What special rules are there for teenagers?
Employers are not permitted to hire people under the age of 14. Parents who are sole proprietors or 100% owners and have their children working for them are the only exceptions to this rule.

Individuals under the age of 16 may be employed with certain restrictions. These restrictions include the number of hours worked in a day, the time of day and the time of year.

A person under the age of 18 may be employed only in non-hazardous jobs. "Hazardous" can mean something as simple as operating a slicing machine in a meat department or mowing the lawn, so it's important to investigate the laws of your state before assigning duties to a minor.

If a business does plan to employ minors, it's a good idea to obtain federal age certificates from them. These are a precaution for employers in case a person offers fraudulent proof of age when starting work. Some states offer age certificates that are recognized by the federal government, while others are not considered acceptable. Your state Wage and Hour Agency can help with the details.