Skip to page content
Wage and Hour Division

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

 
Quick Links
 

Child Labor

Overview

The federal child labor provisions, authorized by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, also known as the child labor laws, were enacted to ensure that when young people work, the work is safe and does not jeopardize their health, well-being or educational opportunities. These provisions also provide limited exemptions.

General Guidance

  • YouthRules! — Describes the requirements of the child labor laws as they relate to teens, parents, educators and employers.
  • Child Labor Bulletin No. 101 — Describes the occupational requirements for nonagricultural employment.
  • Child Labor Bulletin No. 102 — Describes the occupational and hours limitiations for agricultural employment for minors.
  • State Child Labor Laws — Links to state employment laws which also regulate the employment of young workers.

Fact Sheets

  • Amusement Parks (PDF) — Provides the child labor requirements for child labor in amusement parks and recreational establishments.
  • Cooking and Baking (PDF) — Information concerning cooking and baking activities under the federal child labor provisions.
  • Driving Automobiles and Trucks (PDF) — General information concerning the application for the federal provisions for driving motor vehicles.
    • Teen Driving (PDF) — Explains the child labor requirements for minors to operate motor vehicles.
  • Employing Youth In Restaurants (PDF) — Provides general information concerning the application to child labor in restaurants and quick service establishments.
    • Spanish Version
  • Farm Jobs (PDF) —Answers questions concerning child labor in agriculture.
  • Grocery Stores (PDF) — Provides general information concerning child labor in super markets and grocery stores.
  • Health Care (PDF) — Information concerning employing young workers in the health care industry.
  • Lifeguards (PDF) — Requirements for child labor under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Nonagricultural Occupations (PDF) — General information concerning employment in non-agricultural occupations.
  • Power-Driven Balers and Compactors (PDF) — General information concerning child labor as it relates to loading, unloading and operation of scrap paper balers and paper box compactors.
  • Recreation Establishments (PDF) —Provides the child labor requirements for child labor in amusement parks and recreational establishments.
  • Roofing and work on or about a roof (PDF) — Provides information on the employment of minors in roofing activities and on roofs.
  • Visits to Employers (PDF) — Provides general information about Wage and Hour Investigations.
  • Wood Processing Industries (PDF) — Preliminary guidance concerning changes under the FLSA that impact employment of minors exempt from compulsory school attendance laws in businesses where machine process wood products.

e-Tools

Publications

Interpretive Guidance

Applicable Laws and Regulations

  • Law
    • The FLSA — Establishes the child labor provisions for the employment of young workers.
  • Regulations
    • 29 CFR Part 570 Regulations of the child labor provisions under the FLSA.

Rulemaking Resources

  • NIOSH Hazardous Orders
    • Former Administrator McCutchen’s Response to NIOSH Recommendations
    • SiloSmashers Determination of the Costs and Benefits of Implementing NIOSH Recommendations Relating to Child Labor Hazardous Orders

Presentations

Child Labor CMP Assessment Amounts