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

No state minimum: federal 14 applies (state adopts FLSA child labor standards) No state carve-outs; 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 South Carolina if you let someone go?

Within 48 hours or next regular payday (≤30 days) Treble damages + fees (SC Code 41-10-80). PTO per written policy.

How does South Carolina 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 · South Carolina rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in South 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 South Carolina

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: No specification (written notice at hire)
Final paycheck if you let them go: Within 48 hours or next regular payday (≤30 days)
Final paycheck if they quit: Same as fired
Final-pay penalties: Treble damages + fees (SC Code 41-10-80). PTO per written policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 4+
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: No state minimum: federal 14 applies (state adopts FLSA child labor standards)
Work permit: No; age certificate on request (school)
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/wk; 7am-7pm (FLSA 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
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: No state carve-outs; 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 (S.C. Code 41-27-230)
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: None statewide: S. 809 (Corbin), 'Mandatory Background Checks in Youth Sports' (would add Title 63 ch. 2 requiring SLED + FBI fingerprint, abuse registry and sex-offender checks for all youth-sports coaches), introduced 1/14/2026 and referred to Senate Family & Veterans' Services; no further action before the 2025-26 session ended, not enacted. Checked 9/9/2026. Check municipal/league policy. NCPA channeling via SLED.
Concussion law: S.C. Code §59-63-75 (2013), school only; RTP clearance by physician/PA/NP.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: None (SCHSL policies).
CPR and AED: None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Not specifically: S.C. Code §63-7-310 (professionals list; school personnel, child-care workers).
Coach certification: None.
Assault-on-official law: No (S.C. Code §22-3-560 repealed 2010).

All states

Rulebook by state

South Carolina at a glance: minimum wage $7.25 (federal; no state law). Final paycheck when you let someone go: Within 48 hours or next regular payday (≤30 days). Minimum working age: No state minimum: federal 14 applies (state adopts FLSA child labor standards). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide: S. 809 (Corbin), 'Mandatory Background Checks in Youth Sports' (would add Title 63 ch. 2 requiring SLED + FBI fingerprint, abuse registry and sex-offender checks for all youth-sports coaches), introduced 1/14/2026 and referred to Senate Family & Veterans' Services; no further action before the 2025-26 session ended, not enacted. Checked 9/9/2026. Check municipal/league policy. NCPA channeling via SLED.