How Many Hours Can a Child Actor Work in California?
California child actor work hours vary by age and whether school is in session. State law limits not only work activity, but also the total amount of time a minor may spend at the production site, including schooling, meals, and breaks.
These rules are governed by California Labor Code and enforced by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).
Why California Child Actor Work Hour Laws Matter
California has some of the strictest child actor laws in the entertainment industry. Productions working with minors must carefully manage schedules, call times, schooling, meal periods, and rest requirements to remain compliant.
Even small scheduling mistakes can quickly lead to violations, especially on fast-moving film and television productions.
California Child Actor Work Hours
15 Days to 6 Months
Infants may only engage in 20 minutes of work activity and may remain at the employment site for a maximum of 2 hours. California also limits lighting exposure and restricts the times of day infants may work.
6 Months to 2 Years
Children in this age group may work up to 2 hours and spend a maximum of 4 hours at the employment site. Remaining time must be used for rest and recreation.
2 Years to 6 Years
Minors ages 2 to 6 may perform up to 3 hours of work activity and spend a maximum of 6 hours at the production site.
6 Years to 9 Years
When school is in session:
4 hours work activity
3 hours schooling
1 hour rest and recreation
8 hours maximum at the employment site
When school is not in session:
6 hours work activity
1 hour rest and recreation
9 Years to 16 Years
When school is in session:
5 hours work activity
3 hours schooling
1 hour rest and recreation
9 hours maximum at the employment site
When school is not in session:
7 hours work activity
1 hour rest and recreation
16 Years to 18 Years
When school is in session:
6 hours work activity
3 hours schooling
1 hour rest and recreation
10 hours maximum at the employment site
When school is not in session:
8 hours work activity
1 hour rest and recreation
Additional California Child Actor Rules
California law also requires:
a 12-hour turnaround between dismissal and next day’s call time
meal periods within 6 hours of call time or the previous meal period
a maximum of 8 actual work hours per day
a maximum of 48 work hours per week
California minors working outside the state under California contractual arrangements must still comply with California child labor laws and regulations.
Why Productions Need a Studio Teacher
Managing child actor work hours is about more than tracking time. Productions must also coordinate schooling, meal periods, rest requirements, and compliance documentation throughout the day.
A California Certified Studio Teacher is responsible for:
overseeing on-set education
tracking work hours and call times
monitoring safety and welfare
maintaining compliance throughout production
This helps productions avoid delays, violations, and scheduling issues.
Use the California Call Time Calculator
👉 Use the California Minor Call Time & Work Hours Calculator to estimate:
legal call times
maximum work hours
required schooling
meal and rest breaks
This can help productions schedule more efficiently and reduce compliance risk.
Experience Supporting Productions With Minors
Lynne Martin is a California Certified Studio Teacher with experience across productions including Nyad, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Lioness, Chicago Med, and Megalopolis.
She provides on-set education, safety oversight, and compliance support for productions throughout the United States and Canada.
Need Help Staying Compliant?
📩 Email: minorsonset@gmail.com
📱 Text: 317-514-8752
Available for film, television, streaming, and commercial productions nationwide.
The child actor work hours and regulations referenced on this page are provided as a general informational guide and may not reflect the most current updates to California Labor Code, DLSE regulations, union agreements, or production-specific requirements.
Productions should always cross-reference current California laws and consult directly with a qualified California Certified Studio Teacher to confirm compliance for their specific production.
If you have questions about scheduling, call times, work hours, or on-set compliance, please contact Lynne Martin directly for guidance