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

14 (under 14: parents, newspaper carriers, performers, work-based learning) IC 22-2-18.1-2 exempts parent-employed, newspaper carriers, performers, work-based learning; no referee carve-out. 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 Indiana if you let someone go?

Next regular payday Liquidated damages up to 2x for bad-faith violations (IC 22-2-5-2). PTO per policy.

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

Common law / right to control (IC 22-2-2-3 follows FLSA)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Indiana rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Indiana: 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 Indiana

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

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $7.25
Required pay frequency: Bi-weekly or semi-monthly
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Liquidated damages up to 2x for bad-faith violations (IC 22-2-5-2). 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, newspaper carriers, performers, work-based learning)
Work permit: No: work permits ended 7/1/2021; YES registration (employers of 5+ minors) repealed by HB 1302 eff. 7/1/2026; employer should keep proof of age
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/school day, 18 hrs/school wk; 7am-7pm
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; 7am-9pm any day June 1-Labor Day (since 1/1/2025)
Ages 16 to 17: None since 1/1/2025 - same hours/days as adults, no parental permission needed
Weekend and evening games: 16-17 fully unrestricted on weekends/evenings; 14-15 get 8 hrs Sat/Sun but 7pm curfew in school year
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: IC 22-2-18.1-2 exempts parent-employed, newspaper carriers, performers, work-based learning; no referee carve-out. 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 (IC 22-2-2-3 follows FLSA)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: ABC test (IC 22-4-8-1(b))
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: IC 22-2-2-3 excludes from 'employer' any employer subject to FLSA MW (so FLSA 13(a)(3) governs those), and excludes from 'employee' (l) persons performing services for camping, recreational, or guidance facilities operated by a charitable, religious, or educational nonprofit. No state for-profit seasonal amusement exemption.
Paid sick leave: No
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: No dedicated statute; UI audit penalties
Safety
Background checks: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy (IC 10-13-3-27 permits limited criminal history for orgs serving children; NCPA channeling via ISP).
Concussion law: IC 20-34-7 (2011; HEA 1290 2014), core duties (info sheets, removal, RTP written clearance by licensed health-care provider trained in concussion, 24-hr minimum, IC 20-34-7-4/-5) apply to school 'student athletes' (grades 5-12, interscholastic/intramural, IC 20-34-7-1.7). Non-school reach is limited: an 'organizing entity' (any recreational/extracurricular sports program for under-20s using state/political-subdivision property, IC 20-34-7-1.5) must have tackle-football head/assistant coaches complete a DOE-approved player-safety course (concussion, heat, equipment) before coaching (IC 20-34-7-6; every 2 yrs per state board rule). Non-football youth-league coaches: no statutory training mandate.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes (school), IC 20-34-8 (2017): coach SCA training incl. AED; parent RTP permission. Youth leagues not covered.
CPR and AED: IC 20-34-7-6: football coaches (school) safety course; school AED (IC 20-34-3-?). None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: All persons: IC 31-33-5-1.
Coach certification: None for non-school coaches.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

Indiana at a glance: minimum wage $7.25. Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next regular payday. Minimum working age: 14 (under 14: parents, newspaper carriers, performers, work-based learning). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy (IC 10-13-3-27 permits limited criminal history for orgs serving children; NCPA channeling via ISP).