Student Work Permits

Work certificates are required regardless of where a child attends school (public school, private school, charter school, home school). Work certificates must be issued by either (1) the public school superintendent of the school district in which the child resides, (2) the chief executive officer of the charter school that the child attends, (3) the public or private school principal of the school that the child attends, (4) the designee of any of these school officials, or (5) if the child is home-schooled, a parent of the child. The public school superintendent of the school district in which the child resides may revoke a work certificate issued by a public or private school principal, if that is deemed to be in the best interest of the child.

Instructions for completing the certificate are as follows:

Step 1: Student & Parent(s), complete Section A of the form, including the signature of the child's parent or guardian.

Step 2: Take the form to the employer for completion of Section B.

Notes: Federal child labor law, while similar to the Missouri child labor laws, contains differing restrictions. Employers should contact the U.S. Department of Labor regarding compliance with federal child labor law.

Step 3: After Sections A and B are completed, take the form to Hillsboro School District's Administration Building, located at #5 Ridgewood Drive, Hillsboro, MO 63050 for one of the individuals identified above as having authority to issue a work certificate for the completion of Section C. The following information will also be required at that time:

  • Proof of the child's age (birth certificate or other evidence).

Step 4: After all three sections of the form have been completed, the parent or guardian will be informed of the approved work permit and given the original to be provided to the child's employer. The issuing officer must retain a copy, and a copy will be mailed to the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.

For more information on Missouri's child labor laws contact the Division of Labor Standards:

Telephone: 573-751-3403
Email: childlabor@labor.mo.gov
Website: www.labor.mo.gov