Almost all minors under the age of 18 are subject to California's child labor protections. Minors employed in the state of California must have a Permit to Employ and Work (commonly referred to as a "work permit").Children ages 12 and 13 can only work on days when there is no school. The law allows them to work up to eight hours a day and no more than 40 hours a week. This section explains the employment of minors. It includes exceptions and restrictions, work permits, record keeping, wages and possible penalties. The general rule is that the legal working age in California is 14-years-old, but anybody under the age of 18 must have a work permit. California follows a state minimum wage law. In California, almost all minors under 18 years old are subject to the state's child labor protections under the California Labor Code. Minors, their parents, and employers should know about the laws that protect children at work.