Your child got the part—what's next?
KidsCasting is the best place for parents of talented kids to find safe and easy casting calls for acting and modeling. Thousands of families use the site to find real jobs in fashion, movies, TV shows, and commercials.
But when your child gets a part, the excitement often comes with questions, especially about the law. One of the most common questions is, "Does my child need a work permit to model or act?"
In a lot of cases, yes. Knowing the rules ahead of time can help you avoid stress, delays, or even missing out on chances.
What does it mean to have a child work permit?
A child work permit, also known as an employment or entertainment permit, is a legal document that lets kids work. These permits are meant to protect kids in the entertainment business by keeping an eye on:
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Hours of work
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Going to school
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Conditions on set
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Breaks and pay
Most legitimate productions will want to see proof of a valid permit before your child can work.
Do all child actors and models need a permit?
Depending on where you live and where the job is, child labor laws are very different. Not only are there federal rules in the US, but there are also state rules.
For instance:
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Almost all child performers need work permits in California and New York.
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Some states may not require models to be a certain age or have different rules for modeling and acting.
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International jobs may have very different laws that apply to them.
Before letting their kids take a job, parents should check with the local labor department or the production team directly.
Requirements that are often needed to get a work permit
Most child work permits have some or all of the following requirements, though they may differ:
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Age verification. Most of the time, you need a birth certificate or passport.
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Permission from the school. A lot of permits need your child's school to sign a form saying they are doing well in school.
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Clearance from a doctor. Some states require a recent physical exam to make sure your child is healthy enough to work.
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Permission from parents. A parent or legal guardian must give their permission for the job.
Often, permits need to be renewed every six months or every year.
Parents need to know about work hour limits
One of the main reasons for child labor laws is to keep kids from working too much. Regulations usually say:
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Maximum hours per day and week
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Earliest times to call and latest times to wrap up
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Required breaks for meals and rest
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Required school hours (whether on set or off set)
These rules change with age. For instance, babies may only be allowed to be on set for a few hours total, while teens can work longer but still have limits.
If something seems wrong, parents can better speak up for their child if they know these rules.
Are modeling jobs and acting jobs the same?
Sometimes, but not all the time.
In some states, print modeling or runway work may have slightly different rules, especially for older teens. But a lot of places treat all kinds of entertainment work the same under child labor laws.
That's why it's important to prepare for modeling jobs in the same way you would for acting jobs. If you're new to this field, looking at real modeling casting calls for kids can help you understand what professional, legal opportunities look like.
What happens if you don't have a permit?
If you work without a required permit, you could face serious consequences, such as:
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Taking the child out of the project
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Fines for the company that makes the movie
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Missed chances in the future
This is a risk that professional productions usually won't take, which is why they often ask for permits early on in the booking process.
How KidsCasting keeps parents safe
KidsCasting doesn't just help talented kids find casting opportunities; it helps them find real ones. We’re proud to work with industry-leading brands and casting directors, including Nintendo, Macy’s, Target, Paramount, NYFW, Baby Gap, Carter’s, and many more. Top companies consistently choose KidsCasting to discover fresh, new talent. Most of the casting calls on our platform are from productions that know and follow the laws about child labor.
Last thoughts
Getting a role is an exciting step, but it's just the start. To have a good experience in acting or modeling, you need to know if your child needs a work permit, how to get one, and what labor laws protect them.
Kids can safely, legally, and confidently pursue their talents when their parents use trusted sites like KidsCasting.
