Youth Employment FAQ

When is the NH Youth Employment Certificate, also known as "Working Papers," required?

When is a Parental Permission Form required?

How do youths 12-15 years old get a New Hampshire Youth Employment Certificate?

If a 16 or 17 year old youth is not enrolled in school, how many hours can that youth work per day or week?

If a person is 18 and still in high school, are they considered to be a youth?

Is a student who is home schooled considered duly enrolled in school and do the school hours restrictions apply?

What are the hours that a youth can work during school time and on vacation?

What does casual work mean?

When calculating the hours per week that a minor can work, is the work week the employer's work week?

When is the NH Youth Employment Certificate, also known as "Working Papers," required?

The Youth Employment Certificate is required for any youth 12 to 15 years old and must be on file at the employer's place of business within 3 business days of the first day of employment. (RSA 276-A:4).

When is a Parental Permission Form required?

Employers are required to have on file at the work place, at the time employment begins, written permission by the parent or guardian of a 16 or 17 year old permitting the youth's employment. (RSA 276-A:4).

How do youths 12-15 years old get a New Hampshire Youth Employment Certificate?

First they find a job. Then the employer completes a form called an Employer's Request for Child Labor and gives it to them. The youth takes that form to their local school or school superintendent's office, or to their parent, to obtain a signed certificate (RSA 276-A:5), after the determination of a satisfactory level of academic performance by the student. The youth takes the certificate back to the employer.

If a 16 or 17 year old youth is not enrolled in school, how many hours can that youth work per day or week?

Not more than 10 hours a day or 48 hours a week at manual or mechanical labor in manufacturing establishment. Not more than 10¼ hours a day or 54 hours a week at manual or mechanical labor in any other employment that is not exempt by statute. No youth who works more than 2 nights a week past 8:00pm or before 6:00am is allowed to work more than 8 hours in any shift during that work week. (RSA 276-A:11 and RSA 276-A:13).

If a person is 18 and still in high school, are they considered to be a youth?

No, the term youth means any person under 18 years of age (RSA 276-A:3,II).

Is a student who is home schooled considered duly enrolled in school and do the school hours restrictions apply?

Yes, per New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 1001.03 Duly Enrolled in School.

What are the hours that a youth can work during school time and on vacation?

It depends on the age of the youth as to the hours they can work and when they are working. You can find the hours a youth can work under RSA 276-A:4,IV-VII, RSA 276-A:11, RSA 276-A:13 and New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 1002.03 Hours Limitations. Also refer to the "Hiring Youth Brochure" located on the home page.

What does casual work mean?

Casual work shall mean employment of a brief duration of no more than 3 calendar days for any one employer (RSA 276-A:4,II(b) and New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 1001.02 Brief Duration).

When calculating the hours per week that a minor can work, is the work week the employer's work week?

Yes, the work week designated by the employer is the same for all employees. (RSA 276-A:4,VI).