The Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division has developed a new online work permit application tool.  The Division carefully considered the lessons of the past few years, when pandemic restrictions made it nearly impossible for some minors to obtain work permits and decided to pursue an online application that would be available to the parents of minors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer, tablet, smartphone, or similar device. The application improves accessibility for minors who live in rural or underserved areas and eliminates the difficult logistics involved in working parents having to take off work to make a trip to a work permit office.

Parents can access the site using these instructions. Payment is made directly to the department through the application, using a credit or debit card or by ACH direct withdrawal. Once the permit application process is complete, the Department mails a paper copy of the permit directly to the employer.

The District Office is no longer able to issue work permits.    

Information on employment of minors web page is linked here, including a guide to hazardous and prohibited work, the hours and times of day restrictions for minors, and links to the appropriate statutes and codes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the DWD by email at workpermits@dwd.wisconsin.gov or by phone at (608)266-6860 (technical issues) or (608)266-7252 (username/password help).