---
title: "Kentucky Child Labor Laws for Family Businesses | Kids Payroll"
url: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/kentucky/
description: "Child labor laws in Kentucky: minimum working age, hour restrictions, work permit requirements, and family business exemptions for 2026."
lang: en
---

# Kentucky

Child Labor Laws for Family Businesses

Last updated: July 15, 2025

Min. Wage: $7.25/hr (follows federal)

Kentucky Department of Labor (https://labor.ky.gov/)

### Family Business Exemptions Most Important

Exemptions Available

- Follows federal parental exemption.
- Kentucky enacted SB 128 allowing nonprofit employers to hire children as young as 12.

### Minimum Working Age

14 years old for most non-agricultural work.

Exceptions:

- No state minimum when employed by parent (follows federal parental exemption).

### Hours Restrictions

Under 14

- Generally may not work.

Ages 14-15

- Max 3 hrs on school days, 8 hrs on non-school days.
- Max 18 hrs during school weeks, 40 hrs during non-school weeks.

Ages 16-17

- School: 6 hrs/day, 30 hrs/week (can extend to 40 with parental permission and 2.0+ GPA).
- Non-school: 8 hrs on Sat/Sun.

### Nightwork Restrictions

### Permitted Job Types

### Work Permit Requirements

Permits Required

- Proof of age required for non-agricultural employment.

### Recordkeeping Requirements

### Key Considerations

This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state's Department of Labor (https://labor.ky.gov/) and the U.S. Department of Labor (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/child-labor).

## Nearby States

TN Tennessee: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/tennessee/
VA Virginia: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/virginia/
WV West Virginia: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/west-virginia/
OH Ohio: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/ohio/
IN Indiana: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/indiana/

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#### Product

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- Tax Calculator: https://kidspayroll.com/tax-calculator/
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- State Labor Laws: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/
  - Delaware: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/delaware/
  - Florida: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/florida/
  - Louisiana: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/louisiana/
  - Maine: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/maine/

#### Resources

- How to Pay Kids Through LLC: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/pay-kids-through-llc/
- Roth IRA for Kids: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/roth-ira-for-kids-rules/
- Tax-Free Payment Limits: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/pay-child-tax-free-2026/
- All Articles →: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/

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