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.
There are very important rules and regulations that must be adhered to when incorporating drone photography. Drones are permitted in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to FAA regulations and flight restrictions put into place by local governments. Drone operators are required to be FAA Certified and follow standard federal guidelines. Maintaining proper distance from no-fly-zone locations, such as airports, and avoiding highly populated areas are just two of the safety precautions that must be adhered to. Drone operators must obtain permission from the controlling entities in the areas where drone photography will be taking place: including but not limited to local municipalities, parks departments, and the Department of Transportation. In some cases, the State Police, must be formally notified.
General information about usage of drones can be found at:
https://www.faa.gov/uas
For specific information and guidance on the use of drones in New Jersey, contact the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission
Special effects sequences, depending on their nature and scope, may require specific permits and/or permissions from the state, its counties, or municipalities.
Effects using explosives must be performed by an effects coordinator who is LICENSED TO USE EXPLOSIVES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. Advanced inspection of a given site by the local utility companies may also be necessary in some cases.
Pyrotechnical effects must be performed in cooperation with local fire department officials, who may inspect designated location sites and materials to be used. In certain instances, permission from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection must also be granted.
Your first contact when using and storing devices and materials related to explosives and squibs is:
Inspector Dave Melegari
Department of Labor & Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Plaza, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 386
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-203-2084
Inspector Samantha Lewis
Department of Labor & Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Plaza, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 386
Trenton, NJ 08625
908-334-4905
Once the Municipalities are informed and approve, the Division of Fire Safety gives final approval.
EXPLOSIVE PERMIT APPLICATION:
For Environmental Impact/Safety Review:
Joe Corleto
Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Permit Coordination and Environmental Review
609-292-9451
Although working automatic and semi-automatic weapons are illegal in New Jersey, provisions have been made for the use of theatrical firearms of every variety. Written authorization must be obtained from the New Jersey State Police in order to use or transport such theatrical firearms in state. Out-of-state permits are not valid. In addition, specific information about the firearms and the parties responsible for them must be provided to both the New Jersey State Police and to the local police in the jurisdiction where said weapons are to be used.
Please send all firearm requests via email to: firearmsinvestunit@njsp.org
The Firearms Investigation Unit of the New Jersey State Police can be contacted at 609-882-2000 Ext. 2060, 2061, 2063, 2064 or 6617.
Consult the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission for further information.
SAFETY BULLETINS:
In order for a production company to work in New Jersey and apply for the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, the production company must register to do business in the state and obtain a New Jersey tax ID number. This process applies to legal entities only [Corporations, Nonprofit Corporations, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP), Etc.]. The link below will give you detailed steps to guide you, as well as a link to help you check on the current registration status of an existing business.
A production company filming in New Jersey and applying for the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program must utilize vendors registered to do business in the state. Purchases, rentals and services MUST be obtained from NJ registered vendors in order for associated expenses to qualify for tax credits.
To determine the business registration status:
Enter the first four letters of the business NAME and the BUSINESS ENTITY I.D.# in the appropriate fields, and click SEARCH
The current Sales Tax rate is 6.625% and the specially designated Urban Enterprise Zones rate is one half the Sales Tax rate. Certain items are exempt from sales tax, such as food, clothing, drugs, and manufacturing/processing machinery and equipment. A resale exemption also exists. Click here to learn more about the UEZ Program.
Hotel Room Occupancy Tax is 5%, but occupancies of 90 or more consecutive days are exempt.
Information about our state’s Sales Tax Exemption for Filmmakers can be found here.
The Workman's Compensation rate in New Jersey is currently 74 cents per 100 dollars of payroll. For more information, contact the Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau at 201-622-6014.
For more specific information about New Jersey Tax Laws, contact the New Jersey Division of Taxation at 609-292-5995.
IMPORTANT: Please note that all production companies and associated vendors working in the State of New Jersey must register with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) for tax purposes.
Information about this is available at:
https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/film.shtml
If you need further information or have any questions, contact:
Luis Mayen
Division of Taxation
973-648-7182 (office)
609-306-2115 (cell)
Most of New Jersey falls under the jurisdiction of the unions and guilds based in New York City. They are as follows:
|
SAG/AFTRA |
|
Directors Guild Of America |
|
Writers Guild Of America East |
|
IATSE General Office |
|
IATSE Local 52, Studio Mechanics |
|
IATSE Local 161, Script Supervisors, Production Office Coordinators, Production Auditors |
|
IATSE Local 600, Cinematographers |
|
IATSE Local 764, Theatrical Wardrobe |
|
Editors Guild IATSE Local 700 |
|
IATSE Local 798, Makeup And Hair |
|
American Federation Of Musicians, Local 802 |
|
International Brotherhood Of Teamsters, Local 817 |
|
Scenic Artists, Local 829 |
Productions seeking to recap or disconnect service for streetlights must first fill out an application. More information about this process can be found on the PSE&G website at this location:
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