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Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards administers the child labor laws.
Work age
Youths must be:
- No age specified for agricultural jobs, newspaper carriers, errands and deliveries on foot or by bicycle, performers, self-employment, or for minors who are high school graduates or married
- 14 for non-hazardous jobs excluding those involving liquor
- 16 for most jobs involving hazardous work
- 18 for specific hazardous jobs, including working with explosives, driving, and youth peddling
Minors 16 or 17 years old may be employed in establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold (businesses with gross receipts from the sale of such beverages exceeding 25% of total gross receipts) provided that they are not allowed to take orders for or serve intoxicating beverages. They are not required to obtain a server permit. Work hours
Youths under age 16 may work:
- 7 am to 7 pm (6 am to 9 pm on non-school nights)
- 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week (3 hours/day, 18 hours/week when school is in session)
Youths age 16 and 17 may work:
6 am to 10 pm on school nights – not during school hours (12 am with parental permission up to 3 days/week)
Breaks
Youth under age 18 must be given a 30-minute break every 6 hours.
Permits
For employees under 18, the employer must have proof of age, an employment application, and starting and quitting times. For minors not enrolled in school or having a high school diploma, they must have a statement from school officials.
Postings
Employers must post a summary of the child labor laws, including current wage and hours.
State
Contact
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards
Regulations
Tennessee Code, Title 50, Chapter 5 Child Labor
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