Work Permits

The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) values the importance of students being able to work. Therefore, SBUSD issues Work Permits to students using state guidelines, as the safety and health of our students is our number one priority.

Students Wishing to Obtain a Work Permit
The student, after obtaining a promise of employment, shall obtain the work permit application (i.e. "Statement of Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for a Work Permit - Certificate of Age" (CDE Form B1-1)). SBUSD will issue Work Permits to students who meet eligibility requirements at the district level, including having and maintaining a minimum 2.0 grade point average; to learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit your students college & career center during the academic year. When issued a work permit, please check the expiration date, so that you can request a new one in a timely manner, as it may take up to 5 business days to receive a work permit.

Process for Requesting a Work Permit

When school is in session, students have two ways to submit their Work Permit Application:

Drop-Off at your School: Students can drop off their Work Permit Application (B1-1) at their school’s college & career center. Students will be notified by College and Career Center staff about when they can pick up their Work Permit.
Mail directly to your School: Students can mail their Work Permit application to their school. Please address the envelope as: Attention: Work Permit Application, and use the address for your school site.

If you plan to work during the holiday breaks and you need a work permit, please submit your work permit application ahead of time so that you will be ready to work as soon as the break starts.

During summer months, students have two ways to submit their Work Permit Application:

Drop-Off at the District Office: Students can drop off their application to the District Office at the main desk.
Mail directly to the District Office: Please address the envelope: Attention - Education Services Work Permit, 720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Dates for 2025-2026 School Year:

All Academic Year Issued Work Permits will expire in 1 year from the date they were issued.

The District Office will begin issuing work permits during the summer from June 11th, 2025 - August 15, 2025
Summer 2025 Issued Work Permits will expire on Monday, August 25th 2025.
After Summer 2025 School Sites will begin issuing work permits August 20, 2025 - June 10, 2026

Work Permit Application: SBUSD Work Permit Application B1-1 Form

2025 Work Permit Checklist

Students, along with the parent/guardian and employer will fill out the Work Permit application using “wet” original signatures; scanned documents will not be accepted. Please allow for 3-5 business days for the work permit to be issued.

Once the Work Permit Application (B1-1) form is approved:

Upon request, work permits can be mailed to the student via the US Postal Service. Students are encouraged to keep personal copies of all their work permit documents.

Resource:

https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/knowyourrights/

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there specific criteria that students must meet in order to obtain a work permit?

Yes. Only students age 12 and older may receive work permits. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher (C grade average), using a weighted GPA. Students cannot be failing any of their classes. If a student does not meet the eligibility criteria, the student should connect with their counselor and principal at their school of attendance to consider developing a support plan.

Are there limits on the number of hours that students may work during the school year?

Yes.

12 & 13 Year Olds:
2 hours per school day and a maximum of 4 hours per week. 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., except from June 1st through Labor Day, until 9 p.m.

14 & 15 Year Olds:
3 hours per school day outside of school hours; 8 hours on any non-school day; 18 hours per week; 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, until 9 p.m.

16 & 17 Year Olds:
4 hours per day on any school day; 8 hours on any non-school day or on any day preceding a non-school day; 48 hours per week. Work Experience Education (WEE) students & personal attendants may work more than 4 hours on a school day, but never more than 8.

5 a.m. - 10 p.m. However, until 12:30 a.m. on any evening preceding a non-school day. WEE students, with permission, until 12:30 a.m. on any day

Are there restrictions on the types of work a student can do on a Work Permit?

Yes. Please read the General Summary of Minors’ Work Regulations for more information.

The most common restrictions are: students are not able to drive a motor vehicle on public roads, and therefore cannot be asked to perform food deliveries or valet cars on public roads; students cannot work with power-driven machinery on construction sites; students must use non-hazardous cleaning materials only.

Does the Work Permit have an expiration date?

Yes. A Work Permit is no longer valid and will expire when a the student quits or leaves a job. A new work permit application must be filled out for each job. Students who work with multiple employers will have multiple Work Permits issued to them, but the total number of hours worked in a day or a week from their jobs combined must not exceed legal limits.

Additionally, by law, all Work Permits in the state of California must expire shortly after the opening of school in the fall. This is to ensure that students report to school in the fall before continuing to work after summer vacation.

EXAMPLE: If a student obtains a job and Work Permit in June and still has the same job in September, their permit will expire in August, and the student would have to obtain a new work permit for the new school year, even though it is for the same job.

Can a Work Permit be taken away?

Yes. Work Permits can be canceled and taken away at any time by a high school administrator. In addition, a Work Permit can be canceled at a parent's request with good reason. Good reasons for canceling a work permit include: job does not fit legal requirements for minors, hours scheduled create a truancy or absence problem for the student, or demands of job are causing the student to fail classes at school.

My student is not enrolled in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, but we live in the area. Can my student apply for a work permit with SBUSD?

Does a Work Permit require school attendance?

Yes. Students under 18 years of age must attend school to get a work permit. If a student graduates from high school before age 18, he or she no longer needs a work permit.

If a student passes the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or the G.E.D. before the age of 18, he or she no longer needs a work permit. When an employer hires someone under 18 years old who has graduated, passed the CHSPE or G.E.D., the document verifying that fact must be given to the employer as proof that no work permit is required. Emancipated minors must attend school in order to get a work permit.

Emancipated minors are still required to get a work permit before being employed but may obtain the work permit without parent consent and signature.