Contractor License Practice Exam

What is required for minors aged 14 to 17 to be gainfully employed?

1. A driver's license

2. A work permit

3. Parental permission

4. Documentation of school attendance

The correct answer is: A work permit

For minors aged 14 to 17 to be gainfully employed, obtaining a work permit is essential. Work permits, often issued by a school or local government body, are designed to ensure that the employment is not detrimental to a minor's health, education, or overall well-being. They also help in regulating the hours and types of jobs that minors can undertake, ensuring compliance with labor laws that protect young workers. The other options do have their own importance but do not serve as prerequisites for employment in the same way. For example, while parental permission is often required and beneficial for minors working, it does not legally facilitate their employment in the absence of a work permit. Similarly, a driver's license does not pertain directly to the ability to gain employment and is not a stipulation for minors in many jurisdictions. Documentation of school attendance, while it might be a requirement for obtaining a work permit, does not independently authorize a minor to work. Thus, without a valid work permit, minors are generally not legally permitted to hold employment.