Anyone under 18 in Michigan needs a work permit before starting a job, unless they're exempt. Since 2 October 2026, schools no longer issue them: the employer and the teen register with the state Wage and Hour Division and the permit is approved and issued through the online Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP).
That change is the whole story this year. For decades a Michigan teen picked up a work permit from the school office. Now there's one state system, overseen by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), and both sides of the job have a part to play. This guide explains the new process, the hours a permit allows and the jobs that don't need one, as of October 2026.
How the YEPP process works, step by step
- The employer registers with LEO on the Youth Employment Permit Portal.
- The teen completes their portion of the application online in the same system.
- The required employment information is submitted through the portal, so nothing travels on paper between school and shop.
- The State reviews, approves and issues the permit through YEPP.
- Only then can the minor start work. The FAQ is clear that the permit comes first, before employment begins.
- The employer keeps the permit, proof of age and daily time records at the workplace.
LEO's Youth Employment Standards Act page says all youth work permits in Michigan must now be obtained exclusively through the State's centralised system. So if a school counsellor offers to sign a form, that route has closed.
What changed on 2 October 2026, and why it matters to employers
Here's the part most small businesses miss. Under the old system the paperwork sat with the school and the teen did the legwork. Under YEPP, the employer has to register too, which means a café or garden centre that hires two or three teenagers each summer now needs its own login and has to complete its side before the first shift. Hiring a teen on a Friday for a Saturday start is harder than it used to be, so build the portal step into your hiring timeline.
Michigan teen work hours at a glance
A permit doesn't remove the hour limits under the Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA). These are the limits LEO publishes, as of October 2026. A school week means any week the school requires attendance for at least one day or part of a day.
| Limit | Ages 14 and 15 | Ages 16 and 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Hours on a school day | 3 | Up to 10 a day |
| Hours on a non-school day | 8 | Up to 10 a day |
| Hours in a school week | 18 | 24 |
| Hours in a non-school week | 40 | 48 |
| Time of day | 7:00 am to 7:00 pm in term, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm from 1 June to Labor Day | 6:00 am to 10:30 pm Sunday to Thursday in term, 6:00 am to 11:30 pm Friday, Saturday and when school's out |
Every worker under 18 also gets a documented 30-minute uninterrupted break if they work more than five hours, and the start and end of each shift and the break have to show on the daily time record. An adult aged 18 or older must supervise on the premises at all times. Employers can ask the Wage and Hour Division for an hours deviation for 16 and 17 year olds, but only for start and finish times, never for the totals.
Who doesn't need a Michigan work permit
The FAQ lists several exemptions from the act, and they're worth checking before anyone logs in:
- A 16 year old who has graduated from high school, with proof kept at the worksite.
- A minor on a work-based learning or career and technical education programme, where the employer and school have signed a contract and a copy is on file.
- A teen working in a business owned and run by their parent or legal guardian.
- A minor aged at least 14 working at the school where they're enrolled.
- Farm work that doesn't break a LEO standard. Agricultural processing isn't exempt, so a packing plant still needs a permit.
Jobs a permit still won't allow
Some work stays off limits whatever the paperwork says. LEO's examples include operating certain power-driven machinery, using meat slicers, handling hazardous chemicals and running some hoisting or heavy equipment. Minors also can't work where alcohol makes up 50% or more of total sales, and there are extra limits for 14 and 15 year olds around alcohol in other venues. If you're an employer covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act too, the stricter of the state and federal rule applies.
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Records, posters and penalties
Employers must post the YESA notice, keep accurate daily time records for each minor and hold proof of age and the permit, or proof of exemption, for at least 1 year. Breaking the act is a misdemeanour that can mean up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both, as of October 2026, with higher penalties where a minor handles cash after sunset or 8:00 pm without adult supervision. For pay rates, my Michigan minimum wage guide covers the youth and training rates, and if you also hire in New York, the New York working papers process works differently again.
My verdict
The new portal is simpler for teens and a little more work for employers. If you hire under-18s in Michigan, register on YEPP now, before the next hire, and treat the permit as a pre-start check like right-to-work ID. It's free to sort in advance and slow to sort on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Do Michigan schools still issue work permits?
No. LEO says that from 2 October 2026 Michigan school districts no longer issue work permits, and employers and minors register with the Wage and Hour Division to get one through the Youth Employment Permit Portal.
What age do you need a work permit in Michigan?
Anyone under 18 needs a permit before starting work unless an exemption applies, such as a 16 year old high school graduate with proof on file or a teen working in a parent's business.
How many hours can a 15 year old work in Michigan?
Up to 3 hours on a school day, 8 hours on a non-school day, 18 hours in a school week and 40 hours in a non-school week, between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm in term.
Who keeps the work permit in Michigan?
The employer. LEO says employers must keep proof of age, work permits or proof of exemption, and daily time records for each minor for at least 1 year.
