Work Permit

Based on Ohio law, all youth who will be 14 or 15 years old by June 1st will need a work permit to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program.

Youth under the age of 14 are not permitted to work until Youth Opportunities Unlimited has received your documentation. Y.O.U. will not pay you for hours worked without a Work Permit.

When you have completed your eligibility appointment, Y.O.U. will provide a Work Permit Application with the Employer information completed.

We will not issue the application before this stage. Before this time, we suggest you work on scheduling and completing a medical physical exam and get a doctor to sign the Physician’s Certificate that is included on the Work Permit application.

YOU MUST BRING THE WORK PERMIT WITH YOU TO ORIENTATION.

How to Get a Work Permit:

  1. You and your parent/guardian must complete the first page of the application. Remember that your parent/guardian must sign that page at the bottom of the student section.

  2. A doctor must complete the Physician’s Certificate on the second page of the application. Your doctor will sign it to indicate that you have had a physical exam in the last twelve months and are healthy enough to work. If you had a physical to play sports for school, check with the school office to see if they have a copy of that to use for your work permit application.

  3. Combine the parent/guardian signature page, Physician’s Certificate AND Y.O.U. Employer information into a completed Work Permit Application.

  4. Take the completed application to your school or school board to have them issue a work permit. All school districts are different, but your school’s office should be able to tell you where to go to have your permit issued. (See link to document below for additional details)

NOTE: When you submit your application for a work permit to your school district, both the 14 or 15-year-old AND a parent/ guardian must be present. The student must also bring proof of age, either a birth certificate or State of Ohio ID.

When Your Work Permit Application is Complete:

For students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District:

If you attend a school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, you will take or send your completed work permit application (with the completed Physician’s Certificate) to the following location:

East Professional Center

Contact: Robyn Ballew

Phone: 216-838-0323

Email: Robyn.Ballew@clevelandmetroschools.org

For students outside the Cleveland Metropolitan School District:

Consult your school office for information about where to receive your work permit once you have a completed application.

We have also gathered information for many of the local school districts.

  • Bedford City School District (475 Northfield Road, Bedford, Ohio 44146)

    • To obtain a work permit you must request an appointment by calling Sasha Strother at 440-786-3521 or Lisa Schroeder at 440-786-3522 or email Sasha at sstrother@bedfordschools.org

  • Berea City School District Berea (Midpark High School 165 East Bagley Road, Berea, Ohio 44017)

    • Work Permit applications can be signed and issued at the main office

    • Contact: Stephanie Kronka, 216-898-8900, Ext. 5127

  • Brooklyn City School District (Brooklyn High School 9200, Biddulph Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144)

    • To obtain a work permit, you can drop off completed applications at the office. Hours: MF, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

    • Please allow 24 hours for processing.

    • For questions contact Barb Hastings at 216-485-8162 or email barb.hastings@bcshurricanes.org

  • Cleveland Central Catholic High School (6550 Baxter Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44105)

    • To obtain a work permit, students can go to the main office with their completed application. Anyone there can assist you.

    • Hours: M-F 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

    • If you have questions call Nadine Gurley at 216-441-4700 Ext. 201.

  • Cleveland Hts./University Hts. School District (2155 Miramar Blvd., University Heights, Ohio 44118)

    • Cleveland Hts. Board of Education will issue the permit.

    • Contact: Vivian Gatta, 216-371-7171 or v_gatta@chuh.org

    • CALL FIRST - Hours not yet determined

  • East Cleveland City School District (1843 Stanwood Road, Door #5, East Cleveland, Ohio 44112)

    • The East Cleveland Board of Education will issue the permit. (Located at Prospect Elementary)

    • Contact: Tracy Jackson, 216-268-6600 or tmjackson@eastclevelandschools.org

    • Hours: M-F, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

    • Permits are processed within 24-48 hours. Student must be present.

    • Parent does not need to be present.

