HR Compliance

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North Carolina Minor Labor Restrictions

active

North Carolina restricts the employment of minors under 16 with hour limitations, mandatory breaks, and prohibited occupations. Minors under 16 must receive a 30-minute break for every 5 hours worked. They may work a maximum of 3 hours on a school day, 8 hours on a non-school day, and 18 hours during a school week.

Jurisdiction
NC (state)
Law Type
Minor Labor
Status
active
Citation
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-25.5
Effective Date
1991-01-01
Last Verified
2026-01-15
Record Updated
2026-01-15

Applicability

Employee Types
all
Age Groups
14-15, under-14

Requirements

Under 16 Hours
Description
Minors under 16 are limited in the number of hours they may work.
Max Hours School Day
3
Max Hours Nonschool Day
8
Max Hours School Week
18
Max Hours Nonschool Week
40
Under 16 Breaks
Description
Minors under 16 must receive a 30-minute break for every 5 hours worked.
Meal Break Minutes
30
Meal Break Trigger Hours
5
Under 14
Description
Children under 14 are generally prohibited from employment in North Carolina, with limited exceptions for agricultural work, newspaper delivery, and entertainment.
Prohibited Occupations
Description
Minors under 16 may not work in manufacturing, mining, or other hazardous occupations as defined by state law.

Penalties

Employers who violate North Carolina's child labor laws may be assessed civil penalties by the North Carolina Department of Labor. Each violation constitutes a separate offense.

Notes

North Carolina's 30-minute break per 5 hours for minors under 16 provides protections beyond the federal standard. The state does not require meal breaks or rest breaks for adult employees.

Sources