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

14 (12-13 newspaper only; under 14 generally prohibited) Parent-employed, models/performers exempt; no referee carve-out (G.S. 95-25.5). 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 North Carolina if you let someone go?

Next regular payday Double damages + fees (NCGS 95-25.22). Vacation paid unless written forfeiture policy.

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

Common law / right to control (N.C.G.S. 95-25 follows FLSA)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · North Carolina rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in North Carolina: 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 North Carolina

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: No specification (regular payday)
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Double damages + fees (NCGS 95-25.22). Vacation paid unless written forfeiture policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 3+
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14 (12-13 newspaper only; under 14 generally prohibited)
Work permit: Yes, under 18 (Youth Employment Certificate, online via NC DOL; not needed for parent-employed)
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/school day, 18 hrs/wk; 7am-7pm
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; 7am-9pm summer vacation
Ages 16 to 17: No daily/weekly cap; enrolled (grade 12 or below): no work 11pm-5am before school day unless written parent + principal permission
Weekend and evening games: No curfew before non-school days; parent+principal letter unlocks school-night late work
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Parent-employed, models/performers exempt; no referee carve-out (G.S. 95-25.5). 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 (N.C.G.S. 95-25 follows FLSA)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: Common law / right to control (N.C.G.S. 96-1(b)(10))
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply) (N.C.G.S. 14-33(b)(9) assault law)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: N.C.G.S. 95-25.14(a)(1) exempts FLSA-covered employees (FLSA governs, incl. 13(a)(3)); (b)(1) exempts boys'/girls' summer camp and seasonal religious/nonprofit conference center employees from MW/OT; (c)(8) exempts seasonal amusement/recreational establishment employees from OT only; (e) exempts government seasonal recreation programs.
Paid sick leave: No
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: Employee Fair Classification Act (N.C.G.S. 143-762): reporting/coordination; Industrial Commission WC penalties
Safety
Background checks: None statewide: check municipal/league policy (N.C.G.S. §114-19.? permits; NCPA channeling via SBI).
Concussion law: N.C.G.S. §115C-12(23) (Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act, 2011), public schools only; annual coach/athlete/parent education; RTP written clearance by physician/other licensed provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: None youth-specific (school EAPs under Gfeller-Waller).
CPR and AED: None for youth leagues (NCHSAA coaches CPR).
Coaches as mandated reporters: All persons: N.C.G.S. §7B-301 (abuse/neglect) and §14-318.6 (violent offenses/sexual offenses against juveniles).
Coach certification: None.
Assault-on-official law: Yes: N.C.G.S. §14-33(b)(9) (assault on sports official).

All states

Rulebook by state

North Carolina at a glance: minimum wage $7.25. Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next regular payday. Minimum working age: 14 (12-13 newspaper only; under 14 generally prohibited). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide: check municipal/league policy (N.C.G.S. §114-19.? permits; NCPA channeling via SBI).