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Work Permits for Employment of Minors

  • A work permit is required before anyone under the age of 16 is allowed to work in any job except for agriculture or domestic service work.
  • Employers must have a work permit on file for the minor being employed before they may allow the minor to begin work.
  • 16- and 17-year-old minors do NOT need to obtain a work permit prior to beginning work. Work permits will not be issued for minors ages 16 or 17.
    • State law prohibits the use of minors to perform hazardous work. Prohibited employment provisions still apply to work that 16- and 17-year-old minors can be employed to perform.
  • This law makes no changes to the requirements for minors younger than 16. Minors younger than 16 must obtain a work permit prior to beginning work, unless an exception applies.
    • There are no changes to the maximum hours or times of days that minors younger than 16 may work, or the types of work that minors younger than 16 may perform.
Proof of Minor's Age

We may accept a valid operator's license or an identification card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as proof of a minor's age. This means that we may now accept either a duly attested birth certificate, a verified baptismal certificate, or a driver’s license or photo ID card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

For the Employer — Permit Fee Requirement

The employer must reimburse the $10.00 permit fee to the minor by no later than the date of the first paycheck.

Copies of the permit go to the employer and the minor, in addition to the school district where the minor is enrolled.

Additional information can be found on the Department of Workforce Development website.

Work Permit Application Requirements

The minor must bring all the following information to a local work permit office, and they be present to obtain the permit:

  • Proof of Age: Such as birth certificate, baptismal certificate, Wisconsin ID card or Wisconsin driver's license, etc.
  • Social Security Card: Copy of the minor's social security card
  • Employer Letter: Written intent to hire including job duties to be performed and the hours and time of day to be worked
  • Either:
    • Written Consent: The minor's parent, guardian or court-ordered foster parent consenting to the employment
    • Counter Signature: The signature of the parent guardian or court-ordered foster parent on the employer's letter
  • $10 permit fee

Drivers Education Resources

Abundant Life Christian School does not teach Drivers Education.

Parents & students may contract with a local driving school that is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles for their classroom and behind-the-wheel training before taking a road exam.

More information on driver licensing and approved programs can be found at the DMV website HERE.

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