Hours of Employment for 14- and 15-Year Olds–Texas Employment Law

A child age 16 or 17 has no restrictions on the number of hours or times of day they may work. There are hour restrictions only for children ages 14 and 15, with separate state and federal laws that cover their work hours. All businesses are subject to state law but only those businesses covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are subject to the federal law.

Texas State Law

State law states that 14 and 15 year olds:

• Can work no more than 8 hours in one day.
• Can work no more than 48 hours in one week.
• Cannot go to work before 5 a.m.
• Cannot work after 10 p.m. on a day that is followed by a school day, including summer school sessions when applicable.
• Cannot work past midnight on a day that is not followed by a school day.

Federal Law

FLSA states that 14 and 15 year olds:

• May not work during school hours.
• Can work no more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week when school is not in session.
• Can work no more than 3 hours in a day or 18 hours in a week when school is in session.
• Can work only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year. However, between June 1 and Labor Day, they may work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Hardship Exemption

To request that TWC approve a hardship waiver of the hour restrictions for a child age 14 or 15 because it is necessary for the child to work to support themselves or their immediate family, follow the process described in Commission Rule Section §817.22.