Youth Employment Certificate

Youth under the age of 18 who work in North Carolina must have a Youth Employment Certificate. You may contact the N.C. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Bureau, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. at 1-800-625-2267, if you have questions.
 

The NEW Process: Step by Step

Step 1 - Youth Instructions - Click Here

Step 2 - Employer Instructions - Click Here

Step 3 - Parent/Guardian Instructions - Click Here

Please follow the steps below, completely and in order, to obtain a valid Youth Employment Certificate. The Youth Employment Certificate must be electronically signed by the youth, the parent/guardian of the youth, and the employer prior to the first day of work.

Each party to this document may only electronically sign one time.

The signature must only reflect the actual party electronically signing this document.  All applicable state and federal laws governing electronic signatures apply here.

Article_11A.pdf (ncleg.gov)

Article_40.pdf (ncleg.gov)

Step 1: Youth Instructions

  1. Click here to begin the Youth Employment Certificate process.
  2. Once you have completed the Youth Employment Certificate process, you will receive a Youth Employment Identification (YEID) number along with a confirmation email of the Youth Employment Identification Number. The Youth Employment Identification number is not your Youth Employment Certificate.  In order to obtain the certificate, you must provide your Youth Employment Identification Number to your prospective employer. The certificate cannot be completed if the employer does not have your Youth Employment Identification Number.  No additional emails or the certificate will be received until the employer completes their process.
  3. Once the Youth Employment Identification Number is provided to the employer, the employer can begin their process.

 

After the Employer has completed the form:

  1. The youth will receive an email with a link to electronically sign their certificate.
  2. Once the youth clicks on the link in the email, the youth will enter their (youth's) name and provide their electronic signature.
  3. The youth will also enter their parent/guardian’s email address.
  4. Once the youth clicks submit, an email will be sent to the parent/guardian.
  5. The Youth Employment Certificate will not be issued without the above steps being completed.

Step 2: Employer Instructions

Employer:

  1. The youth will provide the employer with their Youth Employment Identification (YEID) number.
  2. The employer must verify the youth's age, proposed job duties and any restrictions.
  3. The employer will click on the link, to the right, to enter the appropriate business and employer information. The Youth Employment Identification number must be entered during this process.
  4. Click submit and an email will be sent to the youth for the next step in the process.
  5. The Youth Employment Certificate will not be issued without the above steps being completed.

 

After the Youth and the Parent/Guardian sign the certificate, the following will occur:

  1. The employer will receive an email with the completed youth employment certificate attached.
  2. The Youth Employment Certificate is now valid and complete. The employer shall retain a copy of the certificate for three years after the youth turns 18 or separates from employment.

Parent/Guardian Instructions

This step must be completed by the parent/guardian.

  1. The youth will sign their youth employment certificate, enter the parent/guardian email address and the parent/guardian will receive an email with a link to electronically sign the certificate.
  2. The link will have the name of the employer and the job description. After reviewing the information provided, the parent will provide their electronic signature.
  3. The parent will click submit and an email will be sent to the employer for the final step.
  4. The Youth Employment Certificate will not be issued without the above steps being completed.

How to Handle Certificates

  • The employer must verify the youth's age, proposed job duties and any restrictions. The employer shall ensure that the youth is not employed in any hazardous and detrimental occupations.
  • The Youth Employment Certificate will be signed by the youth, the parent/guardian and the employer via electronic signature.
  • All youth employment certificates must be obtained and electronically signed by the youth, the parent/guardian and the employer on or before the first day of work.
  • The certificate must be maintained by the employer for a period of three years after the youth turns 18 or separates from employment. 
  • It is NOT necessary to mail the completed certificate to the NC Department of Labor.