Texas Labor Laws for Minors (2026): Know Your Rights Before You Clock In

Most teenagers in Texas think they can work any job at any age. Spoiler alert: they can’t. Texas has some pretty specific rules about who can work, when they work, and what kind of work they can do.

Here’s the real deal. If you’re thinking about getting a job, your parents are hiring a teen, or you just want to know what’s legal—you need to read this. Breaking these laws can get an employer in serious trouble, and it might mess up a young person’s job prospects.

What Do Texas Labor Laws Actually Cover?

Think of these laws as a safety guide for teenagers. They’re designed to protect young workers so their jobs don’t interfere with school or hurt their health and well-being.

Basically, Texas says anyone under 18 counts as a “child” for labor law purposes. Once you turn 18, employers can treat you like any other adult worker. The state’s got different rules depending on your age. Fourteen-year-olds have way different limits than 16-year-olds.

Here’s what you’re gonna learn in this guide.

The Basic Age Requirements: When Can You Actually Work?

Let’s start with the bottom line. You have to be at least 14 to work in Texas. Period. No job at 13. No exceptions (well, almost).

If you’re under 14, honestly, you probably can’t get hired. But here’s where it gets a tiny bit more flexible.

The exceptions for kids under 14:

You CAN work if you’re doing one of these specific things. You can deliver newspapers if you’re 11 or older (newspapers only, though—not selling them). You can work in agriculture when school isn’t in session. You can work for your parents’ business if they own it outright. You can work in school-approved work-study programs.

Think of it like this. The law says no, unless you fit into a tiny approved category.

Wait, there’s more. Kids under 14 can do non-hazardous casual work if their parents say yes in writing. Casual employment means unscheduled, one-off type jobs. So raking a neighbor’s leaves? Probably fine. Working regular shifts at McDonald’s? Not allowed.

Work Hours for 14 and 15-Year-Olds: This Is Where It Gets Tricky

Okay, here’s the part that confuses most people. You turn 14, and suddenly you can work. But there are serious limits on your hours.

During the school year, 14 and 15-year-olds can work:

Maximum 3 hours on any school day. Maximum 18 hours in a whole school week. Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Cannot work during school hours at all.

During non-school time (summer break, winter break, weekends):

Maximum 8 hours in one day. Maximum 40 hours in one week. Still cannot work before 5 a.m. or after 9 p.m. (June 1 through Labor Day, you can work until 9 p.m.).

Sound complicated? Here’s a simple example. You’re 14, school is in session, and you want to work after school on Tuesday. You can work 3 hours max that day. But if you work Saturday and Sunday (no school), you can work 8 hours each day because it’s not a school day.

The weird part? Texas actually has its own rules AND federal rules apply too. The strict rule wins. So you have to follow whichever law is tougher on you.

Honestly, this is the part most employers mess up. They don’t understand the difference between school days and non-school days.

Here’s the important thing: You can ask for a hardship waiver if you absolutely need to work more hours. Maybe your family’s struggling and you need to help pay bills. If you get approved, the hour limits don’t apply. But you have to apply to the Texas Workforce Commission, get your school principal to sign off, and prove the hardship exists.

Work Hours for 16 and 17-Year-Olds: Way More Freedom

When you hit 16, everything changes. There are no hour restrictions at all. You could theoretically work 12-hour shifts, night shifts, whatever.

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But hold on. Just because you CAN work whenever doesn’t mean every job is legal for you to do. That’s where hazardous occupations come in.

What Jobs Are Off-Limits? The Hazardous Occupations List

Here’s what you need to know. Texas doesn’t let minors under 18 work in jobs that are considered too dangerous. The rules are strict about this.

For 14 and 15-year-olds, basically ANY hazardous job is prohibited. That includes stuff like mining, manufacturing explosives, logging, working at heights, or operating heavy machinery.

For 16 and 17-year-olds, there are still hazardous jobs you can’t do:

You cannot drive motor vehicles on public roads as part of your job. You cannot work in mining or logging operations. You cannot work with explosives. You cannot do roofing work. You cannot operate power-driven meat grinders, bakery machines, or saws. You cannot work in places where hazardous materials are made or stored. You cannot perform any job the U.S. Department of Labor has labeled too dangerous.

The rule about driving is really important. Some states let 16-year-olds drive for work, but not Texas.

Now, here’s something important. If you’re 17, you CAN drive for work in some situations. But the driving has to be occasional and accidental to your main job—meaning you’re only behind the wheel for a small part of your shift. Your employer needs documentation from you proving you can do this safely.

Pretty straightforward, right?

What About Sales and Solicitation Jobs?

