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

14; 12+ may be employed as a referee for sports programs by a nonprofit (eleemosynary) organization or state/local government (Va. Code 40.1-79.01); 12-13 farm; under 16 parent-employed exempt Explicit: 12+ referees for nonprofit/government sports programs exempt from chapter (private for-profit operators NOT covered); occasional work, parent-employed exempt. 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 Virginia if you let someone go?

Next regular payday Treble damages for knowing violations (VA Code 40.1-29). PTO per policy.

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

IRS 20-factor common law with presumption of employment (Va. Code 40.1-28.7:7, 2020)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Virginia rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Virginia: 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 Virginia

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

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $12.77 (indexed 1/1/2027)
Required pay frequency: Bi-weekly or semi-monthly (hourly)
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Treble damages for knowing violations (VA Code 40.1-29). PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 3+ (more than 2)
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14; 12+ may be employed as a referee for sports programs by a nonprofit (eleemosynary) organization or state/local government (Va. Code 40.1-79.01); 12-13 farm; under 16 parent-employed exempt
Work permit: Yes, 14-15 (Employment Certificate via VA DOLI Electronic Employment Certificate System, parent + employer); 16-17 age certificate on request
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/school day, 18 hrs/wk; 7am-7pm; 30-min break after 5 hrs
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; SB 10 (2026) only touched hazardous apprenticeships
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Explicit: 12+ referees for nonprofit/government sports programs exempt from chapter (private for-profit operators NOT covered); occasional work, parent-employed exempt. 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: IRS 20-factor common law with presumption of employment (Va. Code 40.1-28.7:7, 2020)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: IRS 20-factor / common law (Va. Code 60.2-212(C))
Referee-specific rule: Va. Code 65.2-101 'Employee' subdiv. 2(m): sports official for interscholastic/intercollegiate sponsor or public/nonprofit amateur event sponsor is excluded from WC 'employee' (unless otherwise employed by sponsor)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: Va. Code 40.1-28.9(A)(7) excludes any person employed by a summer camp for boys and/or girls; (A)(16) excludes any person exempt from federal MW under 29 U.S.C. 213(a)(3) (seasonal amusement/recreation) - version in effect through June 30, 2027.
Paid sick leave: No
Paid family and medical leave: Voluntary (Va. Code 38.2-3500? PFL insurance product)
What it costs to get it wrong: Va. Code 40.1-28.7:7: $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 per misclassified worker (first/second/third)
Safety
Background checks: Partial: Va. Code §19.2-389 / §19.2-392.02 (National Criminal Background Check for youth-serving 'qualified entities', permissive); localities' parks & rec require checks; Va. Code §15.2-?, no statewide mandate for private leagues. Check municipal/league policy. NCPA channeling via VSP.
Concussion law: Va. Code §22.1-271.5 (2010) schools; §22.1-271.6 (2014) non-interscholastic youth sports programs using public school property must comply with district concussion policy; coaches training; RTP written clearance by licensed health-care provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes (school), Va. Code §22.1-271.8/.9 (2020/2024): cardiac emergency response plans; removal. Youth leagues not covered.
CPR and AED: Schools: AED (Va. Code §22.1-274.5); VHSL coaches CPR/AED/first aid. None for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Coaches named: Va. Code §63.2-1509(A): any person 18+ associated with or employed by any private organization responsible for the care/custody/control of children, and 'athletic coach, director or other person 18+ employed by or volunteering with a private sports organization or team' (2012). No SafeSport-style training mandate for private coaches.
Coach certification: None for private youth coaches.
Assault-on-official law: Yes: Va. Code §18.2-57 as amended by SB 986/HB ? (2025, eff. 7/1/2025): Class 1 misdemeanor assault/battery on sports official; ≥6-month event ban.

All states

Rulebook by state

Virginia at a glance: minimum wage $12.77 (indexed 1/1/2027). Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next regular payday. Minimum working age: 14; 12+ may be employed as a referee for sports programs by a nonprofit (eleemosynary) organization or state/local government (Va. Code 40.1-79.01); 12-13 farm; under 16 parent-employed exempt. Background checks for youth sports: Partial: Va. Code §19.2-389 / §19.2-392.02 (National Criminal Background Check for youth-serving 'qualified entities', permissive); localities' parks & rec require checks; Va. Code §15.2-?, no statewide mandate for private leagues. Check municipal/league policy. NCPA channeling via VSP.