What is the minimum age to work as a youth sports referee in District of Columbia?

14 No referee/official carve-out in D.C. Code 32-201 (under-14 exceptions: housework/agricultural work for parent outside school hours; newspaper sales 10+; 32-206 theatrical/professional-sports performance permits for performers/athletes only). State law keys on 'employ/permit to work' - no 1099 carve-out.

When is a final paycheck due in District of Columbia if you let someone go?

Next business day (4 days if employee handled money) Liquidated damages up to 10%/day (DC Code 32-1303); treble damages possible. Accrued leave per policy.

How does District of Columbia decide whether a coach or referee is a 1099 contractor or an employee?

Economic reality (follows FLSA); D.C. Workplace Fraud Act (construction) presumes employment

For youth sports organizations and event operators · District of Columbia rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in District of Columbia: 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 District of Columbia

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

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $18.40 (indexed 7/1/2027)
Required pay frequency: Semi-monthly
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next business day (4 days if employee handled money)
Final paycheck if they quit: Next payday or 7 days, whichever earlier
Final-pay penalties: Liquidated damages up to 10%/day (DC Code 32-1303); treble damages possible. Accrued leave per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 1+
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14
Work permit: Yes, under 18 (work permit issued through school/OSSE)
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/wk, 6 days (DC); FLSA 3/18 governs; 7am-7pm
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/wk, 6 days (DC); FLSA 40 hrs; 7am-9pm June 1-Labor Day
Ages 16 to 17: 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/wk, 6 days; no work 10pm-6am
Weekend and evening games: 10pm curfew applies every night for 16-17 incl. Fri/Sat; 6-day cap
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: No referee/official carve-out in D.C. Code 32-201 (under-14 exceptions: housework/agricultural work for parent outside school hours; newspaper sales 10+; 32-206 theatrical/professional-sports performance permits for performers/athletes only). State law keys on 'employ/permit to work' - no 1099 carve-out.
Contractors and leave
How this state decides 1099 vs. payroll: Economic reality (follows FLSA); D.C. Workplace Fraud Act (construction) presumes employment
Same question, for unemployment insurance: Common law / right to control, D.C. Code 51-101(2)(A)(i)(II): employee status under 'usual common-law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship'. No ABC test.
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: D.C. Code 32-1004 has no seasonal amusement/recreation or camp exemption (only EAP/outside sales, newspaper delivery, and OT-only seamen/railroad/vehicle sales/air-carrier carveouts); does not adopt FLSA 13(a)(3).
Paid sick leave: Yes: Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act: 1 hr/37, 43 or 87 hrs by employer size, up to 7/5/3 days; part-time covered
Paid family and medical leave: Yes: DC Paid Family Leave: employer-paid 0.75% payroll tax (rate adjusts annually)
What it costs to get it wrong: Workplace Fraud Act (construction) $1k–$5k per violation; wage theft treble damages
Safety
Background checks: Partial: D.C. Code §4-1501.01 et seq. (Child and Youth, Safety and Health Omnibus Amendment Act): criminal background checks (incl. FBI) required for employees/volunteers of 'covered child or youth services providers', District agencies/contractors/grantees serving children (incl. DPR sports); private leagues not mandated, check league policy.
Concussion law: D.C. Code §7-2871.01-.05 (Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011), school AND non-school athletic programs/youth leagues; coaches training (DC Health); RTP written clearance by licensed/certified provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes (school), D.C. Law 25-254, Cardiac Planning and Response Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Code §7-2371.02c): every DCPS, charter, independent, private and parochial school must adopt a cardiac emergency response plan by SY 2025-26; coaches, assistants, athletic trainers, athletic directors and team physicians complete CPR/AED training within 60 days of hire. DPR-staffed recreation facilities must maintain AEDs and trained staff (§7-2371.01-.02). Non-school youth leagues are not directly regulated.
CPR and AED: Schools & DPR facilities: AEDs (D.C. Code §44-231 et seq.); D.C. Law 25-254 coach CPR/AED. Private leagues: none.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Yes: D.C. Code §4-1321.02 expressly lists 'an athletic coach' and 'an employee of the Department of Parks and Recreation' (added by D.C. Law 16-306, 2007); 'athletic coach' is undefined and not limited to paid or school coaches. General youth-organization volunteers otherwise not named.
Coach certification: Concussion training required for coaches under D.C. Code §7-2871.03.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

District of Columbia at a glance: minimum wage $18.40 (indexed 7/1/2027). Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next business day (4 days if employee handled money). Minimum working age: 14. Background checks for youth sports: Partial: D.C. Code §4-1501.01 et seq. (Child and Youth, Safety and Health Omnibus Amendment Act): criminal background checks (incl. FBI) required for employees/volunteers of 'covered child or youth services providers', District agencies/contractors/grantees serving children (incl. DPR sports); private leagues not mandated, check league policy.