Student Work Permits

• Wednesday, October 15, 2025

WORK PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS

A work permit is a legal document required by the state of California that allows a person less than 18 years of age to hold a job. You may get a work permit from the Virtual Learning Academy. 

There are four steps in obtaining a work permit:

1. Ask for a work permit application in the Admin Office during the school year, or go to VLA Work Permit Application (PDF) and download the application.

2. Fill out the personal information at the top of the application, have the employer fill out the information required in the middle portion and have one parent sign the bottom portion of the application.

3. Return the completed work permit application to the VLA office (at LEC) in person where the work permit will be processed.

Not all support staff are on the LEC campus every day. Please allow 48 hours to process Work Permits! Call the VLA office if you have questions.

4. Bring the completed work permit back to your employer.

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WORK PERMIT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

AT WHAT AGE CAN I GET A WORK PERMIT?

• Minors ages 12 through 17 must get a work permit before starting a job.
• Minors under 12 cannot get a work permit except in the entertainment industry (which requires a different permit).
• No work permit is required for:
• Certain agricultural jobs.
• Odd jobs in private homes (e.g. gardening, babysitting).
• Newspaper delivery.
• Self-employment.

DOES A WORK PERMIT REQUIRE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE?

• Yes. Minors under 18 must attend school to get a work permit.
• Students who graduate, pass the CHSPE, or earn a G.E.D. before age 18 no longer need a permit.
• Students who have left school must be enrolled in continuation or adult school at least 4 hours per week to qualify.
• Emancipated minors must still attend school but may apply without parent consent.

CAN A WORK PERMIT BE TAKEN AWAY?

Yes. A work permit may be revoked at any time by a school administrator or a parent with good reason, such as:

• Job does not meet legal requirements.
• Job causes truancy or attendance issues.
• Job leads to failing grades.

WHEN DOES A WORK PERMIT EXPIRE?

• A new work permit is required for each job.
• A permit expires when a student leaves a job.
• All work permits expire five days after school starts in the fall — even for the same job.
• Example: If you start working in June, your permit expires in August and must be renewed.

WHAT IS THE GPA REQUIREMENT?

• A 2.0 GPA is required to hold a work permit during the school year.
• During summer, the GPA requirement is not strictly enforced, but it returns in the fall — so keep your grades up!

Questions? Call the VLA office at (714) 663-6292.