Application of NYS Labor Laws
The New York State Registered WBL Programs follow US Department of Labor regulations. The following criteria serve to guide school districts in choosing the registered WBL program that accommodates their students’ work based learning experiences.
Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP)
Age 14 and older
Unpaid, on-site, hands-on
Exploration rather than skills development
Productive work is prohibited
Supported by related classroom instruction
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage does not apply
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Prohibited occupations apply, no student-learner exception is allowed
· Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment
of Minors
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
· Employer’s Workers’ Compensation covers students when performing manual labor
Unpaid, on-site, hands-on
Exploration rather than skills development
Productive work is prohibited
Supported by related classroom instruction
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage does not apply
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Prohibited occupations apply, no student-learner exception is allowed
· Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment
of Minors
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
· Employer’s Workers’ Compensation covers students when performing manual labor
Career & Technical Education Cooperative Work Experience Program (CO-OP)
Age 16 and older
Paid and non-paid, school-supervised work experience
Development of career specific skills
Productive work is allowed
Supported by related school instruction
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage applies
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Can perform prohibited occupations ONLY if all criteria for student-learner
exception are met
· Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment of Minors
· Employer’s Workers’ Compensation covers students when performing manual labor
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
· Students enrolled in CTE programs of study may not earn extra credit since the WBL
experience is included in the CTE credits
Paid and non-paid, school-supervised work experience
Development of career specific skills
Productive work is allowed
Supported by related school instruction
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage applies
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Can perform prohibited occupations ONLY if all criteria for student-learner
exception are met
· Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment of Minors
· Employer’s Workers’ Compensation covers students when performing manual labor
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
· Students enrolled in CTE programs of study may not earn extra credit since the WBL
experience is included in the CTE credits
General Education Work Experience Program (GEWEP)
Age 16 and older
Paid, supervised work experience
Productive work is allowed
Supported by at least one period of related classroom instruction
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage applies
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Prohibited occupations apply; no student-learner exception is allowed
· Must be covered by employer’s Workers’ Compensation
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
Paid, supervised work experience
Productive work is allowed
Supported by at least one period of related classroom instruction
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage applies
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Prohibited occupations apply; no student-learner exception is allowed
· Must be covered by employer’s Workers’ Compensation
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
Work Experience & Career Exploration Program
Ages 14 and 15 at risk population
Paid, supervised work experience
Productive work is allowed
Supported by related classroom instruction similar to GEWEP
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage applies
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Prohibited occupations apply; no student-learner exception is allowed
· Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment of Minors
· Must be covered by employer’s Workers” Compensation
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
See Section VI Sample Forms for documents containing the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations in regard to students participating in work based learning experiences.
Paid, supervised work experience
Productive work is allowed
Supported by related classroom instruction similar to GEWEP
School credit may be earned
· Minimum wage applies
· Employment certificate (working papers) required
· Prohibited occupations apply; no student-learner exception is allowed
· Hours limits apply based on NYS DOL Laws Governing the Employment of Minors
· Must be covered by employer’s Workers” Compensation
· Certificate of insurance from school to cover liability
See Section VI Sample Forms for documents containing the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations in regard to students participating in work based learning experiences.