What is the minimum age for a child to obtain an employment certificate?

The minimum age for a child to obtain an employment certificate is indeed 14 years old. This age is consistent with federal labor laws, particularly the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which stipulates that children under the age of 14 are generally prohibited from working in most non-agricultural jobs.

At 14, minors can begin working in certain jobs and are eligible to obtain an employment certificate, which often serves as proof that they have parental consent and are legally permitted to work under specific conditions. This law is designed to ensure that young people are not exploited in the workforce and that their education is not adversely affected by work commitments.

Younger ages listed have specific restrictions and are generally associated with limited and often non-hazardous work opportunities, but do not allow for the same breadth of employment options and require more stringent regulations.