This variance is easy to apply for and allows teens enrolled in public or private schools to work additional hours. L&I does not approve special variances. They are granted if the parents, school, and employer agree. Special variances are only available for teens working in non-agricultural jobs.

Purpose

Youth 16-17 years old who are enrolled in public or private school can work up to 6 hours per day and 28 hours per week with parental and school permission. Special variances are not available for home-schooled students.

If an employer wants a teen to work more hours than the special variance allows, or the teen is not enrolled in public or private school, they can apply for a minor work variance (F700-076-000).

How to request approval

Both the minor’s school official and their parent or legal guardian must approve the additional hours requested. The school official must consider whether the additional hours will affect the student’s school schedule and academic performance. If a student’s academic performance decreases under an approved special variance, the school can modify or withdraw their approval.

When filling out the required Parent School Authorization (F700-002-000) form, both the parent and school official must sign the “Optional School Week Special Variance Authorization” section on the last page of the form. If either the school or the parent do not sign the special variance, the teen is not approved to work the additional hours. Employers must keep the signed Parent/School Authorization form on file where the youth works.

How to renew

You can renew a special variance yearly by Sept. 30 when you renew the Parent/School Authorization form.

A minor work variance allows teens to work additional hours beyond what a special variance allows. Minor work variances are available for teens working in agricultural and non-agricultural jobs.

Purpose

Teens 16-17 years old under various circumstances can work additional hours, earlier or later than usually allowed, or work during regular school hours if approved by L&I.

We typically see requests for teens who are:

• Homeschooled.
• Taking online classes.
• Enrolled in an alternative school.
• Attending school with a flexible schedule.
• Taking classes toward their GED.
• Responsible for their own living expenses.

Exceptions

Teens 16-17 years old working non-school week hours do not need a variance to work if they are:

• Married.
• A parent.

Additionally for non-agricultural jobs:

• Are enrolled and taking college courses (e.g. Running Start).
• Have a high school diploma or equivalency (GED).

Emancipated minors do not have any hours of work restrictions. If any of these exceptions apply, employers should keep a copy of supporting documentation.

How to request approval

Complete and send the Variance Application – Minor Work (F700-076-000) to L&I for review. The application has details how to submit your request. We may ask you for additional information to support your request.

Variances are usually reviewed within ten business days. Your approved variance will be emailed to you. We will contact you if your variance is denied, or if we need additional information.

How to renew

A minor work variance expires the same date that the employer’s minor work permit expires. To renew this variance, submit a new request when renewing your minor work permit.

A theatrical variance allows minors employed as actors or performers in film, video, audio, or theatrical productions to temporarily work additional hours. This variance can include duties that are normally prohibited for minors. Theatrical variances are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Note: You do not need permission from a superior court for youth under 14 to work in theatrical jobs.

Purpose

Minors employed in theatrical jobs can work additional hours, earlier or later than usually allowed, or work during regular school hours if approved by L&I. Theatrical variances are only valid for minors working in Washington State.

We recommend using the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) guidelines when setting the hours of work for child actors.

How to Request Approval

Complete and send L&I all of the following documents for review:

• Variance Application – Theatrical Minor Work form (F700-186-000).
• Parent/School Authorization (F700-002-000) or Parent Authorization for Summer Work (F700-168-000) form.
• Proof of minor’s age (e.g. birth certificate, passport, driver's license, or notarized statement from the parent or legal guardian).

Applications should detail the minor's working conditions and planned work schedule, adult supervision of the minor, and any planned educational programs.

L&I can prepare this variance within one business day if all paperwork is fully completed. If we approve your request, a copy of an approved variance will be emailed to you.

A seasonal group variance allows a number of teens to temporarily work additional hours during peak business times. Seasonal group variances are available for teens working in agricultural and non-agricultural jobs.

Purpose

Youth 16-17 years old can work additional hours, or later than usually allowed during school and non-school weeks if approved by L&I.

Youth 14-15 years old working in agriculture can work additional hours or earlier or later than usually allowed only during non-school weeks if approved by L&I.

How to request approval

Complete and send the Variance Application – Seasonal Group Minor Work (F700-135-000) to L&I for review. The employer must list the number of youth needed, the employment start and end dates, and the hours of work they are requesting for peak and off-peak times. We may ask for additional information to support your request.

Note: You must have a minor work permit that is valid for the entire time you request. You can renew up to 60 days before your current minor work permit expires.

For each individual hired under the seasonal group variance, you must have a signed parent/school or summer authorization reflecting the maximum hours of work requested. If L&I approves your request, a copy of the approved variance will be sent to you.

Applications can take up to 10 business days to process.

How to Renew

The special group variance expires on your requested expiration date, usually at the end of harvest or summer break. You must submit a new variance request to renew a seasonal group variance.

A student-learner variance allows youth ages 16-17 to operate selected machinery and do other hazardous activities that would otherwise be prohibited. The work must be done as part of a paid, worksite learning program or registered apprenticeship.

The safety of minors on the worksite is L&I’s primary consideration when reviewing these variances. See policy ES.C.11 for complete information.

Purpose

Employers must apply to L&I for the student-learner variance, working with schools or registered apprenticeships. Employers and schools, or registered apprenticeship training programs, have obligations under this variance.

As a participating employer, you should also make the safety of the student-learner one of your primary goals. You may request a safety consultation from L&I to help ensure the safety of student-learners. There is no charge for this service.

L&I will not grant variances for employments or occupations prohibited by the U.S Department of Labor (WAC 296-125-030).

How to apply

In order to be eligible, the youth (student-learner) must be in a program that is:

• A paid, worksite learning program certified and monitored by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI);
• A worksite learning program from the student employee’s school district;
• A course of study in a substantially similar worksite program at a private school; or
• A program registered by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

Employer obligations

When applying for a student-learner exemption through L&I, an employer must complete a Student-Learner Exemption Minor Work Variance Application (F700-135-000) and include the following:

• The limited hazardous duties for the student that the variance covers, including:
  • All roofing work
  • Excavations
  • Occupations involving firefighting and fire suppression duties
  • Slaughtering, meat packing, processing, or rendering
• The power-driven equipment and tools the student will be trained to use. Make sure to include the year, make and model. The variance covers the following types of equipment and tools:
  • Power-driven woodworking machines/tools
  • Power-driven metal-forming, punching and shearing machines
  • Power-driven paper-product machines
  • Power-driven circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears
• All materials being worked, such as wood, metal, or plastic, etc.

A variance will only be allowed if the hazardous work performed by a minor is incidental to the training program, intermittent, and closely supervised by a journey-level worker, qualified instructor, or mentor.

In addition to the Student-Learner Exemption Minor Work Variance Application, employers must also abide by all other youth employment laws and must obtain the following:

• A Minor Work Permit from the Department of Revenue Business License Service.
• A Parent/School Authorization (F700-002-000) from L&I.
• Evidence of age.
• Workers’ compensation coverage for the student.

NOTE: Minor work permit endorsements, Parent School Authorization, and variances must be renewed annually. Employers are also required to keep a minor’s employment record for three years.

School obligations

To place a student learner at a worksite, the student-learner’s school must follow all OSPI requirements and provide a detailed description of:

• The work the student-learner will do and how that worksite learning experience connects to the student’s education plan.
• How the student-learner’s learning progress will be evaluated during the worksite learning experience.
• Safety training for the student.

ALSO, the school must sign the Student-Learner Exemption Minor Work Variance.
NOTE: If a minor in a registered apprenticeship is not enrolled in school, there are no school obligations.