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

14 (under 14: parents, newspaper, lawn care/snow removal, performers) Unpaid nonprofit volunteers, parent-employed, lawn care, HS grads exempt; 16-17 seasonal amusement/recreation partial exemption; 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 Ohio if you let someone go?

Next regular payday or within 15 days, whichever first Liquidated damages under ORC 4113.15. PTO per policy.

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

Common law / right to control (ORC 4111 follows FLSA; economic reality)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Ohio rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Ohio: 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 Ohio

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

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $11.00 (indexed 1/1/2027; $7.25 small employers)
Required pay frequency: Semi-monthly
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next regular payday or within 15 days, whichever first
Final paycheck if they quit: Same as fired
Final-pay penalties: Liquidated damages under ORC 4113.15. PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 1+ (monopolistic BWC fund)
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14 (under 14: parents, newspaper, lawn care/snow removal, performers)
Work permit: Yes: under 16 any time, 16-17 during school term (Age & Schooling Certificate issued by school superintendent; HS grads exempt)
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/school day, 18 hrs/wk; 7am-7pm (SB 50 to allow 9pm year-round w/ parental consent VETOED 12/3/2025)
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; 7am-9pm June 1-Sept 1 and school holidays of 5+ days
Ages 16 to 17: No daily/weekly cap; if required to attend school: no work 11pm before school day to 7am on school day (6am if not employed after 8pm prior night)
Weekend and evening games: 16-17 at seasonal amusement/recreational establishments exempt from certain hour rules (ORC 4109.06(D)); no curfew before non-school days
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Unpaid nonprofit volunteers, parent-employed, lawn care, HS grads exempt; 16-17 seasonal amusement/recreation partial exemption; 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 (ORC 4111 follows FLSA; economic reality)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: IRS 20-factor / common law (ORC 4141.01(B)(2)(k))
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: ORC 4111.03(A) applies state OT 'subject to the exemptions of section 7 and section 13' of the FLSA (so 13(a)(3) seasonal amusement/recreation applies); 4111.03(D)(3)(g) also excludes employees of nonprofit camps/recreational areas for under-18s; 4111.14(B) excludes from state MW those exempt under 29 U.S.C. 213.
Paid sick leave: No
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: No dedicated statute; BWC/ODJFS audits
Safety
Background checks: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy (ORC 109.572/109.578 permit BCI/FBI checks for youth-serving orgs).
Concussion law: ORC §3313.539 (schools) & §3707.51-.52 (youth sports organizations, 2013), youth leagues covered; coaches/referees must complete ODH-approved training every 3 years; RTP written clearance by physician or licensed provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes: Lindsay's Law, ORC §3313.5310 (schools) & §3707.58-.59 (youth sports organizations, 2017): annual coach SCA training; info to parents; removal & clearance.
CPR and AED: Schools: AED (ORC 3313.6023). None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Not specifically: ORC §2151.421(A)(1)(b) (current through HB 96, eff. 9/30/2025): professionals, school employees, child-care center staff, 'administrator or employee of a residential camp, child day camp' etc. Coaches, youth-sports staff and volunteers not named; no 2023-26 amendment adds them. Checked 9/9/2026.
Coach certification: Only ODH concussion + Lindsay's Law training for youth coaches/officials; school coaches ODE pupil-activity permit.
Assault-on-official law: No (HB 79 pending).

All states

Rulebook by state

Ohio at a glance: minimum wage $11.00 (indexed 1/1/2027; $7.25 small employers). Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next regular payday or within 15 days, whichever first. Minimum working age: 14 (under 14: parents, newspaper, lawn care/snow removal, performers). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide for private leagues, check municipal/league policy (ORC 109.572/109.578 permit BCI/FBI checks for youth-serving orgs).