Minor Work Permit | California
Minor Work Permit | California Article
By Liza Elliott Ramirez | May 27, 2025
To obtain a minor work permit in California for non-entertainment industry jobs without an agent’s letter, follow these steps based on California’s labor laws and procedures:
Confirm Eligibility: The minor must be at least 14 years old (or 12 for certain jobs during school holidays or vacations) and subject to California’s compulsory education laws, meaning they must be enrolled in school or meeting attendance requirements. High school graduates or those who have passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or GED do not need a work permit.
Secure a Job Offer: The minor needs a job offer from an employer. The work permit is specific to the employer, job duties, and location, so this step is essential before applying.
Obtain the Application Form: Download or pick up the “Statement of Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for Work Permit – Certificate of Age” (CDE Form B1-1) from the minor’s school or the California Department of Education website (www.cde.ca.gov). This form is used for non-entertainment work permits.
Complete the Form:
The minor fills out personal information (name, birthdate, Social Security number, school details).
The employer completes their section, detailing the job duties, work location, and hours.
A parent or legal guardian must sign to consent to the employment, unless the minor is emancipated (emancipated minors don’t need parental permission).
No agent’s letter is required for non-entertainment work permits, as this requirement applies only to entertainment industry permits.
Submit to School: Return the completed CDE Form B1-1 to the minor’s school (or the school district superintendent’s office if school is not in session, e.g., during summer). The school verifies the minor’s academic standing, attendance, and health to ensure the job won’t impair their education or well-being. Some schools may require additional documents, like a current transcript or proof of a GPA of 1.6 or higher.
Receive the Work Permit: If approved, the school issues the “Permit to Employ and Work” (CDE Form B1-4). This permit specifies the job, hours (e.g., max 3 hours on school days for 14-15-year-olds, 4 hours for 16-17-year-olds, with weekly limits), and any restrictions. It typically takes 2-5 days to process, depending on the school or district. The employer must keep the permit on file, and it’s subject to inspection by school or labor officials.
Renew as Needed: Work permits expire five days after the start of the school year or if the minor changes jobs, requiring a new application.
Key Notes:
An agent’s letter is only relevant for entertainment industry work permits, which are issued by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), not schools. For regular jobs (e.g., retail, food service), no such letter is needed.
Schools have discretion to deny permits if the job is deemed detrimental to the minor’s health or education (e.g., low GPA, truancy).
For non-residents or private/charter school students, contact the local public school district where the minor resides to request a permit.
Minors in Work Experience Education (WEE) programs may have adjusted hour limits (e.g., up to 23 hours/week for 14-15-year-olds).
Sources:
California Department of Education www.cde.ca.govhttps://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ct/we/wpfaq.asp
California Department of Industrial Relations www.dir.ca.govhttps://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/entertainment-work-permit.htm
California Employment Law Report www.californiaemploymentlawreport.com
SHRM www.shrm.org
For further assistance, contact your school’s career center or the local school district office. If you’re considering entertainment industry work, let me know, as the process differs significantly.
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obtain a minor work permit in california
To obtain a minor work permit in California for non-entertainment industry jobs, follow these steps based on California labor laws:
Confirm Eligibility: The minor must be at least 14 (or 12 for certain jobs during school holidays/vacations) and enrolled in school or meeting compulsory education requirements. High school graduates or those with a CHSPE/GED don’t need a permit.
Secure a Job Offer: The minor needs a job offer, as the permit is specific to the employer, job duties, and location.
Get the Application Form: Obtain the “Statement of Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for Work Permit – Certificate of Age” (CDE Form B1-1) from the minor’s school or the California Department of Education website (www.cde.ca.gov).
Complete the Form:
The minor provides personal details (name, birthdate, Social Security number, school info).
The employer fills out job details (duties, location, hours).
A parent/guardian signs to consent, unless the minor is emancipated.
Submit to School: Submit the completed form to the minor’s school or, if school is out (e.g., summer), the district superintendent’s office. The school verifies academic standing, attendance, and health to ensure the job won’t harm the minor’s education or well-being. Some schools may request a transcript or proof of a minimum 1.6 GPA.
Receive the Permit: If approved, the school issues the “Permit to Employ and Work” (CDE Form B1-4), specifying job details and hour limits (e.g., max 3 hours on school days for 14-15-year-olds, 4 hours for 16-17-year-olds). Processing typically takes 2-5 days. The employer keeps the permit on file for inspection.
Renew as Needed: Permits expire five days after the school year starts or if the job changes, requiring a new application.
Additional Notes:
No agent’s letter is needed for non-entertainment jobs. Entertainment industry permits, handled by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), have different requirements.
Schools may deny permits if the job risks the minor’s health or education (e.g., poor grades, truancy).
Non-residents or private/charter school students should contact the local public school district.
Work Experience Education (WEE) program participants may have extended hour limits.
