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

No general state minimum (10+ for some jobs) - federal 14 applies; under 16 not during school hours Parent-employed, casual, farm, newspaper exempt (Utah Code 34-23-201); 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 Utah if you let someone go?

Within 24 hours Penalty: wages continue up to 60 days (UCA 34-28-5). PTO per policy.

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

Common law / right to control (Utah Code 34-28; Utah Antidiscrimination & Labor Div.)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Utah rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Utah: 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 Utah

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: Semi-monthly
Final paycheck if you let them go: Within 24 hours
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Penalty: wages continue up to 60 days (UCA 34-28-5). PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 1+
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: No general state minimum (10+ for some jobs) - federal 14 applies; under 16 not during school hours
Work permit: No; age certificate on request (school)
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: State: 4 hrs/school day, 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; no work 9:30pm-5am before school day - FLSA 3/18, 7pm governs
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk; FLSA 9pm summer
Ages 16 to 17: None: federal has none
Weekend and evening games: State law looser than FLSA; FLSA controls
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Parent-employed, casual, farm, newspaper exempt (Utah Code 34-23-201); 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 (Utah Code 34-28; Utah Antidiscrimination & Labor Div.)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: 2-part test (Utah Code 35A-4-204(3): free from control + independently established)
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: Utah Code 34-40-104(1)(f) exempts seasonal employees of nonprofit camping, religious or recreation programs; (1)(k) exempts seasonal hourly employees of seasonal amusement establishments (<=7 months) whose total comp averages MW; (1)(a) exempts FLSA-covered employees. Utah has no state OT law.
Paid sick leave: No
Paid family and medical leave: No
What it costs to get it wrong: Utah Code 34-52 (construction) IC penalties; SB 1 2020 tightened
Safety
Background checks: Yes (registry check), Utah Code §80-8-201 (Child Protection Registry / Youth Worker checks, HB 2021?): youth service organizations (serving ≥25 children) must check youth workers 18+ with regular/repeated contact against Utah Sex & Kidnap Offender Registry and NSOPW; no fingerprint mandate; renewal not specified. Check municipal/league policy for more.
Concussion law: Utah Code §26B-4-? (formerly §26-53-101 et seq., Protection of Athletes with Head Injuries Act, 2011), amateur sports organizations (schools AND youth leagues); head-injury policy; RTP written clearance by qualified health-care provider; coach training via policy.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: None statewide.
CPR and AED: None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: All persons: Utah Code §80-2-602.
Coach certification: None.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

Utah at a glance: minimum wage $7.25. Final paycheck when you let someone go: Within 24 hours. Minimum working age: No general state minimum (10+ for some jobs) - federal 14 applies; under 16 not during school hours. Background checks for youth sports: Yes (registry check), Utah Code §80-8-201 (Child Protection Registry / Youth Worker checks, HB 2021?): youth service organizations (serving ≥25 children) must check youth workers 18+ with regular/repeated contact against Utah Sex & Kidnap Offender Registry and NSOPW; no fingerprint mandate; renewal not specified. Check municipal/league policy for more.