Per Mass General Laws, individuals under 18 must obtain a work permit from their local superintendent before starting a new job. In Wellesley, the Superintendent has designated WHS Guidance Secretary Lucretia Burns to manage the work permit process. 

Please reach out to Ms. Burns for an appointment ONLY after taking the following steps:

  1. Download the Youth Employment Permit Application and Youth Employment Permit Process. You can also access these forms in Spanish (Español), Portuguese (Portugués), Chinese (中国人), and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).
  2. Once a job offer is made by an employer, the employer must complete and sign the “Promise of Employment” section.
  3. For 14 and 15 year old students only: Please have your doctor complete the Physician’s Certificate of Health, which must be signed within 12 months from the date the application is presented to the school for issuing the permit. A copy of a physical exam report will not be accepted.
  4. If you are not a Wellesley Public Schools Student: If you are not enrolled in WPS, you must provide a letter from your attending school stating your enrollment status. This letter must be on your school’s letterhead.
  5. Both the prospective employee and a parent, guardian, or custodian must sign the permit form.
  6. The permit form must be submitted with one of the following documents:
  • Massachusetts Driver’s License
  • Massachusetts Learner’s Permit
  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport

Once you have all the appropriate signatures and documents, please contact WHS Guidance Secretary Lucretia Burns at burnsl@wellesleyps.org or 781-446-6290, ext. 4601, to schedule a time to submit your paperwork. Please note: it can take up to 5 days to obtain a work permit once the documentation is submitted, so it is advisable to coordinate your start date to this timeline.

See Mass.gov and the Youth Permit Process Flowchart for more information.