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LANSING - The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is encouraging employers to register for the new Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP), an online system launching today to modernize Michigan's youth employment permit process and transition responsibility for issuing permits from schools to the state.
“Michigan is committed to modernizing government services while maintaining strong protections for young workers,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “The new Youth Employment Permit Portal allows us to provide greater consistency in how youth employment requirements are administered and monitored across the state, setting them up for success not just in their first job, but throughout their careers.”
Beginning Oct. 2, employers and minors will use YEPP to complete the youth employment permit process through one centralized statewide system. The new portal is designed to create greater consistency in how youth employment requirements are administered, reduce administrative responsibilities for schools and give LEO a more direct role in overseeing youth employment requirements.
The policy change is part of a broader effort to modernize Michigan's approach to youth employment and ensure young workers are employed safely and lawfully. The Youth Employment Standards Act was signed into law in 2024 as Public Act 196. Moving the permitting process to the state gives LEO greater visibility into youth employment, creates a consistent statewide process for employers and young workers, and allows schools to focus on their educational mission.
"Moving the youth permitting process to the state streamlines the process for teenagers, employers and parents while allowing schools to focus on their core educational mission," said State Representative Phil Skaggs, who sponsored the legislation.
Obtaining a work permit can be particularly challenging during the summer months, when schools may have limited hours or reduced availability, but with YEPP, applications can be submitted online at any time of day.
The system also enables proactive communication on youth worker rights and responsibilities directly to minors and employers.
“Moving the permit process to a centralized state system gives us an opportunity to build a more efficient process while strengthening oversight of youth employment,” said Randall Harrison, Acting Deputy Director of Labor. “Most importantly, this change allows us to better connect the permitting process with the state’s broader responsibility to ensure young people are working in safe and lawful environments through outreach and education.”
Beginning today, employers must register with LEO through YEPP before hiring minors; minors will complete the youth employment permit process online; employers must notify LEO when a minor’s employment ends; and local school districts and nonpublic schools will no longer issue youth employment permits.
Employers can get started with the Youth Employment Permit Portal at michigan.gov/YEPP. Michigan’s youth employment laws, including requirements related to work hours, wages and workplace safety, remain in effect. The new system changes how youth employment permits are administered, while maintaining protections for young workers.
Michigan.gov/YouthEmployment has more information about the transition.