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

14 (under 14: parents, farm, newspaper, domestic) No referee carve-out (21 V.S.A. 430 et seq.). 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 Vermont if you let someone go?

Within 72 hours Double damages + fees (21 VSA 347). PTO per policy.

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

ABC test for wage claims: 21 V.S.A. 341(1) (wage payment subchapter) defines 'employee' as one the employer cannot show meets all three ABC prongs (amended 2023, No. 85, eff. 7/1/2024). ABC also applies for UI (21 V.S.A. 1301(6)(B)).

Does a youth sports league in Vermont need workers' compensation for 1099 referees and coaches?

Vermont's act covers "workers" under 21 V.S.A. 601(14) and does not cover true independent contractors, but the Department of Labor applies two tests: the right-to-control test and the "nature of the business" test (whether the work is of a kind normally done by employees and is an integral part of the hiring entity's regular business). Because of the second test, Vermont is one of the harder states in which to keep a 1099 arrangement. 601(14)(F) is the practical opt-out: a sole proprietor or partner is excluded only if the work is distinct from the hiring entity's, the individual controls means and manner, holds out to the public, does not work exclusively for one person, is not treated as an employee for tax purposes, and works under a written contract stating that he or she is not an employee under the chapter. 601(3) then relieves the hiring entity of employer status when it contracts with someone who has knowingly waived under (14)(F); otherwise 601(3) makes the proprietor of the business the statutory employer of workers brought in through a contractor. Vermont has no state-issued waiver certificate. 601(14)(B) excludes amateur sports participants, not officials; no referee or umpire exclusion exists in WC or UI (the UI ABC test under 1301(6)(B) applies). Bottom line: a youth league paying 1099 referees and coaches is at high risk; officiating or coaching is the league's core business, so absent a (14)(F) written contract and genuinely independent officials, those workers are covered employees.

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Vermont rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Vermont: 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, workers' comp, safe sport and youth safety, 50 states + DC, checked against statute text.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 202651 jurisdictions · 32 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 Vermont

All 32 rules for this state, with the statutes and agency pages they came from.