Texas has special rules for selling and soliciting. And honestly, this one catches a lot of people off guard.

If you’re under 14 and unaccompanied by a parent, you cannot sell or solicit anything for anybody. That’s selling candy bars, raffle tickets, Girl Scout cookies—it all counts. The only exception is if you’re working for an exempt organization (like your school’s fundraiser) or your parents’ business.

If you’re 14 or 15 and you want to sell or solicit, your parent or guardian has to give written permission at least seven days before you start. That permission form is pretty official. Your employer needs it on file.

By the way, selling is considered a hazardous occupation in Texas. So even if other rules would normally apply, the selling rules take over.

What’s the Minimum Wage in Texas?

Good news and not-so-good news. Texas follows the federal minimum wage. That’s $7.25 per hour. Texas doesn’t have its own higher minimum wage.

Here’s something most people don’t know. You can be paid less than minimum wage for your first 90 days on the job. Employers can pay $4.25 per hour during that period. After 90 days, you have to get the full minimum wage.

If you work in a job where tips are involved, your employer can pay you even less (like $2.13 per hour) as long as your tips bring you to minimum wage. But honestly, that gets complicated, and you should ask your employer directly about how tipping wages work at your specific job.

You’re also entitled to overtime pay if you work more than 40 hours in a week. That’s 1.5 times your regular pay rate.

Breaks and Lunch Periods: What You’re Legally Allowed to Get

This one surprises a lot of teens. Texas law doesn’t require employers to give you breaks or a lunch period at all. Seriously. Your employer could theoretically schedule you for 8 straight hours with no break.

BUT—and this is a big but—if you’re under 18 and you work a shift that’s longer than 5 hours, your employer HAS to give you a 30-minute lunch break. You have to get that break.

Beyond that 30-minute lunch break? Your employer doesn’t have to give you anything else. No coffee breaks, no 15-minute rest periods. That’s all up to them.

Penalties: What Happens If an Employer Breaks These Laws?

Okay, let’s get serious. What happens if your employer hires someone too young, makes them work too many hours, or puts them in a hazardous job?

For most violations, it’s a Class B misdemeanor. That’s a criminal charge. An employer can face fines and potentially jail time.

If the violation involves a hazardous occupation, it’s a Class A misdemeanor. That’s even worse.

On top of criminal penalties, the Texas Workforce Commission can fine an employer up to $10,000 per violation. That’s administrative penalty money, separate from criminal court.

Let’s say an employer knowingly hires a 13-year-old to work after school. That’s a violation. They could get a criminal record and owe $10,000. They could also face lawsuits from the worker.

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The state takes this seriously. Investigators from the Workforce Commission can show up at businesses without warning to check on child workers. If you’re working, your employer better have your age documentation in order.

How to Get a Certificate of Age

Wait, do you need a work permit in Texas? No. Texas doesn’t require work permits. But here’s what you do need to know.

Your employer can ask you to get an official Certificate of Age from the Texas Workforce Commission. This is different from a permit. It’s just proof of your age. It helps employers protect themselves legally.

To get a Certificate of Age, you need to:

Submit a form from the Texas Workforce Commission. Provide a recent photo of yourself (about 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches). Bring proof of your age—a birth certificate, passport, school records, whatever.

Honestly? Many employers don’t ask for this. But if they do, it’s free and pretty easy to get. You just go to your local Workforce Solutions office.

The reason this matters is if an employer relies on a fake or incorrect Certificate of Age, they might have a legal defense if they get caught hiring someone too young. That’s not fair to young workers, but that’s how the law works.

Special Situations and Exceptions

Child Actors and Performers:

If you’re a kid actor working in theater, film, TV, or radio, different rules apply. You need special authorization from the Texas Workforce Commission. Regular child labor rules don’t fully cover entertainment work.

Agricultural Work:

If you’re doing farm work when you’re not in school, some different rules apply. You can work younger in agriculture than in other industries.

School-Supervised Work Programs:

If your school has an approved work-study or vocational program, you might be able to work under special rules even if you’re younger than 14.

Family Businesses:

Here’s a big exception. If your parents own a business, they can employ you at any age to do non-hazardous work. You don’t have to be 14. But it still can’t be dangerous work. And they still have to make sure it doesn’t interfere with school.

What If You Think Your Employer Is Breaking the Law?

Let’s say you’re working, and your employer is doing something illegal. Maybe they’re making you work during school hours, or they’ve got you doing something dangerous.

You should report it. Call the Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Labor Enforcement team. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, which enforces federal rules.

These agencies will investigate. They take violations seriously. Retaliation—your employer punishing you for reporting them—is illegal. But it happens sometimes, so know that.

