Where Can a 12-Year-Old Legally Work in the United States?
A 12-year-old generally cannot take a regular job at a store, restaurant, or other nonfarm business under federal law. There are limited exceptions, including some farm work, casual babysitting, newspaper delivery, and work for a parent in a parent-owned business. State laws may be stricter, so the rules depend on the child’s location, the task, and who is employing the child.
Federal Rules for 12-Year-Old Workers
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets a federal minimum age of 14 for most nonagricultural jobs. That means a typical employer generally cannot hire a 12-year-old to work as a cashier, restaurant employee, grocery bagger, or office assistant. The rule applies even if the child and employer agree to the job.
The federal age limit has exceptions for certain kinds of work. These exceptions do not create a general right to work at age 12: each applies only to specific circumstances and may be narrowed by state law. The U.S. Department of Labor’s child labor guidance explains the federal standards, while state labor agencies can confirm local requirements.
Where a 12-Year-Old May Be Able to Work
On a Farm
Federal law allows some children under 14 to do agricultural work outside school hours. A 12- or 13-year-old may generally work on a farm with written consent from a parent or guardian, or on a farm where the child’s parent or guardian is also employed. State rules can impose additional limits, including stricter age, hour, or task requirements.
Farm work must be appropriate for the child’s age and experience. Federal law restricts workers under 16 from performing certain hazardous agricultural jobs, with a limited exception for some tasks on a farm owned or operated by a parent. Examples of restricted work can include operating certain power-driven equipment, handling specified chemicals, and working with certain animals or in hazardous settings. The exact rule depends on the task and circumstances, so an employer should check the Department of Labor’s agricultural child-labor requirements before assigning work.
Agricultural work is not automatically safe or legal just because it takes place on a farm. Duties such as harvesting crops may be different under the law from operating machinery, handling pesticides, or working in grain storage. A parent’s permission does not override federal or state hazard restrictions.
In a Parent-Owned Business
Federal law generally allows a parent to employ their own child in a business owned solely by that parent, subject to important limits. A child under 16 cannot be employed in manufacturing or mining, and children under 18 cannot perform federally designated hazardous occupations. State law may be more restrictive.
This exception is specific to the parent-child and business-ownership relationship. It should not be assumed to apply merely because a parent works at the business, supervises the child, or knows the owner. A business with multiple owners may not qualify for the federal exception. Employers should verify the ownership structure and applicable state rules before hiring a 12-year-old.
For Casual Babysitting
Casual babysitting is an exception to the federal minimum-age rule for nonfarm work. A 12-year-old may be able to babysit occasionally, but that does not mean every childcare arrangement is automatically exempt. Regular, scheduled work for a childcare business or another employer may be treated differently from occasional babysitting for a family.
Legal permission is only one consideration. The child’s maturity, training, the age and needs of the children, emergency preparedness, and the length of time alone all matter. Families should also check state or local rules that may apply to childcare arrangements.
Delivering Newspapers
Federal child-labor law has an exception for newspaper delivery, which can allow a child under 14 to perform that work. The exception is limited to newspaper delivery and should not be treated as permission for other delivery jobs, such as delivering restaurant orders or packages. State laws may set additional conditions, and the specific delivery arrangement matters.
Doing Small Jobs Around a Private Home
Federal law excludes certain casual work and minor chores around a private home from its child-labor rules. Examples may include occasional yard work or household help for a neighbor. This is not a blanket exemption for regular landscaping, construction, or work for a commercial company. Tasks involving power-driven equipment, hazardous materials, or other dangerous conditions raise additional concerns and may be prohibited.
Working in Entertainment
Child performers may be permitted to work in film, television, theater, or other entertainment settings under rules that differ from those for ordinary jobs. Federal requirements and state child-performer laws can cover permits, work hours, schooling, supervision, and safety. California and several other states, for example, have detailed rules for minors in entertainment. A production should contact the relevant state labor agency before a child begins work.
Making Wreaths at Home
Federal law includes a narrow exception for certain children under 16 who make evergreen wreaths at home. It is not a general exemption for craft work or manufacturing. Anyone considering this type of work should confirm that the product and work arrangement meet the specific federal requirements and any stricter state rules.
