Student Working Papers

*Families are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment, as summer office hours may vary. Scheduling in advance will help ensure staff are available to assist you promptly.*

All students between the ages of 14 and 17 are required by Pennsylvania School Law to secure a work permit. Students who have reached 18, by state law, do not need working papers. (Exceptions to this regulation are 17 year old students who have graduated or have officially withdrawn from school.)

Work Permits are available at the public high school of the district in which the student resides. It is only valid for employment within the State of Pennsylvania.

West Chester Area School District contact information:

East High School – Counseling Department: Administrative Assistant: Ashley Rosenfield, 484-266-3811; arosenfield@wcasd.net or Administrative Assistant: Christina Ayoub, 484-266-3824; cayoub@wcasd.net

Henderson High School – Main Office: Administrative Assistant: Danielle Grandizio, 484-266-3315; dgrandizio@wcasd.net or Administrative Assistant: Mariah Kyler, 484-266-3317; mkyler@wcasd.net

Rustin High School – Counseling Department: Administrative Assistant: Kelly Bidegary, 484-266-4318; kbidegary@wcasd.net or Administrative Assistant: Brett Hughes, 484-266-4311; bhughes1@wcasd.net

Out of State Employment— any student seeking employment in another State must secure a Work Permit from the school district in which the employer is located.

Application Process
Work Permit Process

Application Process

The Application for Work Permit [PDE-4565 (1/13)] (INSTRUCCIONES PARA COMPLETAR LA APLICACIÓN PARA UN PERMISO DE TRABAJO) will be filled out by the issuing officer upon inspection of acceptable evidence as proof of the minor’s age (only applies if the student does not attend a West Chester Area School District school). Acceptable evidence of age includes birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, driver’s license, or school ID as long as the form of identification lists the date of birth.
The application must include the signature of the parent/guardian before a work permit can be issued.
NOTE: Grandparent or sibling signature is not valid – unless proof of legal guardianship is provided.

Work Permit Process

The issuing officer will complete a Work Permit [PDE 4565 (1/13)] based on the information recorded on the Application for Work Permit.
The issuing officer must witness the minor’s signature as “Signature of Minor”.
The minor will be instructed that they are to keep the blue permit in their possession until their 18th birthday. The permit is transferable to any PA employer. It may be shown to the employer to be photocopied but must be returned to the student. (These instructions are on the reverse side of the blue permit.)

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In This Section

Student Working Papers

Application Process

Work Permit Process

Frequently Asked Questions:

How old do you have to be to begin working?

I'm 17 years old. Do I still need working papers?

I lost my working papers. How do I get a new set of working papers? Do I have to go through the whole process again?

I live in Pennsylvania, but I landed a job in New Jersey. Do I need to get working papers in Pennsylvania or in New Jersey?

Did the new law do away with the yellow work permit?

There is no doctor or employer section on the back of the new forms, why? Is this not needed anymore?

What is Act 151 of 2012

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