NEW Youth Employment Certificate page

How to Obtain a Youth Employment Certificate

A Youth Employment Certificate (YEC) must be completed on or before the youth's first day of employment.  The process is completed through the NC Department of Labor's online portal.  The steps to obtain the certificate will involve the employer, youth, and parent/guardian (in that order).

For questions regarding the process, you may contact the N.C. Department of Labor - Wage & Hour Bureau, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.  To reach the Wage & Hour Bureau, select option 1 on each of the three menus.  1-800-625-2267.

A quick summary of the youth employment certificate process:

Employer:  Enters employer and youth information, then electronically signs.  The youth will receive an email to continue.

Youth: Verifies/completes their information, provides a parent/guardian email, and electronically signs.  Date of birth must match employer's entry.

Parent/Guardian: Receives an email, reviews the certificate, and electronically signs.

NCDOL: Issues the completed Youth Employment Certificate to the employer by email.
 

Step 1 - Employer Instructions - Click Here

Step 2 - Youth Instructions - Click Here

Step 3 - Parent/Guardian Instructions - Click Here

Step 1: Employer Instructions

The employer enters:

  • Business name and address
  • Telephone number and email address
  • Youth's occupation
  • Industry
  • Youth's name
  • Youth's date of birth

The employer then electronically signs the certificate.  An email will be sent to the youth for the next step in the process.

Step 2: Youth Completes Their Information

Step 2: Youth Completes Their Information

The youth will receive an email with instructions for completing their portion of the certificate.

The youth will enter:

  • Their name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Telephone number
  • Email address
  • Parent or guardian's email address.  Youth must enter parent/guardian's email twice for matching and verification purposes.

Important: The youth's date of birth must match the date of birth entered by the employer.

The youth will then electronically sign the ceritificate.

Step 3: Parent or Guardian Reviews and Signs

The parent or guardian receives an email after the youth completes their portion.

The parent or guardian:

  • Reviews a preview of the Youth Employment Certificate
  • Electronically signs the certificate

Step 4: NCDOL Issues the Certificate

After all required information and electronic signatures are received, the N.C. Department of Labor issues the Youth Employment Certificate to the employer.  An email will be sent to the employer with the issued youth employment certificate attached.

Step 5: Youth May Begin Work

Once the certificate has been issued to the employer, the youth may begin work.

Remember:  The Youth Employment Certificate process should be completed before the youth begins working.

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 Departmenr of Labor.