North Carolina Child Labor Laws

North Carolina is one of the southern states in which cotton mills have been a main industry.  With the labor practices of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, North Carolina’s first efforts at regulation of child labor stipulated that children under the age of 18 were not allowed to work more than 66 hours per week in the cotton mills.

Child Labor Laws in North Carolina For Minors Under 14​

The North Carolina Child Labor Laws are administered by the North Carolina Department of Labor to ensure safe and ethical work practices and conditions to instill positive values.  Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to work, with a few exceptions.  They may hold jobs in babysitting and household duties.  Beginning at the age of 12, minors can work on the farm of a parent or guardian without a work permit, or otherwise with the appropriate waivers.   

Child Labor Laws in North Carolina For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old

Minors 14 and 15 years of age may work in certain jobs with a work permit.  Employment permitted for 14 and 15 year olds include:

  • Dishwasher
  • Grocery Bagger
  • Cashier
  • Shelf Stocker
  • Non-Cooking Food Preparation
  • Office Work

They may work outside of school hours in non-hazardous agricultural jobs without a work permit.

Minors 14 and 15 years old may not work in establishments which sell or serve alcohol for consumption.  They may not work in the Hazardous Occupations listed below prohibiting all minors under 18.

Specifically, minors 14 and 15 years of age may not work in the following Hazardous Occupations:

  • Operation of Heavy Equipment such as Trenchers, Combines, Feed Grinders, Tractors over 20 Horsepower, and other Power-Driven Machinery
  • Working from a Ladder or Scaffolding over 20 feet
  • Driving an Automobile, Bus or Truck to transport passengers
  • Use of Blasting agents or Explosives
  • Handling of or Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
  • Work with Animals designated for breeding purposes

North Carolina Child Labor Law details the restrictions for this age group as follows:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than three hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 18 hours per week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
  • Must have a 30 minute break after five consecutive hours of work

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day
  • Must have a 30 minute break after five consecutive hours of work

Child Labor Laws in North Carolina For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old

Minors 16 and 17 years of age may work in a variety of jobs, most of which require a work permit.  They may work in any job in agriculture at any time without a work permit.  They may not work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption. 

All minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from working in the following occupations considered Hazardous or Detrimental as outlined by the State:

Hazardous Occupations:

  • Manufacturing or Storing Explosives
  • Coal Mining
  • Logging or Work in Sawmills
  • Jobs involving Exposure to Radioactive Materials
  • Work with Power-Driven Machinery
  • Work in Meat Packing Plants/Slaughterhouses
  • Roofing
  • Trenching/Excavation
  • Driving a Motor Vehicle
  • Preparing/Selling/Serving Alcoholic Beverages

Detrimental Occupations:

  • Welding/Torch Cutting
  • Exposure to Quartz or Asbestos
  • Work with Lead
  • Benzene Exposure
  • Canneries/Processing Plants
  • Occupations Involving a Risk of Falling 10 Feet or More
  • Electrical Work/Electrician’s Helper
  • Work in Confined Spaces
  • Jobs Requiring the Use of a Respirator

North Carolina Child Labor Law outlines the restrictions for this age group as follows:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than three hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 18 hours per week
  • No earlier than 5am or later than 11pm on a school night without written permission from a parent or guardian and the Principal of the school, if enrolled in school

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No hours restriction is specified

All minors under 18 who work in acting, modeling, or other performing arts need a work permit, but otherwise are exempt from all other provisions of North Carolina Child Labor Law.

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