What is the legal age for a young model?

There is no federal minimum age for a young model who has parental consent, and entertainment professions such as modeling are exempt from most state child labor laws. The minimum age to model without parental consent is 18, as with any other form of employment.

Child labor laws for young models vary from state to state. Work permits, written consent forms from parents and work hour and schooling requirements are all examples of state regulation. The U.S. Department of Labor maintains an updated list of each state's requirements for young performers and models. Young models also require parents to enter into contracts for them, since contracts with minors are not legally binding.