How to Get a Work Permit in Alabama
Getting a work permit in Alabama is much easier than most teens think, but the entire process can be pretty confusing if you've never done it before. Because of this, we've created this page which outlines everything you need to know about getting a work permit in Alabama. If you're under the age of 16, a work permit is required to work part-time at any company, so follow what we've outlined here and you can get a job in no time.
Minimum Working Age in Alabama
Employment over the summer or on a part-time basis can offer multiple benefits to teenagers, to include earning money, learning responsibility, gaining life experience, and staying busy. By 14 or 15, a teenager may be more interested in paid employment than participating in sports or extracurricular activities. In Alabama, a minor can begin to work at the age of 14 with a completed Eligibility to Work form. This form is required for 14 and 15 year olds and employers that are open to hiring individuals under 18 must acquire the correct Child Labor Certificate. Click here for more information on teen labor laws in Alabama.
Applying For a Work Permit in Alabama
The process for a minor to acquire a work permit in Alabama is straightforward. The Eligibility to Work form, or work permit, is available at the school where the minor attends, either from the school administrator or counselor. The form certifies the student is “eligible to work” by having “satisfactory grades and attendance”. The form must include the location of where the minor student will work, and be signed by the designated school official. Once the form is completed and signed, the minor student must bring the form to their new employer. Minor students aged 14 and 15 should take the following steps to obtain and complete their work permit:
- Speak with their school administrator or counselor about completing an Eligibility to Work form. It is recommended that the minor student ask if the designated school official would be willing to sign the form certifying their “satisfactory grades and attendance” prior to their beginning to job search. You can access the form by clicking here.
- The minor student should then seek work with an employer that has the correct Child Labor Certificate (for minors aged 14 and 15 the employer will need a Class I Child Labor Certificate).
- Upon finding work, the minor student will complete the form with the name and address of the employer that they intend to work for.
- The designated school official will sign the form.
- The completed form will be brought to the employer and kept on file.
Transferring Work Permits in Alabama
The work permit is completed for a specific employer. Should the minor student decide to work elsewhere, they will need to complete an Eligibility to Work form that will list the new employer.
Employer Responsibility With Work Permits in Alabama
Before an employer hires a minor aged 14 and 15, they must be sure that they have a Class I Labor Certificate. The certificate is simple to acquire and you can access the application by clicking here . This certificate is required for each location where a 14 or 15 year old is employed and must be posted in public view. Once the employer has hired a minor, they must keep the following on site:
- An employee information form (should an employer decide to not keep this form they must keep a separate file for each employee aged 18 and under which includes the employee’s name, address, phone number, date of birth, date of hire, proof of age, school attendance and time records). You can access the form by clicking here.
- Proof of age of the employee (acceptable proof includes a copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, or identification card issued by a federal, state or local government agency that includes the employee’s name and date of birth).
- Time records that include the number of hours worked each day (start and end times, as well as all break times for employees 18 years old and under).
The responsibility of employers when hiring minors aged 14 and 15 is not complicated or so labor intensive as to prohibit the hiring of those in that age group. Minors aged 14 and 15 who are interested in working will not experience significant hoops to jump through, and should focus on applying for positions with employers that hold a Class I Labor Certificate.