No. Child labor under age 14 is prohibited in Iowa under both state and federal law. Exceptions are extremely narrow, requiring parental consent, non-school hours, and non-hazardous work in limited family-owned enterprises. Violations trigger penalties from the Iowa Division of Labor and U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Iowa
- Parental Consent Mandate: Iowa Code § 92.17 requires notarized parental permission for minors under 14 to work, even in exempt sectors like agriculture. Consent must specify work hours, duties, and employer details.
- Non-Hazardous Work Only: Permissible jobs exclude manufacturing, mining, or occupations deemed hazardous by the Iowa Division of Labor, aligning with federal Hazardous Orders under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Strict Hour Caps: Minors under 14 may work a maximum of 3 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days, capped at 18 hours weekly during the school year. Summer work is limited to 40 hours weekly.
Iowa’s 2026 regulatory updates emphasize digital verification of work permits for minors under 14, aligning with the Iowa Workforce Development’s Youth Employment Compliance System. Employers must retain permits for 3 years post-employment. Federal oversight via the DOL’s YouthRules! program further restricts interstate agricultural work for this age group. Non-compliance risks fines up to $11,000 per violation under the FLSA and potential misdemeanor charges under Iowa Code § 92.18.