Arizona Child Labor Laws
When Arizona was admitted as a state in 1912, their constitution included an article restricting the employment of children with the Child Labor Amendment being adopted in 1925. The current labor laws pertaining to minors (workers under the age of 16) are called Youth Employment Laws. In Arizona, employment coordinated with education is encouraged.
Child Labor Laws in Arizona For Minors Under 14
Currently the Arizona Youth Employment Law states that those under the age of 14 are prohibited from working in order to ensure their physical, mental, and emotional development. However, those at least 10 years old may sell or deliver newspapers or periodicals. They may also work in the entertainment industry. Other jobs may be performed with parental permission.
Child Labor Laws in Arizona For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Minors in the 14-15 age group may work in a variety of occupations except those considered to be too hazardous. These occupations include manufacturing and processing, laundry or dry cleaning, warehouse work, construction, maintenance or repair, cooking or baking, and working riding a tractor. An exception is made to these categories if the employment is part of a career education or vocational program or the employer obtains a variance, which is a formal application for an exemption made to the Arizona Industrial Committee. The restrictions for this age group include,
When public school is in session:
- May not work while school is in session
- May not work more than 18 hours per week
- May not work more than three hours in a day
- Not later than 9:30pm on the day before and not earlier than 6:00am on a school day
- No solicitation sales or door-to-door deliveries later than 7pm on the day before a school day
When public school is not in session:
- No more than eight hours per day
- No more than 40 hours per week
- No earlier than 6am or later than 11pm on any day
- No solicitation sales or door-to-door deliveries later than 7pm
Child Labor Laws in Arizona For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
The Youth Employment Law states that those 16-17 are not considered minors for work purposes and may work in a variety of occupations. Whether school is in session or not, they may work eight hours per day and 40 hours per week between 5 am and 10pm unless it is agriculture related. They are prohibited from working in the following occupations unless a variance is granted:
- Driving a motor vehicle
- Working in mines or quarries
- Logging or mill jobs
- Working with explosives
- Work involving radioactivity
- Operating any power-driven machinery
- Packaging meat or slaughtering animals
- Work involving demolition
- Roofing
Youth of all ages under 18 are exempt from the Youth Employment Law restrictions if they are employed in:
- A family business
- The entertainment industry
- Enrolled in a technical or vocational program
- Registered as an apprentice
- Employed in an agricultural training program
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Are married