Common Jobs a 12-Year-Old Usually Cannot Take
Unless a specific exception applies, a 12-year-old generally cannot be hired for a regular job in a nonfarm business. Common examples include:
- Working at a restaurant, coffee shop, grocery store, or retail store.
- Bagging groceries, stocking shelves, or operating a cash register for an employer.
- Working as a lifeguard, camp counselor, or employee of a recreation business.
- Doing routine landscaping or yard maintenance for a commercial employer.
- Delivering food or packages for a company or app-based service.
- Working in an office, warehouse, factory, or construction business.
Some tasks may sound similar to an allowed activity but have a different legal classification. For example, occasional yard work for a neighbor may be treated differently from regular lawn care for a landscaping company. A child doing work as an independent contractor is not automatically exempt from child-labor laws; the real nature of the work and relationship matters.
Federal Versus State Child-Labor Laws
Federal law is only part of the answer to “where can a 12-year-old legally work?” States can set higher minimum ages, require work permits or age certificates, restrict particular tasks, and establish additional rules for working hours. When federal and state requirements differ, the rule that provides greater protection to the child generally applies.
Rules may also differ by occupation. A state could permit a particular kind of farm work under conditions that are stricter than federal law, or require authorization for an entertainment job. Local ordinances may add requirements as well. Because state rules change and exceptions are fact-specific, families and employers should contact the state labor department where the work will take place.
| Work type | Federal rule at age 12 | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Regular nonfarm employment | Generally not allowed | Whether a narrow federal exception applies; state age and permit rules |
| Agricultural work | May be allowed outside school hours under specific conditions | Parental consent, farm relationship, task hazards, state rules |
| Casual babysitting | May be exempt from the federal minimum-age rule | Whether the arrangement is genuinely casual; state or local requirements |
| Newspaper delivery | Covered by a federal age exception | Whether the work is newspaper delivery and whether state law adds limits |
| Work for a parent-owned business | May be allowed with restrictions | Business ownership, prohibited occupations, state law |
| Entertainment work | May be permitted under special rules | State permits, hours, schooling, supervision, and safety requirements |
Work Hours and School Requirements
Federal hour limits for nonagricultural jobs generally apply to 14- and 15-year-olds, not to 12-year-olds as a general category, because most nonfarm employment is not permitted at age 12. That does not mean a 12-year-old can work unlimited hours under an exception. Agricultural work, entertainment, and state law may each have their own limits, and school attendance requirements remain important.
For a child working under an exception, families and employers should verify permitted hours, school-day restrictions, required breaks, and any limits on night work. A job should not interfere with compulsory education or violate state attendance laws.
Pay, Permits, and Employer Responsibilities
When a child is legally employed, other workplace rules may still apply. Wage laws, recordkeeping requirements, and safety obligations can depend on the type of work, employer, and applicable federal and state law. An exemption from the minimum-age rule does not automatically exempt an employer from every other employment requirement.
Some states require a work permit, employment certificate, or proof of age before a minor can begin work. The process and responsible agency vary. A parent’s written permission may be required for a particular job, but it is not a substitute for a permit when one is legally required.
Employers should identify the exact duties before hiring a 12-year-old, confirm that an exception covers those duties, and review both federal and state restrictions. They should also provide appropriate training and supervision, keep required records, and avoid assigning hazardous tasks. Families can use the U.S. Department of Labor’s state labor office directory to find the relevant agency.
How to Check Whether a Specific Job Is Legal
- Identify the employer and setting. Determine whether the work is farm labor, casual household work, entertainment, or a job for a business.
- Describe the actual duties. A job title alone does not establish legality; equipment, materials, and work conditions matter.
- Check the federal exception. Confirm that the child’s age and the specific activity fall within an exception to the usual minimum age.
- Review state and local rules. Look for age limits, permits, hour restrictions, school requirements, and prohibited tasks.
- Ask the labor agency if uncertain. A state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division can help clarify applicable rules.
Key Takeaway
A 12-year-old in the United States generally cannot work a regular job for a nonfarm employer. Limited federal exceptions may allow certain farm work, casual babysitting, newspaper delivery, specific work for a parent-owned business, entertainment work, minor household chores, or narrowly defined home-based wreath making. The legality depends on the precise job and state law, so the rules should be checked before work begins.