Child Labor

West Virginia Child Labor Laws provide an opportunity for minors fourteen through seventeen years of age to enter the workplace in a safe and conducive environment that promotes responsibility and educational opportunities. Child labor laws establish the guidelines for work permits, age certificates, the permissible hours of work for children the ages of fourteen and fifteen as well as those occupations determined as hazardous for each age group.

 

Child labor laws do not apply to every situation. Work performed for friends and neighbors outside of an employer / employee relationship such as babysitting, lawn mowing, running errands etc., are not covered. Some specific occupations are also excluded. Those occupations include domestic services performed within the residence of an employer; newspaper delivery; agricultural work; work performed for a parent or legal guardian in their solely owned business as well as performing as an actor in motion pictures, theatrical, radio or television productions.