Need a Work Permit?  Full details and forms can be found in this link!→ → → → → → →

Frequently Asked Questions about Work Permits

What is a work permit and where can I get one?

A work permit is a legal document required by the state of California that allows a person under 18 years of age to hold a job. Work permits can be requested from SVHS in the College and Career Center. There are several steps involved in obtaining a work permit:

1. Obtain a work permit application at the front desk in the main office or in the SVHS College & Career Center (or the application form may be downloaded from the California State Department of Education website) (click here).

2. Before you are issued a work permit, please check your grades! Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA without any Ds or Fs. We will not issue you a work permit if you do not meet these requirements.

3. Fill out the personal information at the top of the application, get your prospective employer to fill out the information required in the middle portion, and have a parent or guardian sign the bottom portion of the application. A work permit cannot be issued without a Social Security number, please make sure to complete this information.

4. We will no longer issue work permits for students who live in our district but attend schools outside of our district.  Those students must obtain work permits from their own institutions.

5. Drop off the completed work permit application to Wendy Swanson in the  SVHS College & Career Center (wswanson@sonomaschools.org) who will process the application. Please allow 24-48 hours to process the Work Permit.

6. Pick up your work permit in the CCC, then sign, date and take the completed work permit (CDE Form B1-4) back to your employer.

At what age can I get a work permit?

Minors aged 14 through 17 are required to get work permits before starting a job. A minor under the age of 14 cannot receive a work permit except in the entertainment industry.

Does a work permit require school attendance?

Minors under 18 years of age must attend school regularly to get a work permit. If a student graduates from high school before age 18, he or she no longer needs a work permit.  Minors are not allowed to work during school hours, even during period of distance learning.

Can a work permit be taken away?

Yes, the work permit can be cancelled and taken away at any time by a high school administrator. In addition, a work permit can be cancelled at a parent's request with good reason. The most common reason for revoking a work permit is poor grades. A student must meet the grade requirements listed above. Reasons for canceling a work permit may also include: hours scheduled create a truancy or absence problem for the student, or demands of job are causing student to fail classes at school.

When does a work permit expire?

A minor must obtain a work permit for each job. A work permit is no longer valid when a minor quits or leaves a job. A new work permit application must be filled out for each new job. In addition, all work permits in the state of California expire five days after the opening of school in the fall. This is to insure that all minors report to school in the fall before continuing to work after summer vacation. Therefore, if a minor obtained a job and work permit in June and still had that same job in September, the work permit would expire. The minor would need to obtain a new work permit for the new school year even though it was for the same continuing job.

For further information: Link to the FAQ page on the State of California Department of Education website or contact the SVHS College and Career Center.