You can also talk to a parent, school counselor, or trusted adult. They can help you navigate this.

Honestly, this is the part that matters most to actual teenagers. If something feels wrong at work, trust that feeling. Adult workers get sick of illegal stuff. Teenagers shouldn’t have to put up with it at all.

Transportation Rules: The Driving Rule Is Really Important

Texas has a specific rule about minors driving for work. Most people don’t understand this one, so pay attention.

If you’re under 16, you absolutely cannot drive as part of your job. Not at all. No delivering pizzas, no running errands, nothing.

If you’re 17, you CAN drive for work, but only under strict conditions.

Your driving has to be occasional and incidental. That means you’re only behind the wheel for a small portion of your shift—probably no more than one-third of your workday. Your driving can’t be the main reason for the job. Driving has to be like a side task you do sometimes.

Your employer needs written documentation from you saying you’re allowed to drive. And the vehicle has to meet certain size requirements (no heavy trucks).

This is a big one. Delivery jobs sometimes try to get around this, but the law is clear. Know this before you apply for a delivery position.

Your Rights as a Young Worker in Texas

You might be wondering what rights you actually have. Here are the big ones.

You have the right to minimum wage. No exceptions. After your first 90 days, you get the full $7.25 per hour.

You have the right to a safe workplace. Your employer can’t put you in hazardous conditions.

You have the right to attend school. Your employer can’t schedule you during school hours if you’re 14 or 15.

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You have the right to a lunch break. If your shift is over 5 hours and you’re under 18, you get 30 minutes.

You have the right to equal treatment. Your employer can’t discriminate against you based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.

You have the right to complain. If your employer breaks the law, you can report them without fear of retaliation.

Know these. Seriously. A lot of teenagers work without knowing they have rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work before I turn 14?

Basically, no. You can deliver newspapers starting at age 11. You can work on a farm when school’s not in session. You can work for your parents’ business. But a regular job at a store or restaurant? Not legal until you’re 14.

What if my employer doesn’t follow these rules?

Report them to the Texas Workforce Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor. It’s illegal for them to violate child labor laws, and it’s illegal for them to punish you for reporting.

Do I need a work permit in Texas?

No work permit is required. But your employer might ask you to get a Certificate of Age to prove how old you are.

Can my employer cut my hours if I can’t work as much during the school year?

Yes. Employers can adjust schedules based on school year hours. That’s legal. But they can’t retaliate against you for following the law.

What if I have a hardship and need to work more hours?

You can apply for a hardship waiver from the Texas Workforce Commission. You’ll need your parent’s support, your school principal’s approval, and proof that you need the income to support yourself or your family.

Am I entitled to overtime pay?

Yes. If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you get 1.5 times your regular pay for the extra hours. This applies even if you’re under 18.

Can my employer require me to work mandatory shifts?

For minors, federal law restricts this somewhat. For 14 and 15-year-olds, you can’t be scheduled during school hours. For 16 and 17-year-olds, employers can schedule you more freely. But local curfew laws might still apply.

What if I’m a child actor?

Different rules apply. You need special authorization from the Texas Workforce Commission before you start working in film, TV, theater, or radio.

What You Need to Know Right Now

Here’s the bottom line. Texas takes child labor laws seriously. Employers who break these rules face real consequences. If you’re a teenager thinking about working, or a parent hiring a teen, know these rules.

The key points:

You have to be 14 to work in most jobs. 14 and 15-year-olds have strict hour limits during the school year. 16 and 17-year-olds can work flexible hours but can’t work in hazardous jobs. Certain sales and solicitation jobs have special rules. You’re entitled to minimum wage ($7.25 per hour after your first 90 days). You must get a 30-minute lunch break if your shift is over 5 hours. Driving for work is completely off-limits if you’re under 16, and heavily restricted at 17.

These rules exist to protect young workers. School matters. Your education is important. Your safety is important. If your employer is making you choose between school and work, or putting you in dangerous situations, that’s not okay.

Stay informed. Stay safe. And when in doubt, ask questions or call the Texas Workforce Commission.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, most young people in Texas have no idea how strict these labor laws are. That’s not their fault. Schools don’t always teach this stuff.

Now you know. Whether you’re looking for your first job, concerned about a current job, or making sure you’re hiring legally, you’ve got the information you need.

Remember, these laws exist for good reasons. They protect teenagers from being exploited. They make sure school doesn’t get pushed aside for work. They keep kids safe.

If something doesn’t feel right at your job, trust your gut. Talk to an adult. Contact the Texas Workforce Commission if you need to. You’re not alone, and the law is on your side.