IMPORTANT NEWS: As of August 1st, 2026, New Jersey's Child Labor Laws, Regulations, and Permitting Process has been updated, including a completely new online process that covers both the old Emergent Permit and Formal Permit. Please note that the old link for working papers no longer covers theatrical production work for minors.
Your new NJ Department of Labor links for all Child Labor Theatrical Permits are:
All productions are strongly advised to contact Charles Ricciardi at the New Jersey Motion Picture & TV Commission (charles.ricciardi@njeda.gov / 609-404-8984) or contact the NJ DOL Wage & Hour Division (whtheatrical@dol.nj.gov / 609-292-7880) to review this NEW process.
As before, any individual or company hiring a minor (a person under 18 years of age) for stage or production work, including rehearsals and fittings, must first obtain New Jersey Child Labor Permits. There is no charge for these permits. Child labor permits or working papers from other states are NOT valid for work in New Jersey.
Days prior to a school day (i.e. Typically Sunday-Thursday):
Days prior to non-school day (Typically Friday and Saturday):
The maximum working time and time on set are regulated by the minor's age, as follows:
| Age Range | Maximum Work Time | Maximum Time on Set |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Days - 6 Months | 20 Minutes | 2 hours |
| 6 Months – Under 2 Years | 2 Hours | 4 hours |
| 2 Years – Under 6 Years | 3 Hours | 6 hours |
| 6 Years - Under 9 Years | 4 hours (school day) and 6 Hours (non-school day) | 8 hours |
| 9 Years – Under 16 Years | 5 Hours (school day) and 7 hours (non-school day) | 9 hours |
| 16 Years – Under 18 Years | 6 Hours (school day) and 9 Hours (non-school day) | 10 hours |
Parents/guardians and employers may request a waiver from a specific requirement(s) for issuance of a permit by the NJDOL:
The NJDOL will set forth the terms of any waiver within the permit itself. NJDOL may also issue waivers electronically. Employers must keep a copy of the waiver at the workplace.
If the minor is scheduled to work for three or more days a week for an employer, the employer must provide an average of at least 3 hours of teaching time for each day of school missed within the work week, calculated on a weekly basis.
For example, if the minor is scheduled to work for 6 days in one week and 3 of those days are school days, the employer must also provide 9 hours of scheduled teaching time to make up for the 3 missed days of school. However, the employer may spread those 9 hours of teaching time out over all 6 days of work.
The employer must provide a teacher who is credentialed for the level of education required by State law from the third missed day of school through the remainder of the minor's employment.
The minor must be under the direct care and supervision of an adult who is either a parent, guardian, or designated representative during their entire employment. This includes when they live away from home because it's required as an incident of the employment.
Please note:
Doctor’s Notes for minors are required only for those children 7 years old and under. Notes need to be signed by a doctor within the past year.
Trust Accounts are not required in the State of New Jersey – however, out of state minors must adhere to the requirements of their home state.
Most New Jersey counties, cities, towns, state parks, county parks, national parks, historic sites, highways, railroad and airport terminals, and military posts have their own unique regulations pertaining to production. New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission staff members are well versed in these matters and should be consulted before specific communities are approached.
As a rule, filmmakers working in New Jersey are required to carry general liability insurance in the amount of $1 million ($2 million in the City of Newark). Additional insurance may be required of crews using pyrotechnic effects or performing stunts. Property owners must be relieved of all liability in connection with production work taking place on their respective locations. Typically, production companies are asked to present certificates of insurance naming property owners as "additional insured."
Official Site of The State of New Jersey