Information On Minors And Employment

1. Labor Commissioner's Office

Entertainment Industry Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Requirements

Beginning January 1, 2019, all talent agencies operating in California must provide their artists with educational materials on sexual harassment prevention, retaliation, reporting resources, nutrition and eating disorders.

Applicants for entertainment work permits for minors between the ages of 14 and 17 must also complete sexual harassment prevention training before obtaining a minor’s entertainment work permit.

• More information on sexual harassment prevention training requirements in the entertainment industry

Information on Minors and Employment

Almost all minors under the age of 18 are subject to California's child labor protections. Under the California Labor Code, "minor" is defined as any person under the age of 18 years required to attend school under the provisions of the Education Code, and any person under age six. "Dropouts" are subject to California's compulsory education laws, and thus are subject to all state child labor law requirements. Emancipated minors, while subject to all California's child labor laws, may apply for a work permit without their parents' permission.

Child Labor Laws

The Labor Commissioner's child labor law booklet contains comprehensive information about child labor laws, school attendance, wage, hour, and age requirements, restrictions, employer requirements and work permits. It also includes references and links to the state Labor Code, the Education Code and other relevant laws and regulations.

A table summarizing child labor law requirements and restrictions categorized by age, and penalties for violating child labor laws is also posted for reference.

Work Permits

Except in limited circumstances defined in law and summarized in the Child Labor Law Booklet, all minors under 18 years of age employed in the state of California must have a permit to work.

Prior to permitting a minor to work, employers must possess a valid Permit to Employ and Work. The Permit to Employ and Work are issued on the same form. A Permit to Employ and Work in industries other than entertainment is usually issued by an authorized person at the minor's school. During summer months or when school is not in session the work permit is obtained from the superintendent of the school district in which the minor resides.

Typically, after an employer agrees to hire a minor, the minor obtains from his or her school a Department of Education form entitled "Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit". The form must be completed by the minor and the employer and signed by the minor's parent or guardian and the employer. After returning the completed and signed form to the school, school officials may issue the permit to employ and work.

Permits issued during the school year expire five days after the opening of the next succeeding school year and must be renewed.

Entertainment Work Permits

Minors aged 15 days to 18 years employed in the entertainment industry must have a permit to work, and employers must have a permit to employ, both permits being issued by the Labor Commissioner's Office. These permits are also required for minors making phonographic recordings or who are employed as advertising or photographic models. Permits are required even when the entertainment is noncommercial in nature.

• Request an Entertainment Work Permit for a minor
• Entertainment Industry Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Requirements
• Request Entertainment Permit to Employ Minors
• Request a permit to provide services to a minor for the entertainment business

December 2020

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The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recognizes the importance of communicating effectively with individuals, including those with limited English proficiency. DIR is making an effort to provide meaningful services for individuals that speak languages other than English.

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  Office Name	Topic	Phone Numbers
  Cal/OSHA	Workplace Safety and Health	833-579-0927
  Labor Commissioner's Office	Wages, breaks, retaliation and labor laws	833-526-4636
  Division of Workers' Compensation	Benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses	1-800-736-7401
  Office of the Director	Any other topic related to the Department of Industrial Relations	844-522-6734

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