Youth/Student Work Permits
Minors aged 14 through 17 years are required to obtain a work permit to be employed in the state of Massachusetts.
- Minors may not transfer a youth work permit issued for one job to another job. The application process must begin again, even if the employer is the same but the work location has changed.
- Permits are valid as long as the minor holds the job or until they reach the age of 18. A minor does not have to apply for a new employment permit at the beginning of the school year if they have the same job.
NOTE: If you are a Massachusetts resident, but you're looking to work in another state, you will need to reach out to the town in the state where you will be working. Massachusetts work permits are only valid for minors employed in Massachusetts.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has granted permission for youth work permits to be processed electronically.
To obtain a Massachusetts work permit, please follow the steps below:
NPS students:
- Students must use a school email account when submitting an application.
- Make sure your application is complete and includes all required signatures.
- Scanned documents or digital photographs are acceptable.
- Email your completed application to: [email protected]
**Work permit applications sent by a parent or guardian will not be accepted**
Students that do not attend Needham Public Schools:
- Completed work permit application. Make sure your application is complete and includes all required signatures.
- Record of School Attendance Form (required for students aged 14 & 15 years old)
- Record of Last School Attended (16 & 17 years old - this can be a transcript, school ID, recent progress report, etc, anything to show the name of the last school you attended so that we can include this information on your work permit)
- Photo ID: current school ID /or/ driver's license /or/ US Passport
- Proof of Birth: birth certificate /or/ immigration record /or/ US Passport
- Scanned documents or digital photographs are acceptable
- Students must email all documents to: [email protected]s
**Work permit applications sent by a parent or guardian will not be accepted**
Work Permit Process Explained:
After students submit their application (and any necessary documents) -
-The pending work permit is shared as a Google Doc: Students are required to fill in their personal information and sign electronically at the bottom (This step must be completed by the student).
-Once that is completed: we will assign a permit number, sign electronically, and send the student back a finalized copy of the work permit as a PDF.
Permit Processing Timeline
Completed applications will be processed within approximately 5 business days from the date and time of receipt. Staff will do their best to process permits as quickly as possible.
Plan accordingly and let your future employer know of this timeline and to coordinate your start date as appropriate.