How to Get a Minor Work Permit in Michigan

In order to employ minors under the age of 18 in the State of Michigan, employers and workers must obtain work permits. The process for this changed on October 2nd, 2026, as an effort to make the process easier and work permits more accessible.

Here is everything you need to know in order to get a minor work permit in Michigan.

Work Permits for Minors in Michigan

The Michigan Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA) establishes rules and regulations regarding the employment of minors under the age of 18. 

Part of those regulations include requirements for work permits. Before a minor is able to start work, they must obtain one.

As of October 2nd, 2026, work permits in Michigan must be obtained exclusively through the State of Michigan’s centralized work permit system, called the Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP).

Youth Employment Permit Portal

The Youth Employment Permit Portal was created to make obtaining work permits easier for minor employees and their employers. 

Using the portal, minor employees can:

• Apply for a minor work permit
• Learn about youth workers' rights
• Report violations
• Search for employers

The portal also provides a help center, troubleshooting guides, and live support.

YEPP Login Instructions

To access the portal, users will need to log in through MiLogin.

For those who already have an account, search for the Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP) and add it to your applications.

For those who don't, you'll need to create one first. In order to create an account, you'll need to provide a unique email address and/or mobile phone number.

Checklist for Obtaining a Minor Work Permit in Michigan

In order to obtain a minor work permit in Michigan, there is a series of steps to be followed. The permit applicant, employer, and the applicant's parent or legal guardian all have tasks to complete. 

Here is a checklist for obtaining a work permit in Michigan, broken down in order and by the responsible party:

Applicant Checklist

The process starts with the permit applicant, or in other words, the minor employee.

Step One: Start the Work Permit Application

The permit applicant begins the process through the My Work Permit page in the Youth Employment Permit Portal.

1. Go to the My Work Permit page.
2. Select Start Application.
3. Follow the progress guide displayed in the portal. This page will also serve as the main place to track the application and see what still needs to be completed.  

Step Two: Enter Personal Information

Next, complete the personal information requested by the application. Some basic contact information may already be populated.

The application requests information including:

• Identification and demographic information
• Last four digits of the young worker's Social Security number
• Accessibility or accommodation information
• Home address

Use the platform's address search feature to find and confirm the correct home address.

Step Three: Identify a Parent or Legal Guardian

Next, select the parent or legal guardian who will be associated with the application.

The selected parent or guardian will be able to review information and, when required, provide confirmation or consent later in the process. 

Step Four: Provide School Information

Next, provide information about your current education and school schedule.

You will be asked to:

• Indicate your current enrollment status.
• Provide recent grade information.
• Search for and select your school.
• Enter the days you attend school.
• Enter your school start and end times.

This information is used to provide context when the proposed work schedule is reviewed later in the process.   

Step Five: Identify the Employer and Worksite

Next, provide information about the job and employer:

1. Indicate whether the job involves a parent or guardian's business or farm.
2. Use the search tool to find and select the company or worksite.
3. Select the appropriate employer contact who should receive the application notification.
4. If the appropriate person is not already listed, enter the new employer contact information.     

Step Six: Review and Submit the Application

Before submitting, review the information entered into the application.

You'll need to confirm that the following information is accurate:

• Personal/profile information

• Home address

• School information

• Employer information

Complete the required acknowledgment and submit the application.

After submission, the portal will indicate what happens next. The employer will be responsible for completing the job information, while the parent or guardian may also need to complete their portion of the process.

The applicant can continue tracking the application's status through the portal.   

Employer Checklist

Once the application is submitted, the employer must complete the following steps: 

Step Seven: Open the Young Worker's Job Authorization

Once the applicant has submitted their portion, the employer begins the Job Authorization process.

From the Job Authorization dashboard:

1. Find applications awaiting employer action.

2. Open the appropriate application.

3. Choose an existing job template, if applicable, or enter the job information manually. 
   

Step Eight: Enter the Job Duties and Position Information

Next, provide detailed information about the position the applicant will perform.

The employer will need to: 

1. Confirm whether the position involves employment by a parent or guardian.

2. Select the appropriate job categories.

3. Select the duties the applicant will perform.

4. Enter the job title.

5. Identify the tools and equipment that will be used.
   

The selected duties are summarized in the application to document the specific work the applicant will perform.

Step Nine: Enter the Proposed Work Schedule

The portal displays the applicant's school schedule alongside applicable employment limits.

The employer then enters the proposed employment schedule, including:

• Employment start date

• Workdays

• Start and end times/hours

• Breaks

When the same hours apply to multiple days, the portal allows those hours to be applied across multiple days. 

Step Ten: Enter Pay Information

Next, enter the young worker's compensation information, including the hourly wage and any tips if applicable.

Step Eleven: Review and Submit the Job Authorization

Before submitting the employer portion, employers should: 

1. Verify whether you can confirm the young worker's age.
2. Proceed to Review and Submit.
3. Review the job classification, duties, job title, equipment, schedule, and other job information.
4. Make corrections if necessary.
5. Complete the required acknowledgments regarding the accuracy of the information and the employer's responsibilities.
6. Submit the job authorization.

After submission, the permit remains pending until any required parent/guardian and state approvals are completed. 

Applicant's Parent or Legal Guardian Checklist

Once the Job Authorization has been submitted, the applicant's parent or legal guardian must complete a few steps as well.

Step Twelve: Complete Any Required Parent/Guardian Action

The parent or legal guardian can review the proposed employment information and understand the job the applicant will perform.

Parental action is not required in every application. Instead, it depends on whether or not the job involves conditions requiring caregiver approval.

When consent or confirmation is required, the parent or guardian completes the requested action through the portal. The dashboard indicates whether an application requires their attention. 

What Happens After an Application Is Complete?

After the necessary portions of the process are completed, the state provides oversight and reviews the records associated with the permit process.

The system tracks applications awaiting action, certificate statuses, participant actions, history, and other information throughout the permit lifecycle. The applicant can continue tracking the application's status through the portal.

Once the process is complete and a certificate is issued. The young worker can see the permit's status through the portal, while the employer can access issued certificates through the Certificates page and review the certificate number, type, issue date, status, restrictions, and expiration information. The parent or guardian can review the certificate, confirm its status, and download a copy.

Thanks to the new system, employers no longer need to keep work permits on file at their place of business.

School Involvement

While the school no longer handles the initial application process, they are still connected to the employment record.

School administrators can review certificate information and may take action if education-related concerns arise. For example, a school can temporarily suspend a certificate because of poor attendance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions regarding minor work permits in Michigan:

When do Michigan employers need to start using the Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP)?

Employers and employees in Michigan must start using the new portal as of October 2nd, 2026.

Will permits issued before October 2nd still be valid?

Yes. A valid work permit issued by a Michigan school before YEPP launches will continue to be honored. A minor will not need to obtain a new permit. However, employers MUST continue to keep pre-existing work permits on file. A new YEPP permit will be required if the minor changes employers.

Can schools still issue minor work permits in Michigan?

No. While school administrators can review certificate information and may take action if education-related concerns arise, they are no longer involved in the process of obtaining an initial permit. 

What was the old process for getting a minor work permit in Michigan?

Prior to the new portal, work permits were obtained from the school of the applicant and were issued by a school official. 

Get Help with Michigan Employee Onboarding

If you are struggling with the new process for obtaining work permits in Michigan, or are struggling with other challenges involving hiring and onboarding new employees, a Michigan HR company may be able to help. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we help employers maintain a smooth hiring and onboarding process.