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

14; 11-13 may be youth athletic program referees/umpires for younger age bracket (adult present + parental consent); 11+ golf/bridge caddies; 13+ farm & trap setting (MCL 409.103) Explicit: 11-13 youth athletic referees/umpires exempt from minimum age; 16+ HS grads exempt from Act; parents' business exempt from permit. 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 Michigan if you let someone go?

Next regular payday Penalties under Payment of Wages Act (MCL 408.475). PTO per written policy.

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

Economic reality (Michigan courts, IWOWA)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Michigan rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Michigan: 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 Michigan

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

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $13.73; $15.00 on 1/1/2027
Required pay frequency: Semi-monthly (varies by occupation)
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Penalties under Payment of Wages Act (MCL 408.475). PTO per written policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 3+ (or 1 emp ≥35 hrs/wk 13+ wks)
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14; 11-13 may be youth athletic program referees/umpires for younger age bracket (adult present + parental consent); 11+ golf/bridge caddies; 13+ farm & trap setting (MCL 409.103)
Work permit: Yes, under 18 (school-issued work permit/CA-6 & CA-7) unless HS grad/GED; PA 196 of 2024 moves to state LEO registration system eff. 10/2/2026
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/school day, 18 hrs/school wk, 6 days, avg 8 hrs/day; 7am-7pm Labor Day-June 1
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day avg (10 max), 48 hrs/wk combined school+work, 6 days; 7am-9pm June 1-Labor Day; 30-min break after 5 hrs
Ages 16 to 17: 10 hrs/day, 24 hrs/school wk, 48 hrs/non-school wk, 6 days; 6am-10:30pm Sun-Thu, 6am-11:30pm Fri-Sat & vacations; 30-min break after 5 hrs
Weekend and evening games: 16-17 get 11:30pm Fri/Sat; weekend hours count toward 24-hr school-week cap; HB 5727 (2026, pending) would loosen
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Explicit: 11-13 youth athletic referees/umpires exempt from minimum age; 16+ HS grads exempt from Act; parents' business exempt from permit. 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: Economic reality (Michigan courts, IWOWA)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: IRS 20-factor test, MCL 421.42(5): on/after 1/1/2013 employee status is determined 'using the 20-factor test announced by the internal revenue service ... in revenue ruling 87-41'.
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: MCL 408.934a(4)(d) exempts from state OT (not MW) employees of an amusement or recreational establishment that does not operate >7 months in a calendar year; no receipts test and no camp/coach-specific exemption.
Paid sick leave: Yes: ESTA (as amended 2/21/2025): 1 hr/30 hrs up to 72 hrs (10+ EEs) or 40 hrs (<10); part-time covered; employers can front-load
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: Payroll Fraud Enforcement Unit; no per-worker statute
Safety
Background checks: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy (MCL 28.243/ICHAT public name check; NCPA channeling via MSP; youth camps under MCL 722.115 require checks).
Concussion law: MCL 333.9155-9156 (PA 342/343 of 2012; amended 2017), every 'organizing entity' (schools AND non-school youth sports organizations) running organized athletic activity for youth under 18; coaches, employees, volunteers and other adults must complete MDHHS-approved concussion awareness training at least once every 3 years; info sheet with signed acknowledgment; immediate removal; RTP written clearance by appropriate licensed health professional.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes (school), MCL 380.1319 & 29.19b (2024 SB 500?): cardiac emergency response plans; high school coaches CPR/AED. Youth leagues not covered.
CPR and AED: No statute: MHSAA Representative Council rule (eff. 2015-16): all HS and JH/MS head coaches must hold current CPR certification before first-sport rules meeting; renew every 2 years. Not codified in MCL (the 380.1319 cite is incorrect; legislation to expand it stalled). None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Not specifically: MCL 722.623(1)(a) (professionals list; 'athletic trainer' added 2018; last amended 2022 PA 66, eff. 11/1/2022). Coaches, recreation staff and volunteers not named; no enacted 2023-26 amendment adds them (HB 5220, 2025-26, concerns reporter continuing education only). Checked 9/9/2026.
Coach certification: None statewide for non-school coaches.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

Michigan at a glance: minimum wage $13.73; $15.00 on 1/1/2027. Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next regular payday. Minimum working age: 14; 11-13 may be youth athletic program referees/umpires for younger age bracket (adult present + parental consent); 11+ golf/bridge caddies; 13+ farm & trap setting (MCL 409.103). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy (MCL 28.243/ICHAT public name check; NCPA channeling via MSP; youth camps under MCL 722.115 require checks).