Scope of This Article

Please keep in mind that this article cannot take the place of individualized guidance. While this article provides useful information, be aware that your individual situation may require different guidance.

Laws, regulations, and court cases can change with little notice. This article is intended to be reasonably current as of its revision date of September 23, 2020.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that they themselves comply with state and federal labor laws. This analysis is a guide only for HSLDA members who are homeschool parents, and should not be used as a guide for employers.

Labor law is a somewhat complicated field. Educate yourself for the best results. Some laws pertain to work regardless of the age of the person. All or most of those laws apply as well when children work. This article is not intended to address those issues. This article is intended only to address state law issues that are unique to child labor in Missouri.

Some restrictions apply totally apart from the work permit or certificate issue.

Work “permits” are not the same as work “certificates.” A work permit can be issued only by the director of the Division of Labor Standards, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. A permit is required only if a child is going to work in the entertainment industry. See Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) § 294.022.

This article focuses on work certificates; work permits are not analyzed in this article.

Also, please note that this article does not analyze laws pertaining to work certificates for children who have been permanently excused from school attendance.

Common Questions