TENNESSEE CHILD LABOR RULES FOR FILM + PHOTO PRODUCTIONS
Planning a film, commercial or photography production involving minors in Tennessee?
Productions should review both Tennessee child labor laws and applicable federal requirements before hiring or scheduling minor talent. Tennessee's Department of Labor + Workforce Development enforces the state's Child Labor Act.
DOES TENNESSEE REQUIRE A WORK PERMIT FOR MINORS?
No. Tennessee does not require a traditional work permit for minors.
Employers must, however, maintain documentation verifying the minor's age, such as a:
Birth certificate
Driver's license
State-issued ID
Passport
Tennessee Child Labor Information
WORK HOURS FOR 14 + 15 YEAR OLDS
When school is in session, 14- and 15-year-olds generally may work:
Maximum 3 hours on a school day
Maximum 18 hours during a school week
Between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM
When school is not in session:
Maximum 8 hours per day
Maximum 40 hours per week
Between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM
They may not work during school hours.
WORK HOURS FOR 16 + 17 YEAR OLDS
Tennessee does not generally limit the total number of hours a 16- or 17-year-old may work, but they cannot be required to work during school hours.
On Sunday through Thursday nights preceding a school day, they generally cannot work between:
10:00 PM and 6:00 AM
With a signed parental or guardian consent form, they may work until midnight on up to three of those nights per week.
Tennessee Parental Consent Form
BREAKS FOR MINORS
A minor scheduled to work six consecutive hours must receive a 30-minute unpaid meal or rest break.
The break cannot be scheduled during or before the first hour of work.
DOES TENNESSEE REQUIRE A STUDIO TEACHER?
Tennessee's general child labor rules do not establish the California-style studio teacher requirement that many film producers may be familiar with.
That does not mean schooling can simply be ignored. Tennessee restricts employment during required school hours, and compulsory education requirements may also apply depending on the child's age and circumstances.
For a production involving school-age talent—particularly younger children, multiple production days or filming during the school year—confirm the specific requirements with the Tennessee Department of Labor + Workforce Development before finalizing the schedule.
HAZARDOUS WORK + SET SAFETY
Tennessee prohibits minors from working in a number of hazardous occupations.
For productions, this means special attention should be paid when scenes or locations involve things such as:
Motor vehicles
Heavy or powered equipment
Construction activity
Demolition
Roofing
Excavation
Explosives
Other potentially hazardous working conditions
The production should evaluate what the minor is actually being asked to do, rather than assuming that being on a film or photo set automatically makes an activity permissible.
EMPLOYER RECORDS
Employers of minors must maintain records for each minor, including:
Employment application
Proof of age
Accurate daily time records
Applicable exemption documentation
Parental consent documentation when required
Tennessee also requires employers to make these records available for inspection by the Department of Labor.
IMPORTANT FOR PRODUCTIONS WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN
Tennessee's general child labor guidance states that a minor must generally be 14 years old before they can be employed.
Productions seeking to hire actors, models or other talent under 14 should not assume that the standard rules for older minors apply. Contact the Tennessee Department of Labor + Workforce Development directly to determine what exemptions, approvals or other requirements apply to the specific production.
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR + WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The Labor Standards Unit is the best official resource for questions about employing minors in Tennessee.
Labor Standards Unit: 844-224-5818
Tennessee Workplace Regulations + Compliance
Tennessee Child Labor Poster + Requirements
QUICK PRODUCTION CHECKLIST
Before booking minor talent for a Tennessee film or photo production, confirm:
Minor's age
School schedule
Legal working hours
Required breaks
Parent or guardian consent
Proof-of-age documentation
Accurate timekeeping
Any hazardous activity or equipment
Federal child labor requirements
Any special requirements for talent under 14
This page is intended as a general production resource and is not legal advice. Child labor requirements can vary based on age, schooling, employment arrangement and the work being performed. Productions should confirm current state and federal requirements before employing minor talent.