Source: NC DEPT. OF LABOR, 4/1/20

The online process for obtaining Youth Employment Certificates from the N.C. Department of Labor will soon change. The new process, which is currently being tested, will further ensure youths will not work in occupations deemed hazardous or detrimental by shifting the responsibility of answering the questions about the type of work being performed on the job from the youth to the employer. “The Youth Employment Certificate is important because it alerts parents, teens and employers of certain prohibited jobs and hour limits for workers between the ages of 14 and 17,” Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said.
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Over the years, we have found that many youths are not familiar enough with the work they will be doing to answer the questions on the certificate accurately. The new process eliminates this glitch by requiring employers to complete the online process that asks specific questions about the type of work performed on the job, and we are confident employers will understand this important change.” 

In North Carolina, 14- and 15-year-olds may only work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. when school is in session and no more than three hours on school days. In addition, 14- and 15-year-olds are not allowed to work more than eight hours per day on non-school days and no more than 18 hours per week when school is in session and no more than 40 hours per week when school is not in session. Between June 1 and Labor Day when school is not in session, they may work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Teens under 18 years of age and older than 13 years of age can work in most office jobs or retail and food service establishments. They may not work in processing, mining or in many workplaces where goods are manufactured because of the hazardous nature of the work being performed. If an employer has an on-premise ABC permit, then teens under 16 years of age and at least 14 years of age may only work on the outside grounds with written consent from a parent or guardian as long as the youth is not involved with the preparation, serving, dispensing or sale of alcoholic beverages. For instance, a 14- or 15-year-old may work at the tennis courts or golf course at a private club but would not be allowed to work as a server or busboy if alcohol is served inside. 

“Just as before, the certificate must be signed by the youth, the parent or guardian, and the employer before the youth begins work,” said Kisha Holmes, bureau chief of the Wage and Hour Bureau. “Employers who fail to comply with this requirement or any youth employment requirement may be subject to a civil penalty for each violation.” 

The Department of Labor is following a business model developed and used by the state of Virginia’s office that administers the youth employment certificates. There are five steps involved with the new process involving separate steps for youths, parents or guardians, and employers: 

Step 1: Youths under the age of 18 who are seeking employment access the N.C. Department of Labor website and register for their Youth Employment Identification (YEID) number. After providing required information, the youth will receive an email from NCDOL containing the YEID number and directing them to provide it to their employer. The numbers issued are unique to each youth and should be provided to all employers, regardless of the number of jobs applied for. Only one YEID number will be issued per youth.

Step 2: The youth provides the employer with the YEID number, and the employer visits the NCDOL website to access the form and provide the required information about the job.

Step 3: The youth receives an email with a link to go to the form on the NCDOL website and electronically sign the certificate. At this point, the youth will be asked to provide an email address for a parent or guardian.

Step 4: Parent or guardian receives an email with a link to the form on the NCDOL website asking them to review and electronically sign the certificate, after which the employer will receive an email. 

Step 5: The employer will review and electronically sign the certificate. All parties receive a link to print the approved certificate. The employer is required to maintain the certificate on record for two years after employment ends or until the employee turns 20. “The process for obtaining signatures has been streamlined by incorporating the ability to secure legally binding electronic signatures online,” Holmes said. “We hope this step makes the process seamless for all parties involved while ensuring youths in North Carolina are doing age-appropriate work during the summertime or while school is in session.” 

For any questions about the process, please contact the Wage and Hour Call Center at 1-800-625-2267.