Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Who is considered to be a minor?
A: A minor, as defined in the Pennsylvania child labor act, is an individual under 18 years of age.
Q: Must the minor appear in person before the issuing officer to receive a work permit?
A: Yes, if the minor has not yet graduated from high school. Minors who can demonstrate official proof of high school graduation do not have to appear before the issuing officer.The work permit certifies that the minor has personally appeared before the issuing officer and has been examined and that all papers have been examined, approved and filed. This certifies that all conditions and requirements for issuing a permit have been fulfilled. The work permit is then signed by the minor in the presence of the issuing officer.
Q: Does a parent or legal guardian have to appear in person before an issuing officer?
A: No. The Pennsylvania Child Labor Act indicates that the parent or legal guardian does not have to appear in person before the issuing officer.
Q: Does a minor need to have a job offer in order to obtain a work permit?
A: No. The Pennsylvania Child Labor Act does not have any language that would indicate that a minor needs to have a job offer in order to obtain a work permit. Of course, a minor can apply for and accept a job offer prior to obtaining a work permit. Once the work permit is issued, the minor may begin work. In all cases, when a minor is hired by an employer, it is the employer's responsibility to notify the issuing officer within five (5) days of such employment.
Q: What are the various types of work permits?
A: Under the current Pennsylvania Child Labor Act, only one type of work permit is issued. This is a wallet-size, transferable work permit, which is valid from the time of issuance until the minor turns 18 years of age.The minor provides a copy to the employer and retains the original.
Q: I am a minor and reside in Pennsylvania; however, I am a high school graduate. Do I need a work permit?
A: Yes. Under the new Pennsylvania Child Labor Act, a minor, who is a high school graduate, must obtain a work permit from the school district where the employer is located or at the college or trade school they are attending. This requirement covers all such minors including those attending colleges, universities, trade schools, or any other individual seeking employment who does not have a current work permit issued in Pennsylvania. High school graduates who possess a work permit are exempt from the work hour limitation for minors 16 years of age and older. They also do not need to have a signature from their parent or legal guardian on the application for a work permit as long as they provide official proof of such graduation.
Q: Can a school district refuse to issue a work permit, or revoke one, on the grounds of the student's academic performance?
A: Yes. Under the current Pennsylvania Child Labor Act, if in the issuing officer's judgment, the applicant cannot maintain adequate academic achievement if permitted to work during the school year, the application can be denied. Similarly, an issuing officer may revoke a work permit if it is the issuing officer's judgment that the applicant cannot maintain adequate academic achievement if permitted to work during the school year.