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

14 (12-13 agriculture; under 14 needs superior-court permit EXCEPT youth soccer referees certified by a national referee certification program - RCW 26.28.060) Explicit: certified youth soccer referees under 14 exempt from minimum-age prohibition; amateur sports officials excluded from unemployment insurance (RCW 50.04.246); 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 Washington if you let someone go?

Next regular payday Double damages for willful violations (RCW 49.52.070). PTO per policy.

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

Economic reality (RCW 49.46; 'economic dependence' test per WA Sup. Ct. Anfinson)

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Washington rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Washington: 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 Washington

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

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $17.13 (indexed 1/1/2027; Seattle etc. higher)
Required pay frequency: Monthly
Final paycheck if you let them go: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday
Final-pay penalties: Double damages for willful violations (RCW 49.52.070). PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: No
Workers' comp required at: 1+ (monopolistic L&I fund)
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14 (12-13 agriculture; under 14 needs superior-court permit EXCEPT youth soccer referees certified by a national referee certification program - RCW 26.28.060)
Work permit: Yes: employer must hold Minor Work Permit endorsement on business license (L&I) AND Parent/School Authorization form for each minor under 18
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/school day (8 Sat-Sun), 16 hrs/wk, 6 days; 7am-7pm; adult supervision after 8pm in service jobs
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: School wk: 4 hrs/day (8 Fri-Sun), 20 hrs/wk (28 with variance); non-school: 8/48/6; no work 10pm-7am Sun-Thu (midnight-5am Fri-Sat & vacations); HB 1121 (2026) raises work-based learning to 8/48
Weekend and evening games: 14-15 get 8 hrs Sat/Sun but only 16 hrs/school wk; 16-17 8 hrs Fri-Sun, midnight Fri/Sat; supervision after 8pm
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Explicit: certified youth soccer referees under 14 exempt from minimum-age prohibition; amateur sports officials excluded from unemployment insurance (RCW 50.04.246); 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: Economic reality (RCW 49.46; 'economic dependence' test per WA Sup. Ct. Anfinson)
Same question, for unemployment insurance: 6-part / ABC+ test (RCW 50.04.140)
Referee-specific rule: RCW 50.04.246: 'employment' for UI excludes services by amateur sports officials on a contest-by-contest basis for interscholastic and youth or adult recreational contests. No parallel workers' comp exclusion in RCW 51.12.020.
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: RCW 49.46.010(4)(i) excludes employees of charitable institutions with child-care responsibilities engaged primarily in character/citizenship development, health/fitness, or providing recreational opportunities for young people; no seasonal amusement/recreation or camp exemption otherwise.
Paid sick leave: Yes: Paid Sick Leave (RCW 49.46.210): 1 hr/40 hrs, no cap; all employees incl. part-time/seasonal
Paid family and medical leave: Yes: WA PFML 2026: 1.13% of wages, employee 71.43% / employer 28.57%; employers <50 EEs exempt from employer share but must withhold/remit employee share. 2SHB 2345 (eff. 6/11/2026) reallocates family vs. medical components only; total rate and split unchanged.
What it costs to get it wrong: RCW 49.48.082 wage theft; L&I misclassification penalties; ESD back taxes
Safety
Background checks: None statewide mandate for private leagues, RCW 43.43.830-.845 permit WSP/FBI checks for orgs serving children (business/nonprofit); RCW 28A.400.303 school volunteers; youth leagues using school facilities often must check by district policy. Check municipal/league policy.
Concussion law: Zackery Lystedt Law, RCW 28A.600.190 (2009), schools AND private nonprofit youth sports organizations using school facilities (must comply, incl. parent info and RTP); coach training via WIAA/org policy; RTP written clearance by licensed health-care provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: Yes: RCW 28A.600.195 (2019): schools AND youth sports organizations using school facilities must provide SCA info to parents; WIAA coaches SCA training.
CPR and AED: None statewide for youth leagues (WIAA coaches first aid/CPR).
Coaches as mandated reporters: Supervisors only: RCW 26.44.030(1)(a) lists professionals/school personnel; (1)(b) makes a person in an 'official supervisory capacity' with a nonprofit or for-profit organization a reporter when they suspect abuse by an employee, contractor or volunteer who 'coaches, trains, educates, or counsels a child' or has unsupervised access. Coaches themselves are not named; 2025 amendments (c 192, c 197) did not add them. No SafeSport-style state mandate.
Coach certification: None for youth leagues.
Assault-on-official law: Yes: RCW 28A.635.090/.100 (interference/intimidation of school athletics officials) and SB 5272 (2026, eff. 6/11/2026) adding sports officials to protected persons (fine ≤$500/≤6 months).

All states

Rulebook by state

Washington at a glance: minimum wage $17.13 (indexed 1/1/2027; Seattle etc. higher). Final paycheck when you let someone go: Next regular payday. Minimum working age: 14 (12-13 agriculture; under 14 needs superior-court permit EXCEPT youth soccer referees certified by a national referee certification program - RCW 26.28.060). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide mandate for private leagues, RCW 43.43.830-.845 permit WSP/FBI checks for orgs serving children (business/nonprofit); RCW 28A.400.303 school volunteers; youth leagues using school facilities often must check by district policy. Check municipal/league policy.