How to Obtain a Work Permit in North Carolina
In North Carolina, individuals under the age of 18 are required to have a youth employment certificate, also known as a work permit, before they can begin working. This is to ensure that they are aware of specific prohibited jobs and hour restrictions for youth employees. Here are the steps to obtaining a work permit in North Carolina:
Step 1: Obtain a Certificate of Youth Employment
Visit the North Carolina Department of Labor (DOL) website, https://www.labor.nc.gov, and look for the link to apply for a youth employment certificate. You will need to accurately fill out the job description on the application form, and print and sign it.
Step 2: Employer Completes the Online Process
Once you have received a job offer, you must give your Youth Employment Identification (YEID) number to your employer, who will then visit the DOL website and select the employer page to start the process of obtaining a Youth Employment Certificate.
Step 3: Digital Certificate Signatures from Employer and Minor
After the employer completes and signs the certificate, you will receive an email asking for your electronic signature and the contact information for your parents or guardians.
Step 4: Certificate Signed by Parents or Guardian
Once your electronic signature has been completed, a prompt will be sent to your parent or guardian to sign the certificate. After all, parties have digitally signed the certificate, you can start working.
Note that while working, you may be asked to show proof of your age. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, proof of birth, ID card, or state ID card for North Carolina.
Also, there are rules that govern the duration and permitted work hours for 14 and 15-year-olds. During the school year, they can work for three hours a day between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., for a maximum of 18 hours per week. However, between June 1 and Labor Day, they can work any given workday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. While teenagers under 18 may work in most office settings, retail, and food service companies, they are not allowed to work in processing, mining, or other hazardous industries.
Rules for Youth Employment in North Carolina Regarding the Duration and Permitted Work Hours
When school is in session, 14 and 15-year-olds in North Carolina are only permitted to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for three hours each day. Additionally, 14 and 15-year-olds are not permitted to work more than 18 hours each week when school is in session.
14 and 15-year-olds are allowed to work any given workday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day. Teenagers may work in most office settings, retail, and food service companies if they are at least 13 years old and under 18. However, due to the hazardous nature of the work being done, they may not be able to work in processing, mining, or construction.
Additionally, 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to work for longer hours and in a wider range of occupations, but they must still obtain a work permit before starting work. They are allowed to work in most jobs except for those that have been deemed hazardous by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Conclusion
Obtaining a work permit in North Carolina is a straightforward process that requires a youth employment certificate. Aspiring teenage workers can apply for the certificate online and obtain the necessary signatures from their employer and parents or legal guardians. However, it is important to note that there are strict regulations regarding the work hours and occupations that young workers are allowed to engage in.