(a) A minor who is either fourteen (14) or fifteen (15) years of age may be employed in connection with any gainful occupation that:

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 50-5-104

  • Minor: means a person of either sex under eighteen (18) years of age, unless otherwise provided. See Tennessee Code 50-5-102
  • School days: means any day when normal classes are in session during the regular school year in the school district. See Tennessee Code 50-5-102
  • School hours: means that period of time during a school day when school is in session and students are required to attend classes. See Tennessee Code 50-5-102
  • Week: means a fixed and regularly recurring period of seven (7) consecutive days. See Tennessee Code 50-5-102
(1) Does not interfere with the minor’s schooling, health or well-being;
(2) Is not prohibited by subsection (b); or
(3) Is not prohibited by § 50-5-106.
(b) A minor who is either fourteen (14) or fifteen (15) years of age may not be employed:

(1) During school hours;
(2) Between the hours of seven o’clock p.m. (7:00 p.m.) and seven o’clock a.m. (7:00 a.m.), if the next day is a school day;
(3) Between the hours of nine o’clock p.m. (9:00 p.m.) and six o’clock a.m. (6:00 a.m.);
(4) More than three (3) hours a day on school days;
(5) More than eighteen (18) hours a week during a school week;
(6) More than eight (8) hours a day on nonschool days; or
(7) More than forty (40) hours a week during nonschool weeks.
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