• Child entertainers in New York follow different labor laws than other underage workers.Child image by Serenitie from Fotolia.com
  
  Throughout the state of New York, child labor laws are regulated by the Division of Labor Standards. For children in the entertainment industry in New York, labor law differs from general child labor law. The hours that child entertainers can work vary compared to other industries, as does the mechanism by which the child's earned income is distributed. General child labor law age limitations also do not apply to child entertainers.
  
  

Employment Certificate

• Any child under the age of 18 who is an entertainer must apply for and possess an Employment Permit for Child Performer. This certificate must be issued by the Department of Labor before work can begin, excluding performances for church or school. The permit is valid for six months and must be renewed 30 days before expiring.
  
  

Trust Accounts

• New York state law mandates that a trust account be established for child entertainers. Parents or guardians must place at least 15 percent of the child's earnings in an automatic deposit account, or the child's employment certificate will not be renewed. This account must be set up within 15 days of the employment start date and the information be given to the employer so that monies can be automatically deposited. Other industries have no trust fund requirements.
  
  

Academic Performance

• In the state of New York, the child entertainer's academic progress must be satisfactory throughout the time period he is employed onstage. A certified New York teacher can be hired to teach the child if needed. Each semester, evidence must be provided by the school or teacher that shows that the child is keeping up with his studies.
  
  

Age

• Child entertainers, unlike other child workers, are subject to no requirements for a minimum age that they can begin work. This includes work related to the theater, radio, television or modeling. In other industries, with the exception of newspaper delivery or family business work, a child must be at least 14 before securing employment.