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Work Permits

Work permits are required in the State of Ohio for minors under the age of 18 who have not graduated from high school. A new permit is required every time you change employers.

Effective January 1, 2026, all student work permit applications will be handled by the Guidance Office at your school. This change is designed to simplify the process for students by keeping all academic and employment documentation in one central, convenient location.

How to Apply for a Work Permit

Step 1: Obtain and Complete the Application

Request the official Minor Work Permit Application Form from your school guidance office secretary.

During the summer months, please contact the main office line/building secretary during the summer to obtain your work permit application. Note, processing times may be slightly longer.

The application requires completion and signatures from four parties:

  1. The Student: Complete the Student/Applicant Information section.
  2. The Parent/Guardian: Ask your parent/guardian to sign where indicated. 
    • Note: If the residency documents on file are not current, the school will request current proofs of residency prior to completing.
  3. The Employer: Ask your employer to complete the Pledge of Employer section, including the Employer's Tax ID Number (9 digits), and enter actual numbers for the number of days, hours, starting time, and quitting time.
    • The number of days per week, hours per day, starting time, and quitting time must be actual hours and times (numbers). Even if your hours and days will vary, a number must be entered.
    • We will not accept the words “varies” or “representative”. If you submit an application without specific days and times, it will be returned to you.
  4. The Physician: Ask your physician to complete the Physician's Certificate for Minor Work Permit, including signature and office stamp with phone number.
    • If you have a current physical (defined as being within the last 365 days) on file at the school, you may use that in lieu of a Physician's Certificate.
    • It is your responsibility to get your physical from Final Forms or from the athletic secretary.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation

Once the application is completed by the student, bring it back to the guidance secretary with the following documentation:

  1. Completed and Signed Application Form (all four sections)
  2. Physician's Certificate or Current Physical (or current physical)
  3. Proof of Age: An original or copy of a Birth Certificate, Passport, Baptismal Record, Hospital Birth Registration, or Driver's License

Step 3: Submission, Processing, and Pickup

  1. Submit all documents to your school’s guidance office secretary
  2. The current processing time is 24-48 business hours after submission. The school will contact the student when the permit is ready.
  3. The student must be present to pick up the final work permit as their signature is required. The school designee will countersign the permit at that time, and a copy will be kept in the guidance office.

School Guidance Office Contacts

High Schools

Middle Schools