Minors employed in California must have a Permit to Employ and Work (commonly referred to as a “work permit”). Work permits are issued by the school where the student is enrolled. Work permits indicate the duties and location where the work will be done and the number of hours a minor may work. In most cases, it is a two-step process. The minor, along with the parent/guardian and employer, fill out the B1-1 form and submit it to their school of residence. The school reviews the B1-1 form and issues the B1-4 (Work Permit). The B1-1 forms are available in the College and Career Readiness Department Office, or a digital copy can be downloaded from the links below.

B1-1 Fillable Form (Work Permit Application)

B1-1 Form (Work Permit Application)

Work Permits Q&A

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WORK PERMIT FOR MINORS

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA REQUIRES THAT ALL MINORS (A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18) HAVE A WORK PERMIT ON FILE AT THE WORKSITE BEFORE THE EMPLOYMENT IS LEGAL.

• Exceptions: Possession of a High School Diploma or Equivalent

• A minor not attending school is not eligible for a California Work Permit

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A WORK PERMIT

(When School is in Session: Fall and Spring Semesters, and Winter and Spring Breaks)

1. The school of attendance issues the work permit. Please contact the school’s Student Services Department for assistance.

2. Eligibility—the student must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher, good attendance, good citizenship, and a job offer (you must have a job offer before obtaining a Work Permit).

3. The school will issue a State of California Department of Education Work Permit Application form number B1-1. This form must be completed in blue or black ink and requires the signature of the student, the employer, and the parent/guardian.

4. The students must provide a social security number and proof of identification. The employer must note the working hours, a clear description of the work to be performed, and the address of the physical location student will be working.

5. The completed B1-1 is returned to the school of attendance and reviewed for accuracy and eligibility for Visalia Unified and the prospective employer.

The student is to return to their school of attendance to pick up their State of California Department of Education Work Permit, form B1-4 (Permit to Employ and Work). The B1-4 is the document that students need to submit to their employer to begin employment.

For more information about child labor laws, contact the U.S. Department of Labor at http://www.dol.gov/ and the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/dlse.html.

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A WORK PERMIT

(During Summer Break: After the last day of school to the first day of school)

All District Work Permits will be issued by appointment only: 559-730-7510 (Monday-Thursday)

Required documents will be processed at:

Visalia Unified School District
College & Career Readiness Department
5000 West Cypress Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277

Once a student has a job offer, the student downloads and prints a work permit application: B1-1, “Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit” from their high school website, the District’s Career Readiness website, or the internet (or below). Blank copies are also available at the front door of the College & Career Readiness Department. Students must have a work permit for each place of employment.

Section A: Directions to Complete the B1-1 Work Permit Form BEFORE Submitting for Processing

After obtaining a promise of employment:

1. The student must completely fill out the B1-1 section using black or blue ink. (Note: applications will not be processed without a Social Security number).

2. The student must request that the employer completely fill out the employer section. The “Description of Work” must be detailed and complete. The student must obtain the employer's original signature prior to District verification and the two signatures (student and employer) must be within seven (7) days of each other.

3. Student must obtain parent/guardian approval with signature.

4. Students must call the College and Career Department (559-730-7510) to make an appointment to process their fully completed B1-1 form. Appointments will be held on Monday through Thursday (offices are closed on Friday); students must be present at scheduled appointments for required signatures.

Section B: Directions for submitting the form to the College & Career Readiness Department

1. Once arriving at your scheduled appointment, District staff reviews the student’s grades and attendance to determine the student’s eligibility and notes grades and attendance on the B1-1.

2. District staff will generate an official work permit (B1-4 form), print three copies, and sign. The student must sign all three copies.

3. After signing, two copies are provided to the student; one copy is for the employer, and one is for the student’s records. One copy is retained by the District.

Per California Labor Law, work permits are only valid through two weeks after the start of the Fall Semester, and students cannot work during school hours.

CA Dept of Education Work Permits for Students Web Page