A work permit is a legal document required by the state of California that allows a person under 18 years of age to hold a job. You may get a work permit from your local public high school. There are four steps in obtaining a work permit:

1. The blank application form may be downloaded from the California State Department of Education website OR you may go to your current High School webpage to get one that has the school name and address pre-filled out (see High School links above).
2. Fill out the personal information at the top of the application, get your prospective employer to fill out the information required in the middle portion, and have a parent or guardian sign the bottom portion of the application.
3. Return the completed work permit application to your high school where the work permit will be processed and typed. Your school will need 48 hours to process the Work Permit.
4. Bring the typed work permit back to the prospective employer.

****** IMPORTANT REMINDER - You must have a social security card to process a work permit.

Minors aged 12 through 17 are required to get work permits before starting a job. A minor under the age of 12 cannot receive a work permit except in the entertainment industry. There are a few exceptions to these rules.

No work permit is required for the following jobs:

1. Certain agricultural industry jobs,
2. Odd jobs in private homes such as gardening and babysitting,
3. Newspaper delivery jobs,
4. Casual work in a family-owned business, and
5. Self-employment.

Minors under 18 years of age must attend school to get a work permit. If a student graduates from high school before age 18, he or she no longer needs a work permit. If a student passes the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or the G.E.D. before the age of 18, he or she no longer needs a work permit. When an employer hires someone under 18 years old who has graduated, passed the CHSPE or G.E.D., the document verifying that fact must be given to the employer as proof that no work permit is required. Minors between 16 and 18 years of age who have dropped out of school must be enrolled in continuation or adult school classes for at least four hours per week before getting a work permit. Emancipated minors must attend school in order to get a work permit. Emancipated minors are those who have gone through court proceedings to be legally separated and freed from the control of their parents for certain reasons. Emancipated minors are still required to get a work permit before being employed but may obtain the work permit without parent consent and signature.