If you are aged 14-17 you will need an employment certificate, also called working papers, in order to hold a job in New York State. This rule covers:

• High school graduates

• Minors who work for their parents

• Minors who do industrial homework

 

Working papers are divided into two age groups (14-15 and 16-17):

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14-15-year-olds - Your working papers are blue. If you are 14 and 15 years old, you are issued these working papers because you are not allowed to work in a factory.

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16-17-year-olds (in school) - Your working papers are green. The difference between 14-15 year old working papers and 16-17 year old working papers is that you are allowed to work in a factory. You cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, help on a motor vehicle, clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.

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What You Need

You will need to have had a doctor's exam within the last 12 months saying you are physically fit. 

You will also need official identification that you can provide proof of age, such as your birth certificate, a state-issued photo ID, driver's license, or passport.​

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Please bring the completed Application for Employment Certificate form (you can obtain one from the office or download & print  below) and your identification to he school office and Mrs. Buck will issue your working papers.

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