Booking child models in United States: California.
What the official sources say about permits, hours, school, supervision and earnings for models under 18. Checked October 2026.
Who decides
Labor Commissioner's Office (Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Department of Industrial Relations).
Permit or licence
A permit from the Labor Commissioner is required to employ any minor as an advertising or photographic model (Labor Code § 1308.5(a)(7)). Minors aged 15 days to 18 years in entertainment need an Entertainment Work Permit. Employers need a Permit to Employ. Permits are needed even for non commercial work (DLSE). The parent or guardian applies, online or by mail. The permit must be renewed every 6 months until age 18. A 10 day temporary permit also exists. For ages 14 to 17, the applicant must complete sexual harassment prevention training first. The employer's permit is valid only while its workers' compensation policy is valid.
Age bands
15 days to 18 years. Hour bands: 15 days to 6 months, 6 months to 2 years, 2 to 6, 6 to 9, 9 to 16, 16 to 18 (8 CCR § 11760).
Working hours
Per 24 hours (8 CCR § 11760): 15 days to 6 months, 2 hours at the workplace and 20 minutes work. No light over 100 foot candles for more than 30 seconds at a time. 6 months to 2 years, 4 hours at the workplace, max 2 hours work. 2 to 6, 6 hours, max 3 hours work. 6 to 9, 8 hours: 4 hours work and 3 hours school on school days, or 6 hours work on non school days, plus 1 hour rest. 9 to 16, 9 hours: 5 hours work and 3 hours school, or 7 hours work on non school days, plus 1 hour rest. 16 to 18, 10 hours: 6 hours work and 3 hours school, or 8 hours work on non school days, plus 1 hour rest. 12 hours between dismissal and next call. Requests to work earlier or later must go to the Labor Commissioner in writing at least 48 hours ahead. The start and end times of day are not stated in the sections checked.
School
On school days the time at the workplace includes at least 3 hours of schooling for ages 6 and over. Ages 14 to 18 with school permission may work up to 8 hours on no more than 2 consecutive days. If school starts less than 12 hours after dismissal, the minor must be schooled at the employer's place the next day (8 CCR § 11760).
Chaperone and supervision
A parent or guardian of a minor under 16 must be present on set or location and within sight or sound at all times (8 CCR § 11757). Ages 15 days to 6 weeks: a nurse and a studio teacher for every 3 or fewer babies. 6 weeks to 6 months: one nurse and one studio teacher for every 10 or fewer infants (8 CCR § 11760(a)(2)).
Earnings
Coogan law: for contracts covered by Family Code § 6750, the employer must set aside 15% of gross earnings into a Coogan Trust Account. This applies whether or not a court approved the contract. Extras and background performers are excluded (§ 6752). The trustee must open the account within 7 business days after the contract is signed (§ 6753). The employer must deposit within 15 business days after receiving the trustee's statement and the birth certificate (§ 6752(b)(4)). No withdrawal before 18 or emancipation without a court order (§ 6753). § 6750 covers 'artistic or creative services' including any 'other performer'. It does not name models expressly.
Good to know
Since 2019 talent agencies must give artists materials on sexual harassment prevention, nutrition and eating disorders (DLSE). Each minor's permit can be checked online through the DLSE verification tool.
Official sources