given a 30-minute break every 5 hours.
Permits
Youth under age 18 must have an employment certificate issued by the county Director of Social Services, Department of Labor, or designee. Employer must keep records of wages, hours, and other conditions and practices of employment.
Postings
Employers must post a summary of child labor laws.
State
Contact
Regulations
Wage and Hour Act
NC General Statute – Chapter 95, Article 2A – Youth employment (§95-25.5)
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