No, child labor under age 14 is illegal in Arkansas under state and federal law, with limited exceptions for agricultural or entertainment work requiring strict parental and administrative approval.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Arkansas
- Minimum Age Requirement: Arkansas aligns with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), prohibiting employment for children under 14 except in agriculture, babysitting, or youth employment programs certified by the Arkansas Department of Labor (ADOL).
- Parental Consent & Permits: Employers must secure written parental consent and obtain a work permit from the ADOL’s Child Labor Division, which verifies age and restricts hours to non-school periods.
- Industry-Specific Exemptions: The 2026 Arkansas Child Labor Reform Act tightens oversight, banning minors under 14 from hazardous occupations (e.g., manufacturing, mining) and capping entertainment work hours to 18/week during school terms.
Local enforcement falls under the ADOL’s Wage and Hour Division, which conducts unannounced inspections and imposes penalties—up to $11,000 per violation—for non-compliance. Violations trigger mandatory reporting to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division under the FLSA. Employers in entertainment or agriculture must also comply with Arkansas’ 2024 Youth Employment Act, which mandates additional documentation for minors performing in film, theater, or agricultural tasks.