How to Get a Work Permit in the District of Columbia

Getting a work permit in the District of Columbia 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 the District of Columbia.  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 the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia is 68.25 square miles, which is smaller in area than any US state. The population of those 68.25 square miles, as of 2013, is 646,449; more people than in the entire state of Wyoming. And of course a good number of those individuals are teenagers who are interested in gaining experience and earning money. In the District of Columbia, minors as young as 14 are able to seek employment. All teenagers under the age of 18 who are looking to work in the District of Columbia must obtain a work permit prior to doing so. Once the minor has obtained the work permit, they are able to begin working. When working with minors, employers have to follow teen labor laws; click here for more information on teen labor laws in the District of Columbia.

Applying For a Work Permit in the District of Columbia

While minors as young as 14 are able to work in the District of Columbia, all teens under the age of 18 must obtain a work permit (also called an employment certificate) prior to doing so. Obtaining a work permit/employment certificate is straightforward and should not present an obstacle for minors seeking to work before they reach adulthood. To obtain a work permit, minors should do the following:            

  1. The minor will obtain a District of Columbia Public Schools Office of Youth Engagement Official Work Permit and Child Labor Application.
  2. The minor must then find an employer who is willing to hire them for a job.
  3. One the minor has found an employer interested in hiring them, they will have the employer complete Section C of the Work Permit and Child Labor Application. Section C asks for information on the type of work the minor will be doing, as well as what industry the work is in. The form also asks for the hours the minor will work each day as well as the total for the week. The employer will then sign Section C. The employer should also supply the minor with a letter on their letterhead stating their intention to employ them minor.
  4. If the minor is under the age of 16, they may have to provide a certificate of physical fitness signed by a licensed physician.
  5. The minor’s parent or guardian will complete and sign Section B, which requests that the work permit/employment certificate be issued to the minor.
  6. The minor will bring the completed application to an issuing officer. An issuing officer is typically available at the minor’s high school. The minor will also want to bring a copy of their birth certificate and social security card.
  7. The issuing officer will confirm the age of the minor, review the documents and if everything is in order, issue the work permit/employment certificate.
  8. The work permit/employment certificate will be delivered or mailed to the employer.

Transferring Work Permits in the District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia, work permits, or employment certificates, are specific to the particular employer. Should a minor choose to seek new employment, they will have to obtain a new work permit.

Employer Responsibility With Work Permits in the District of Columbia

While minors as young as age 14 are able to work in the District of Columbia, all teenagers under the age of 18 must obtain a work permit/employment certificate prior to beginning work. In regards to work permits, employers in the District of Columbia have the following responsibilities:

  • Upon deciding to hire a minor they are to complete Section C of the Work Permit and Child Labor Application. This section requests information on the type of work the minor will be doing, as well as what industry the work is in. The form also asks for the hours the minor will work each day as well as the total for the week. The employer will then sign Section C.
  • The employer should also supply the minor with a letter on their letterhead stating their intention to employ them minor.
  • Once the employer receives the issued work permit/employment certificate, they may allow the minor to begin work.
  • The employer must post a printed notice that presents what the regulations are regarding the amount of hours and time of day that minors may work and what occupations are not allowed. The employer can obtain this from an authorized Board official in a place where minors will see it.
  • The employer must keep the work permit/employment certificate on file. It must be accessible for inspection.
  • The employer must maintain a list of all minors they employ along with the times they work each day.
  • The employer must follow child labor laws.

Employers in District of Columbia who are looking to hire teenagers under the age of 18 will not find it difficult to do so. The process that the employer needs to follow is straightforward and the employer’s role is minimal in the minor obtaining the work permit/employment certificate. The employer is required to follow child labor laws and must have a work permit on file prior to allowing the minor to begin work. 

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