Hiring Minors in Hawaii

Quick Reference Employer Checklist

✔ Confirm the minor’s age
✔ Obtain the correct certificate:
     • Ages 14–15: CL-1 (Certificate of Employment)
     • Ages 16–17: eCL-3 (Certificate of Age)
✔ Keep a copy of the Certificate of Employment (for minors ages 14-15) or record the Certificate of Age number (for minors ages 16-17)
✔ Follow work hour limits, break rules, and maximum days
✔ Do not assign hazardous work to minors

Work Permits (Required before the minor starts work)

Ages 14–15:

1. Download and complete the Certificate of Employment (Form CL-1). 
2. Submit the Form CL-1 and proof of age document to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relation’s Child Labor Office (“DLIR”) via fax, mail, or in person. If submitted via fax, the original application must also be submitted to DLIR via mail or in person. 
3. The minor cannot begin work until the employer receives a temporary authorization slip or the Certificate of Employment.

Please Note:

• The form must be signed by the minor’s parent/guardian and employer.
• The Certificate of Employment is employer specific.  If a minor works for a different employer, a new Certificate of Employment must be obtained.

Ages 16–17:

1. Submit the Certificate of Age (eCL-3) form online.
2. Employers must verify proof of age and record the certificate number.
3. Minor can begin work after certification is obtained.

Acceptable Proof of Age Documents

• Birth certificate
• Hawaii state ID or driver’s permit/license
• Military ID
• Immigration record (alien card, passport, visa)
• Hospital record
• School record (not school ID)
• Court record
• Baptismal certificate

Please Note: Social Security cards are not accepted as proof of age.

Work Hour Limits

Ages 14–15:

• School Days: Max 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/week
• Non-School Days: Max 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week
• Allowed Work Hours:
  • School Days/Day Before School: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Non-School Days/ Day Before Non-School Day: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Must have a 30-min break after 5 hrs of work
• No more than 6 consecutive days of work

Please Note: According to guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), "School hours are determined by the local public school in the area the minor is residing while employed - this is true even if the minor does not attend the public school (i.e., attends a private school or is home schooled)."

Ages 16–17: No work when minor is required to be in school.

Please Note: Special rules apply to minors in theatrical employment.

Hazardous Jobs Minors Cannot Do

Federal and State law prohibits minors under 18 from working in hazardous occupations.

Examples of Prohibited Jobs:

• Operating heavy or power-driven machinery (e.g., forklifts, meat slicers)
• Roofing, excavation, or demolition work
• Driving on public roads as part of the job
• Work involving explosives, logging, or radioactive materials

For more information, please visit the DLIR’s Child Labor website.

Members may contact their HR Consultant with questions regarding employing minors.

Please note the information provided is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory developments. We strive to keep our materials up to date, but there may be occasions when information becomes outdated. Users are encouraged to verify the applicability of the content before relying on it for decision-making. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the accuracy or relevance of the information, please contact us directly for assistance.