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

14 (state; under 14 only parents/farm/newspaper) Parent-employed & farm exempt; no referee carve-out (K.S.A. 38-603). 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 Kansas if you let someone go?

Next regular payday Penalty 1%/day up to 100% for willful non-payment (KSA 44-315). PTO per policy.

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

Common law / right to control (20-factor)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Kansas rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Kansas: 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 Kansas

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: Monthly
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Penalty 1%/day up to 100% for willful non-payment (KSA 44-315). PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: Payroll >$20,000/yr
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14 (state; under 14 only parents/farm/newspaper)
Work permit: Only for under-16 not enrolled in secondary school (school issues); otherwise no
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: State: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; no work 10pm-7am before school day - FLSA 3/18, 7pm governs
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; FLSA 9pm summer curfew
Ages 16 to 17: None: federal has none
Weekend and evening games: State law only bars 14-15 from 10pm-7am before school days; FLSA stricter
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Parent-employed & farm exempt; no referee carve-out (K.S.A. 38-603). 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 (20-factor)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: IRS 20-factor / common law (K.S.A. 44-703(i)(3)(D))
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: K.S.A. 44-1202 MW applies only to employers not covered by FLSA; FLSA exemptions govern
Paid sick leave: No
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: K.S.A. 44-766: misclassification for UI/WC evasion, civil penalties
Safety
Background checks: None statewide: check municipal/league policy (K.S.A. 22-4701 et seq.; NCPA channeling via KBI).
Concussion law: K.S.A. 72-6284? (School Sports Head Injury Prevention Act, K.S.A. 72-135, 2011), school only; RTP written clearance by licensed physician.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes (school), K.S.A. 72-6288 (2024): cardiac emergency response plans, AED/CPR training. Youth leagues not covered.
CPR and AED: None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Not specifically: K.S.A. 38-2223 (professionals list; teachers, school administrators, child-care providers).
Coach certification: None.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

Kansas at a glance: minimum wage $7.25. Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next regular payday. Minimum working age: 14 (state; under 14 only parents/farm/newspaper). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide: check municipal/league policy (K.S.A. 22-4701 et seq.; NCPA channeling via KBI).