  • Euclid City School District Registration Office (22800 Fox Avenue Euclid Ohio 44123)

    • CALL FIRST

    • Contact: Mrs. Drake, 216-797-2932 Registration Office at the Board of Education

    • Memorial Elementary – Entrance is off Babbitt Road, driveway shared with Ice Arena

  • Garfield Hts. City School District (Garfield Heights High School 4900 Turney Road, Garfield Hts., Ohio 44125)

    • Contact: Donna Newton, 216-662-2800

    • Completed work permit applications can be signed and issued by the Main Office.

    • Hours: M-F, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM During the month of July call 216-475-8100

  • Holy Name High School (6000 Queens Highway, Parma Heights, Ohio 44130)

    • Permit applications can be signed and issued at the Main Office.

    • 440-886-0300.

    • Hours: M-F 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Anyone in the office can assist you)

  • Lakewood City School District (Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Blvd. Lakewood, Ohio 44107)

    • Students can drop off their completed work permit applications with the secretary.

    • Someone will call when your work permit is ready for pick up.

    • If you have questions please call 216-529-4028, then dial your house office extension.

  • Lutheran East High School (3565 Mayfield Rd. Cleveland Hts., Ohio 44118)

    • Contact: Loretta Childs (call for instructions) Phone: 216-382-6100, Ext. 119 Email: lchilds@Lutheraneast.org

    • Hours: M-F 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM,

    • Processed within 24 hrs.

  • Maple Hts. City School District (Maple Hts. High School One Mustang Way, Maple Hts., Ohio 44137)

    • Freshman Academy Office – 2 nd floor If you have questions contact Tracey Madden at 216-438-6400, ext. 1624

    • All secretaries in the office are able to assist with processing work permits.

  • Parma Public School District

    • Completed work permit applications can be signed and issued by the Main Office for the school you attend.

    • Normandy High School (2500 West Pleasant Valley Road, Parma, Ohio 44134)

      • Contact: Mrs. Dusenbury, 440-885-8359 or Mrs. Krempa, 440-885-2400

    • Parma Senior High School Records Department (6285 West 54th Street, Parma, Ohio 44129)

      • Phone: 440-885-8625

      • Follow the instructions per the recording.

    • Valley Forge Records Room (9999 Independence Blvd., Parma Hts., Ohio 44130)

      • Contact: Cathy Nicklin, 440-885-2333 or Amanda 440-885-2330

  • Richmond Hts. School District (Richmond Hts. High School 447 Richmond Road, Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143)

    • To obtain a work permit you must call or email Cheryl McConnell

    • Phone: 216-692-0097

    • Email: mcconnell.cheryl@richmondheightsschools.org

  • Shaker Hts. High School (15911 Aldersyde Drive, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120)

    • To obtain a work permit, students can take the completed application to the main office or email it to Mae Morrical at morrical_m@shaker.org

    • 216-295-4200

    • If home schooled - student will need to show current ID.

  • St. Edwards High School (13500 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107)

    • To obtain a work permit, students can stop by the office of Lois Weaver with your completed application.

    • If you have questions call or email her at: 216-221- 3776 or lweaver@sehs.net.

  • St. Ignatius High School (1911 W. 30th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113)

    • To obtain a work permit you must email your completed application to: Jayne Shepard at, jshepard@ignatius.edu or 216-651-0222

  • South Euclid/Lyndhurst City School District (Charles F. Brush High School, 4875 Glenlyn Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44129)

    • To obtain a work permit you may call or email Karen Gilmour Phone: 216 691-2083 Email: gilmour@sel.k12.oh.us

  • Trinity High School (12425 Granger Road, Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125)

    • To obtain a work permit, students can stop by the office of Jamie Martin with your completed application.

    • If you have questions call or email her at: 216-581-1644 or martinjj@ths.org

  • Warrensville Hts. Public School District (Warrensville Heights High School, 4270 Northfield Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128)

    • Contact: Fannie Dean, 216-230-2615 or fannie.dean@whcsd.org

    • Work Permit applications can be signed and issued at the Main Office.

    • Hours: M-F, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Saturday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Note: This was last updated in spring of 2021. Some information may be outdated.

If you do not see your district listed above, please contact your school’s Guidance Department for information.