No. Child labor under age 14 is illegal in Missouri under state and federal law, with limited exceptions for agricultural work or family-owned enterprises. Violations trigger penalties from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Missouri
- Minimum Age Requirement: Missouri Revised Statutes § 294.040 prohibits employment of children under 14, except in agriculture or domestic work within a family business.
- Work Permit System: Employers must obtain a Child Employment Certificate from the Missouri Division of Labor Standards for minors aged 14–15, though this does not apply to under-14s.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: Missouri’s 2025 amendments to § 294.055 tighten parental consent requirements for minors under 16 in entertainment industries, effective January 1, 2026.
Federal oversight under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) further restricts under-14 employment, barring work in non-agricultural sectors entirely. Missouri’s Division of Labor Standards enforces these rules, with penalties escalating for repeat violations. Agricultural exemptions require strict adherence to FLSA’s Hazardous Occupations Orders, limiting tasks to non-dangerous activities. Employers violating these provisions face fines up to $11,000 per minor under FLSA and $5,000 under Missouri law.