Hiring 16 and 17 year olds: what employers need to know.
Yes, under-18s can work. Here's what federal law and Indiana law say about hours, hazardous jobs, and paperwork, straight from the Departments of Labor.
Last reviewed October 20, 2026.
Federal rules (FLSA)
- Age. 16 is the basic minimum age for employment. Once a worker turns 18, federal youth employment rules no longer apply.1
- Hours. 16 and 17 year olds may work unlimited hours in any occupation that isn't declared hazardous. Federal law doesn't limit their hours or times of day, though many states do.1
- Hazardous jobs. No one under 18 may work in an occupation covered by one of the 17 Hazardous Occupations Orders.1
- Paperwork. Federal law doesn't require working papers or work permits, though many states do.1
- Stricter law wins. When federal and state law both apply, the stricter standard must be obeyed.1
Hazardous Occupations Orders employers run into most
A sample from the U.S. Department of Labor's list:1
- Driving on public roads or working as an outside helper on motor vehicles (narrow exceptions for 17 year olds)
- Operating power-driven hoisting equipment such as forklifts, skid-steers, scissor lifts, and cranes
- Operating most power-driven woodworking machines, and certain metal-forming, punching, and shearing machines
- Operating power-driven circular saws, band saws, chain saws, and similar cutting equipment
- Most roofing work, and most trenching and excavation work
- Operating balers and compactors, and power-driven meat-processing and bakery machines
Federal regulations provide a limited exemption from HOs 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 17 for apprentices and student-learners who are at least 16 and enrolled in approved programs.1
Indiana rules
- Hours. Since January 1, 2025, 16 and 17 year olds may work the same hours and days as an adult, with no parental permission required for longer or later hours.2
- Hazardous jobs. Indiana's restrictions on prohibited or hazardous occupations mirror federal law.2
- No more YES portal. The Indiana Department of Labor says the Youth Employment System (YES) was decommissioned effective July 1, 2026 under House Enrolled Act 1302. Employers no longer register or report minor employees through a state portal, but youth employment hour and hazardous duty rules remain in effect.2
- 14 and 15 year olds still have hour and time-of-day limits under Indiana law.3
Placing students through a school program? Indiana's 2026 work-based learning law also addresses workers' comp. See our HEA 1098 guide.
Where InternCrew fits
InternCrew is the employer of record for students and young adults. We schedule every placement within state and federal child labor rules for minors, help match your role to what the rules allow, and carry payroll, HR, and workers' comp. See how it works for employers, or, if you're a parent, see how we keep a first job safe.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Fact Sheet #43: Child Labor Provisions of the FLSA for Nonagricultural Occupations.
- Indiana Department of Labor, Youth Employment, including the 2025 changes and the YES portal notice.
- Indiana Code 22-2-18.1 (Youth Employment).
Hiring under-18s: common questions
Can I hire a 16 or 17 year old?
Yes. Under federal law, 16 is the basic minimum age for employment, and 16 and 17 year olds may be employed for unlimited hours in any occupation other than those the Secretary of Labor has declared hazardous (U.S. DOL Fact Sheet #43).
Are there hour limits for 16 and 17 year olds?
Federal law does not restrict the hours or times of day for workers 16 and older, though many states do. In Indiana, since January 1, 2025, 16 and 17 year olds may work the same hours and days as an adult, with no parental permission required for longer or later hours (Indiana DOL).
What jobs can't 16 and 17 year olds do?
Work covered by the federal Hazardous Occupations Orders. There are currently 17, including operating most power-driven hoisting equipment such as forklifts and scissor lifts, most roofing work, trenching and excavation, and driving on public roads (with narrow exceptions for 17 year olds). Indiana's hazardous occupation rules mirror federal law.
Are there exceptions for apprentices and student-learners?
Yes, limited ones. Federal regulations provide a limited exemption from some Hazardous Occupations Orders (HOs 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 17) for apprentices and student-learners who are at least 16 and enrolled in approved programs.
Do 16 and 17 year olds need a work permit?
Federal law does not require working papers or work permits, though many states do. Check the current rules in your state.
Do Indiana employers still register minors in the Youth Employment System?
No. The Indiana Department of Labor says the YES portal was decommissioned effective July 1, 2026 under House Enrolled Act 1302, and employers no longer report or register minor employees through a state portal. Youth employment hour and hazardous duty rules remain in effect.
What if federal and state rules differ?
When both federal and state law apply, the stricter standard must be followed.
Ready to host a student?
We handle the hiring, payroll, and HR so you can focus on mentoring.