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $14.42 (indexed 1/1/2027)
Required pay frequency: Weekly (bi-weekly/semi-monthly w/ notice)
Final paycheck if you let them go: Within 72 hours
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday (or next Friday if none)
Final-pay penalties: Double damages + fees (21 VSA 347). PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 1+
New-hire report due (days): 10
Minors
Minimum working age: 14 (under 14: parents, farm, newspaper, domestic)
Work permit: Yes, under 16 only when working during school hours (VT DOL); otherwise proof of age
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/wk, 6 days; 7am-7pm
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk, 6 days; 7am-9pm June 1-Labor Day
Ages 16 to 17: None: federal has none
Weekend and evening games: Mirrors FLSA
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: No referee carve-out (21 V.S.A. 430 et seq.). 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: ABC test for wage claims: 21 V.S.A. 341(1) (wage payment subchapter) defines 'employee' as one the employer cannot show meets all three ABC prongs (amended 2023, No. 85, eff. 7/1/2024). ABC also applies for UI (21 V.S.A. 1301(6)(B)).
Same question, for unemployment insurance: ABC test (21 V.S.A. 1301(6)(B))
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Workers' comp for 1099 referees and coaches: Vermont's act covers "workers" under 21 V.S.A. 601(14) and does not cover true independent contractors, but the Department of Labor applies two tests: the right-to-control test and the "nature of the business" test (whether the work is of a kind normally done by employees and is an integral part of the hiring entity's regular business). Because of the second test, Vermont is one of the harder states in which to keep a 1099 arrangement. 601(14)(F) is the practical opt-out: a sole proprietor or partner is excluded only if the work is distinct from the hiring entity's, the individual controls means and manner, holds out to the public, does not work exclusively for one person, is not treated as an employee for tax purposes, and works under a written contract stating that he or she is not an employee under the chapter. 601(3) then relieves the hiring entity of employer status when it contracts with someone who has knowingly waived under (14)(F); otherwise 601(3) makes the proprietor of the business the statutory employer of workers brought in through a contractor. Vermont has no state-issued waiver certificate. 601(14)(B) excludes amateur sports participants, not officials; no referee or umpire exclusion exists in WC or UI (the UI ABC test under 1301(6)(B) applies). Bottom line: a youth league paying 1099 referees and coaches is at high risk; officiating or coaching is the league's core business, so absent a (14)(F) written contract and genuinely independent officials, those workers are covered employees.
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: 21 V.S.A. 383(2)(D) excludes individuals employed in the activities of a publicly supported nonprofit (except laundry employees, nurses' aides, practical nurses) and (2)(I) students; no seasonal amusement/recreation or camp exemption.
Paid sick leave: Yes: Earned Sick Time (21 V.S.A. 481): 1 hr/52 hrs up to 40 hrs; employees <20 wks/yr or <18 hrs/wk excluded
Paid family and medical leave: Voluntary (Vermont FMLI Plan via The Hartford, opt-in)
What it costs to get it wrong: 21 V.S.A. 692? misclassification penalties up to $5,000/violation; stop-work orders
Safety
Background checks: None statewide: check municipal/league policy (VCIC checks available to youth-serving orgs, 20 V.S.A. §2056c).
Safe sport: state law: No state safe-sport statute for private youth leagues; federal SafeSport Act baseline and NGB rules apply. Vermont imposes no abuse-prevention training, written child-protection policies, or parent information-sheet duties on youth sports organizations, and no statute adopts the SafeSport Code or the federal Act. Licensed camps are covered separately (camp staff are named mandated reporters, see mandated_reporter cell), and coaches and volunteers outside camps are not mandated reporters under 33 V.S.A. 4913, though anyone may report. The coach-relevant criminal provision is sexual exploitation of a minor (13 V.S.A. 3258), which reaches an adult who is in a position of power, authority or supervision over a minor by virtue of undertaking, professionally or voluntarily, to provide guidance, leadership, instruction or organized recreational activities for minors; that language squarely covers coaches of 16- and 17-year-olds. Hazing (16 V.S.A. 11(a)(30) and 570 et seq.) is limited to educational institutions. Vermont Principals' Association coach education covers school coaches only. No 2025 or 2026 bill creating youth-sports abuse-prevention duties was located.
Safe sport: federal SafeSport Act and NGB rules: Nationally, the Safe Sport Act (36 U.S.C. 220541-220543, P.L. 115-126 of 2018 as amended by P.L. 116-189 of 2020) binds the USOPC, every national governing body and their member clubs and other amateur sports organizations in interstate or international competition to SafeSport Core training, MAAPP-style minor athlete protection policies, and reporting of suspected child abuse to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport within 24 hours, regardless of state law. In Vermont the federal Act supplies the only legal reporting duty for most club coaches, since 33 V.S.A. 4913 names camp staff but not coaches; NGB clubs that run camps have both duties (state: report to DCF within 24 hours). No state high school association SafeSport adoption; VPA uses NFHS coursework. Vermont Soccer, USA Hockey and USA Swimming affiliates enforce SafeSport Core and MAAPP by rule.
Concussion law: 16 V.S.A. §1431 (2011, amended 2013), school only (youth leagues encouraged); coaches/referees training; RTP written clearance by licensed health-care provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes (school), 16 V.S.A. §1480(d) (2025, eff. 7/1/2026): AED maintenance, staff CPR/AED, athletic EAPs. Youth leagues not covered.
CPR and AED: None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Not specifically: 33 V.S.A. §4913(a) names health-care providers, school employees, child-care workers, social workers, police, clergy, and 'camp owner,' 'camp administrator,' 'camp counselor.' Coaches, recreation staff and volunteers outside camps are not named.
Coach certification: None.
Assault-on-official law: No.

All states

Rulebook by state

Vermont at a glance: minimum wage $14.42 (indexed 1/1/2027). Final paycheck when you let someone go: Within 72 hours. Minimum working age: 14 (under 14: parents, farm, newspaper, domestic). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide: check municipal/league policy (VCIC checks available to youth-serving orgs, 20 V.S.A. §2056c).