1. (1) Minors legally required to attend school may not be employed during school hours except by special permission from school officials as provided in RCW 28A.225.010 and 28A.225.080.

2. (2) (a) Minors under the age of 16 may work the following hours during school weeks:

   1. (i) A maximum of three hours per day on school days and otherwise a maximum of eight hours per day;
   2. (ii) A maximum of 21 hours per week;
   3. (iii) No earlier than 7:00 a.m. on school days and otherwise no earlier than 5:00 a.m. Minors employed in animal agriculture or whose employment in crop production requires daily attention to irrigation may be employed beginning at 6:00 a.m.; and
   4. (iv) No later than 8:00 p.m. on days preceding a school day and otherwise no later than 9:00 p.m.

   5. (b) Minors under the age of 16 may work the following hours during nonschool weeks:

      1. (i) A maximum of eight hours per day;
      2. (ii) A maximum of 40 hours per week;
      3. (iii) No earlier than 5:00 a.m.; and
      4. (iv) No later than 9:00 p.m.

3. (3) (a) Minors who are 16 and 17 years of age may work the following hours during school weeks:

   1. (i) A maximum of four hours per day on school days and otherwise a maximum of eight hours per day;
   2. (ii) A maximum of 28 hours per week;
   3. (iii) No earlier than 5:00 a.m.; and
   4. (iv) No later than 9:00 p.m. on more than two consecutive nights preceding a school day and otherwise no later than 10:00 p.m.

   5. (b) Minors who are 16 and 17 years of age may work the following hours during nonschool weeks:

      1. (i) A maximum of 10 hours per day;
      2. (ii) A maximum of 50 hours per week. Minors who are 16 and 17 years of age may work up to 60 hours per week in the mechanical harvest of peas, wheat, and hay;
      3. (iii) No earlier than 5:00 a.m.; and
      4. (iv) No later than 9:00 p.m. on more than two consecutive nights preceding a school day and otherwise no later than 10:00 p.m.
4. (4) Except for minors employed in dairy or livestock production, in the harvest of hay, or whose employment in crop production requires daily attention to irrigation, no minor shall be employed more than six days in any one week.
5. (5) Sixteen- and 17-year-old minors who were issued a certificate of educational competence pursuant to RCW 28A.305.190, are enrolled in a bona fide college program, are enrolled in a career and technical education program and the work is performed for an employer approved by the program, or are shown as a parent on a valid certificate of birth may work as would be permitted during nonschool weeks. For the purpose of this section, "career and technical education program" refers to a work-based learning program approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction or the minor's school district including, but not limited to, core plus programs.
6. (6) The provisions of this section shall not apply to minors 16 years of age and older emancipated by court order.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.12.121 and 49.30.060. WSR 26-11-048 (Order 25-21), s 296-122-090, filed 5/19/26, effective 7/1/26.]