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

No general state minimum (14 in factories/mills/canneries only) - federal 14 applies State law does not reach recreation employers; FLSA applies. 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 Mississippi if you let someone go?

No statute: next regular payday No final-pay statute; PTO per policy.

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

Common law / right to control (no state MW law)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Mississippi rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Mississippi: 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.

Color the map by

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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 Mississippi

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

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $7.25 (federal; no state law)
Required pay frequency: Bi-weekly/semi-monthly (mfg 50+ emps only)
Final paycheck if you let them go: No statute: next regular payday
Final paycheck if they quit: No statute: next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: No final-pay statute; PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 5+
New-hire report due (days): 15
Minors
Minimum working age: No general state minimum (14 in factories/mills/canneries only) - federal 14 applies
Work permit: No (certificate only for under-16 in mills/canneries/factories)
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: State only regulates factories (8/44, 7pm-6am); FLSA 3/18, 7am-7pm governs
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; 7am-9pm June 1-Labor Day (FLSA)
Ages 16 to 17: None: federal has none
Weekend and evening games: Purely federal rules for sports/recreation employers
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: State law does not reach recreation employers; FLSA applies. 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 (no state MW law)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: Common law / right to control (Miss. Code 71-5-11)
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: No state MW/OT; FLSA applies
Paid sick leave: No
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: No dedicated statute
Safety
Background checks: Partial: Miss. Code §43-15-303: a 'child care service employer' may not employ or use as a volunteer anyone on the sex offender registry or convicted of a sex offense; §43-15-301 defines 'child care service' to include any business or volunteer service involving 'instruction or guidance of minor children where a fee is charged' for participation, so fee-based youth leagues are covered; free programs are not. No affirmative check or annual re-check mandated (obtaining a Justice Information Center report is a safe harbor). Check municipal/league policy.
Concussion law: Miss. Code §37-24-1 et seq. (Mississippi Youth Concussion Law, 2014), public/private schools (K-12) and school-sponsored; youth leagues encouraged only; RTP clearance by licensed health-care provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes (school), Miss. Code §37-11-85/-87 (2024?): cardiac emergency response plans; staff CPR/AED. Youth leagues not covered.
CPR and AED: None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: All persons: Miss. Code §43-21-353.
Coach certification: None.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

Mississippi at a glance: minimum wage $7.25 (federal; no state law). Final paycheck when you let someone go: No statute: next regular payday. Minimum working age: No general state minimum (14 in factories/mills/canneries only) - federal 14 applies. Background checks for youth sports: Partial: Miss. Code §43-15-303: a 'child care service employer' may not employ or use as a volunteer anyone on the sex offender registry or convicted of a sex offense; §43-15-301 defines 'child care service' to include any business or volunteer service involving 'instruction or guidance of minor children where a fee is charged' for participation, so fee-based youth leagues are covered; free programs are not. No affirmative check or annual re-check mandated (obtaining a Justice Information Center report is a safe harbor). Check municipal/league policy.