Can a 12-year-old get a job?

Federal law restricts children under the age of 14 from working in non-agricultural occupations covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. States sometimes impose additional child labor restrictions.

Children are subject to special federal employment restrictions until the age of 18. Children under the age of 14 are allowed to babysit, to deliver newspapers, to be actors or to perform household chores. Federal regulations do not require children to obtain work permits, nor do they mandate labor laws such as breaks or mealtimes. Refer to state regulations to ascertain whether there are any further restrictions.