Sources:
California Department of Education (www.cde.ca.gov)
California Department of Industrial Relations (www.dir.ca.gov)
For further help, contact your school’s career center or district office. If you meant an entertainment industry permit, let me know for specific guidance.
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minor work permit for infants in california
In California, infants as young as 15 days old can obtain a work permit specifically for employment in the entertainment industry (e.g., acting, modeling, or appearing in motion pictures, television, or advertisements). Unlike standard work permits for older minors, entertainment work permits for infants are issued by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), not schools, and have strict requirements to protect the infant’s health and safety. Below is a step-by-step guide to obtaining a minor work permit for an infant in California, without needing an agent’s letter, based on California labor laws and regulations.
Steps to Obtain an Entertainment Work Permit for an Infant in California
Confirm Eligibility and Job Offer:
Infants must be at least 15 days old to work in the entertainment industry.
A specific job offer or role (e.g., in a film, TV show, or advertisement) is required, as the permit is tied to the employment details.
Obtain Application Form:
Download the Application for Permission to Work in the Entertainment Industry from the DLSE website (www.dir.ca.gov/dlse).https://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/employment-and-labor-laws/states/california/wage-and-hour/child-labor/entertainment-industry/
The form requires details such as the infant’s legal name (no stage names), date of birth, and specifics of the job (e.g., work dates, employer).
Gather Required Documents:
Proof of Birth: For infants under one month old, a certified birth certificate or hospital/midwife documentation is required.
Physician’s Certification (for infants under one month): A pediatrician must provide written certification that the infant:
Was carried to full term.
Was born at a normal birth weight.
Is physically capable of handling the stress of working in the entertainment industry (e.g., filmmaking).
No Agent’s Letter Required: An agent’s letter is not mandatory for the DLSE to process an entertainment work permit for infants, as the application focuses on the employer’s request and parental consent.
Complete and Submit the Application:
The parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the application, providing consent for the infant to work.
The employer must provide details of the job, including work dates, location, and conditions, and sign the application.
Submit the application, along with required documents, to any DLSE office:
In-Person (Recommended for Expedited Processing): The Van Nuys DLSE office (6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Room 100, Van Nuys, CA 91401; 818-901-5484) can issue permits the same day if all documents are complete.
By Mail or Online: Mail applications to a DLSE office or use the online submission portal (if available), but processing may take weeks. Include a pre-addressed, stamped envelope for mailed applications.
For jobs with immediate start dates, applications with valid proof of employment are expedited and issued within 1-3 business days.
Obtain the Permit:
If approved, the DLSE issues a Permit to Employ and Work for the infant, valid for either:
A 10-day permit ($50 fee, online only, for first-time registrants; not available for renewals or 16-17-year-olds).
A 6-month permit (free, renewable every 6 months).
The employer must keep the permit on file at the work location, and it must be available for inspection by DLSE or school officials.
Comply with Additional Requirements:
Coogan Account: Infants must have a Coogan Trust Account (not a UTMA account) to protect earnings, as required by California law. The agency or employer may need a copy of the account details.
On-Set Supervision:
For infants 15 days to 6 weeks old, a nurse and a studio teacher must be present for every three or fewer infants.
For infants 6 weeks to 6 months old, a nurse and studio teacher are required for every ten or fewer infants.
Work and Time Restrictions:
Infants 15 days to 6 months old may remain at the workplace for up to 2 hours per day, with no more than 20 minutes of work time (the rest for rest/recreation).
They may only work between 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Exposure to light exceeding 100 foot-candles is limited to 30 seconds at a time.
Studio Teacher: A studio teacher must be present to ensure the infant’s health, safety, and well-being, and they can refuse work if conditions are unsafe.
Renew or Reapply as Needed:
Permits are job-specific and expire after the job ends or at the end of the permit term (10 days or 6 months).
A new application is required for each new job or to renew a 6-month permit.
Key Notes for Infants
No School-Based Permits: Unlike work permits for older minors (12-17), which are issued by schools, infant permits for entertainment work are exclusively handled by the DLSE.
No Agent Required: While talent agencies often assist with applications, an agent’s letter is not a legal requirement for the DLSE to issue a permit. Parents can apply directly on behalf of the infant.
Health and Safety Protections: California’s strict regulations prioritize the infant’s well-being, with mandatory medical clearance, limited work hours, and on-set supervision.
Non-Entertainment Jobs: Infants under 14 cannot obtain work permits for non-entertainment jobs (e.g., retail, food service). Exceptions exist for certain informal jobs like babysitting or newspaper delivery, but these are not applicable to infants and do not require permits.
Sources
California Department of Industrial Relations, DLSE www.dir.ca.govhttps://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/employment-and-labor-laws/states/california/wage-and-hour/child-labor/entertainment-industry/
Expecting Models www.expectingmodels.com
California Department of Education www.cde.ca.gov
For further assistance, contact the DLSE office in Van Nuys (818-901-5484) or visit www.dir.ca.gov/dlse for forms and office locations. If you have specific questions about a job or need help with the application, let me know!
