Q: Do I need a work permit to work as a minor?
A: No. Wyoming does not require minors to obtain work permits. Your employer just needs proof of your age on file, such as a birth certificate or another form of identification.
Q: Can a 14- or 15-year-old work any shift if their parents approve?
A: No. Parents cannot override federal work-hour restrictions. For example, 14- and 15-year-olds cannot work:
- During school hours
- More than three hours on a school day
- More than 18 hours in a school week
- Before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day)
Q: Are the rules different for small businesses?
A: Almost all Wyoming employers must follow federal child labor laws. Only very small businesses that meet strict criteria (fewer than two employees, under $500,000 in annual sales, operating entirely within Wyoming) may follow state-only rules.
Q: Can minors operate basic equipment like slicers or mixers?
A: Many common machines are off-limits for minors, including:
- Meat slicers and grinders
- Food processors and mixers
- Forklifts and hoisting equipment
- Power-driven machinery like saws and metal-forming machines
Q: Can a minor drive for work if they have a driver’s license?
A: No. Minors may not drive motor vehicles for work.
Q: Can teens work unlimited hours during the summer?
A: No. Some limits change in the summer (for example, evening hours extend to 9 p.m. for 14–15-year-olds), but hour restrictions still apply.
Q: Do minors get paid a different minimum wage?
A: No. Minors must be paid at least the applicable minimum wage. Overtime rules also apply when working more than 40 hours in a week.
Q: If the job seems safe, can a minor do it?
A: No. Federal law specifically lists hazardous jobs that minors cannot perform, even with training or supervision. These include:
- Roofing
- Mining
- Excavation or demolition
- Logging
- Working with explosives
Q: What about Student Learner Agreements?
A: Student Learner Agreements (SLAs) allow eligible students to participate in approved training opportunities in certain extra-hazardous occupations while covered under Wyoming Workers’ Compensation.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Students must be 16–18 years old
- Students must maintain required academic and attendance standards
- Employers must remain in good standing with Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and the Secretary of State
- Job duties must fall within the allowable Hazardous Occupation (HO) exceptions under Child Labor Bulletin 101 and the Fair Labor Standards Act
For more information, including the extra-hazardous occupations allowed and the application process, please contact BusinessRisk@wyo.gov.
Q: Can minors work in family businesses?
A: Some exemptions exist, particularly in agriculture and non-hazardous work for parents’ businesses. However, minors still cannot perform hazardous jobs.Q: What happens if youth employment laws are accidentally violated?
A: Violations can result in significant federal fines. Penalties are much higher if a violation leads to serious injury or death.