Work Permits

Requirements for employment of minors

• A work permit is required before anyone under the age of 16 is allowed to work in any job with the exception of agriculture or domestic service work. The minimum age for employment is 14, except for agriculture and domestic service.
• 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.

Obtain a work permit (Parent/Guardian)

Parents and guardians may obtain a work permit by following the instructions below. Note that parents and guardians are required to pay the work permit application fee at the time of purchase. After the payment has processed the parent or guardian will receive an email confirmation and the permit will be printed and mailed directly to the employer. The minor's employer will receive the permit within five (5) business days. The minor may begin working upon receipt of the confirmation email.

1. Create a DWD ID
• A DWD ID is a username and password used to interact with the Department of Workforce Development or the Department of Children and Families. If you already have a DWD ID that you used to work with another division, such as the Unemployment Insurance Division, you do not need to create a new ID.
2. Enter Information about the minor applying for the work permit and their:
   • Employer
   • Job
   • School
3. Pay for minor's work permit. We accept:
• Credit or debit
• Checking or savings account

Do you ...

Need a DWD ID and help to create a permit Have a DWD ID but need help to create a permit Have a DWD ID and want to login

Download your copy*

1. Login
2. Click or tap the "More" option at the top of the page
3. Click or tap "My Permits"
4. Click or tap on the minor's name
5. Click or tap the blue icon to download the permit

Please note that if the icon is red, the permit has been revoked or suspended, the permit is unavailable for download and the minor is not legally eligible to work.

*Our office mails a physical copy of the permit to the employer listed on the application.

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. A copy of the permit will be mailed to the employer.

For more information

• Contact Info
• List of Schools by Name, City, County and District
• Labor Standards Online Services
• Manufacturing & Construction Equipment & Wisconsin's Employment of Minors Laws
• Index to Prohibited Work
• Employment of Minors Guide
• Guide to Wisconsin's Employment of Minors Laws - For All Youth under 18 years of Age
• Wis. Stat. §§ Chapter 103.64 - 103.83
• Wisconsin Administrative Code DWD 270