Minimum working age · Alberta
Minimum working age in Alberta.
The youngest age a person can work in Alberta and what changes at each age. Enter an age to see the rule that applies.
Alberta: age 12 and under may work only in artistic endeavours with a permit; 13 to 14 may do listed jobs with parental consent; 15 to 17 need no permit for any type of work.
Your situation
Rule for this age
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Alberta: minimum working age rules in detail
| Point | What the source says |
|---|---|
| 12 and under | Artistic endeavours only, with a permit and parent or guardian consent |
| 13 to 14 | Listed jobs with parental consent; permit for anything else; limited hours |
| 15 to 17 | No permit for any type of work; restricted hours; no work in school hours |
Notes on this rule
The page also says there are restrictions on the jobs people under 18 can do but does not list prohibited jobs; check the Employment Standards Guide for Youth.
How to use this page
Enter an age to see the rule for that age. The bands run from the youngest age to adult, so you can step through each one to see what changes: permits, consent, hours of work and prohibited jobs.
Sources, read directly 19 October 2026: Alberta.ca - Youth employment laws.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to work in Alberta?
Alberta: age 12 and under may work only in artistic endeavours with a permit; 13 to 14 may do listed jobs with parental consent; 15 to 17 need no permit for any type of work.
What is the general minimum in Alberta?
The general position is: 13 for listed jobs; no permit needed from 15. Younger workers are covered by the permit, consent, hour and job limits listed above.
Does a family business have different rules?
The source read for Alberta does not set out a separate family-business rule on the page used here, so none is stated. Ask the employment standards office before relying on a family exception.
Is this legal advice?
No. Youth-employment rules also depend on school-attendance law, occupational health and safety rules and the specific job. This page summarises the employment standards rules the sources state; check the source or the employment standards office before hiring or starting work under the minimum age.
Where does this Alberta information come from?
Every figure on this page was read on 19 October 2026 from: Alberta.ca - Youth employment laws. The links are listed under the rules table above. If a source changes, this page is regenerated from one data file and the verified date is updated.
Reference only — not legal advice
This page states the statutory minimum working age rules from the published employment-standards legislation or the government’s own guide, read on 19 October 2026. It is not legal advice, does not model a collective agreement or an individual contract, and rules change. For a binding answer, contact the employment standards office named in the source or a lawyer.