What is the minimum age to work as a youth sports referee in Arizona?

14 (under 14: parents, farm, newspaper, casual/yard work) Parent-employed & casual work exempt (A.R.S. 23-235); no referee carve-out found. State law keys on 'employ/permit to work' - no 1099 carve-out; misclassifying minor officials as contractors does not avoid child-labor rules.

When is a final paycheck due in Arizona if you let someone go?

Within 7 working days or next payday, whichever first Treble damages available for unpaid wages (ARS 23-355). PTO per policy.

How does Arizona decide whether a coach or referee is a 1099 contractor or an employee?

Common law / right to control; ARS 23-1601 Declaration of Independent Business Status creates rebuttable presumption

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Arizona rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Arizona: who can you put in the game, and what do you owe them?

State rules for everyone a youth sports organization pays: coaches and trainers on payroll, officials and event staff on 1099, program and front-office staff, and the teenagers you hire for a season. Wages, final pay, minors, contractor status and youth safety, 50 states + DC, checked against statute text.

Last reviewed Sep 9, 202651 jurisdictions · 29 rules each

Step 1

Pick the state where the work happens

Rules follow where people work, not where you are based. Running an event? Use the event state. Operating a club or league? Use the state where your staff coach, officiate and work.

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Set a role, age and pay type below to see which rules apply to your organization.

Step 2

Check a staffing plan

Tell us who you are paying, how old they are, and whether they are on payroll or 1099. We rank what applies.

State where the work happens

Role

Worker age

Paid as

Not sure if someone should be 1099 or on payroll?Answer 5 plain-English questions. We explain the sticking points in your state.5-question check

Tourney Direct does not decide classification. Confirm with a tax advisor or attorney before you onboard anyone as a contractor.

Step 3

Everything on file for Arizona

All 29 rules for this state, with the statutes and agency pages they came from.

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $15.15 (indexed 1/1/2027)
Required pay frequency: Semi-monthly (≤16 days apart)
Final paycheck if you let them go: Within 7 working days or next payday, whichever first
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Treble damages available for unpaid wages (ARS 23-355). PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 1+
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14 (under 14: parents, farm, newspaper, casual/yard work)
Work permit: No
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/wk; no work 9:30pm-6am before school day (FLSA 7am-7pm stricter)
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; no work 11pm-6am before non-school day (FLSA 9pm summer stricter)
Ages 16 to 17: None: federal has none
Weekend and evening games: State allows 14-15 until 11pm before non-school days but FLSA 7pm/9pm controls for covered employers
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Parent-employed & casual work exempt (A.R.S. 23-235); no referee carve-out found. State law keys on 'employ/permit to work' - no 1099 carve-out; misclassifying minor officials as contractors does not avoid child-labor rules.
Contractors and leave
How this state decides 1099 vs. payroll: Common law / right to control; ARS 23-1601 Declaration of Independent Business Status creates rebuttable presumption
Same question, for unemployment insurance: Common law / right to control (ARS 23-613.01)
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: ARS 23-362 excludes from state MW some employees of small businesses (<$500k gross) not covered by FLSA; no explicit seasonal recreation carveout
Paid sick leave: Yes: Fair Wages & Healthy Families Act: 1 hr/30 hrs; cap 24 hrs (<15 EEs) or 40 hrs (15+); part-time/temporary covered
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: No dedicated statute; ICA/DES audits; MW violations 2x wages + civil penalties
Safety
Background checks: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy. A.R.S. §41-1750(G) allows DPS fingerprint checks for volunteers; Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card required for school/child-care/DES-contracted programs (A.R.S. §41-1758.07).
Concussion law: A.R.S. §15-341(A)(24) (SB 1521, 2011), schools + any youth athletic activity on school property; coach education; removal; return only with trained health-care-provider clearance.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Partial: A.R.S. §15-341(A)(24)(c): school guidelines/forms educating coaches, pupils, parents on sudden cardiac death (school-only).
CPR and AED: None for youth leagues (AIA requires CPR for school coaches).
Coaches as mandated reporters: Broad: A.R.S. §13-3620: any person 'responsible for the care or treatment of the minor' (coaches effectively covered). No SafeSport-style state mandate.
Coach certification: None statewide.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

Arizona at a glance: minimum wage $15.15 (indexed 1/1/2027). Final paycheck when you let someone go: Within 7 working days or next payday, whichever first. Minimum working age: 14 (under 14: parents, farm, newspaper, casual/yard work). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy. A.R.S. §41-1750(G) allows DPS fingerprint checks for volunteers; Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card required for school/child-care/DES-contracted programs (A.R.S. §41-1758.07).