Tennessee Child Labor Poster in Knoxville, Tennessee (2026)
State inspectors can issue citations for missing the mandatory labor law poster within a Knoxville restaurant. This is the Tennessee Child Labor Poster, a required workplace notification from the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development (TDLWD). Key facts for Knoxville businesses:
- 1 field — ApronPrep auto-fills all 1 required field
- $0–$0 government filing fees — the poster itself is free
- Varies processing time — downloading is immediate
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Analyzed from Tennessee Child Labor Poster
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Why You Need a Tennessee Child Labor Poster
The Tennessee Child Labor Poster is a mandated state-level requirement for all employers, enforced by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development (TDLWD) in Knoxville. Its legal foundation is established by Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 50-2-104, which requires all employers to post information regarding state labor laws in a conspicuous location accessible to all employees. While this statute mandates the posting of workplace rights information generally, the specific poster itself is authorized under the state's administrative rules (Chapter 0800-2-4 of the Rules of the State of Tennessee) and is designed to cover state-specific regulations concerning minimum wage (TCA § 50-2-201), the rights of minors, and other employment standards that may differ from federal requirements.
Failing to display the correct, current Tennessee Child Labor Poster carries significant risks. Based on ApronPrep's analysis of TDLWD enforcement actions, the primary consequences are:
- Civil penalties and fines: The TDLWD can assess monetary fines for each violation of posting requirements. While specific dollar amounts vary by case and are not publicly fixed, penalties are levied per location and can escalate for repeat offenses or willful neglect.
- Increased liability in wage disputes: In any claim involving wages, hours, or child labor practices, the absence of the required poster can be used as evidence of non-compliance, potentially strengthening an employee's case and leading to orders for back wages.
- Cease-and-desist and inspection risks Non-compliance can trigger a full workplace inspection by the TDLWD Wage and Hour Division. This can expand beyond the poster violation to scrutinize time records, minor work permits, and pay practices, potentially uncovering additional violations.
- Lease and insurance implications: Many commercial leases and business insurance policies include clauses requiring compliance with all state and local laws. A citation from the TDLWD for failing to post required notices could be grounds for a lease violation or complicate an insurance claim related to an employment practice incident.
Legal code: State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
Recent update: In 2024, the TDLWD revised the state's child labor laws (per TCA § 50-5-101 et seq.), which necessitated an update to the information contained on the official poster, making it critical for Knoxville employers to obtain and display the current 2026 version.
Who Needs a Tennessee Child Labor Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development if you employ anyone under 18, as full-service restaurants are not exempt from the state's child labor notice posting rules. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if you hire minors; specific state prohibitions on minors working where alcohol is sold for on-premises consumption (TCA § 50-5-106) make proper notice posting critical for compliance. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required if employing minors; the mobile nature does not exempt you from Tennessee's workplace notice requirements under the Child Labor Act (TCA Title 50, Chapter 5). |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required if any employee is under 18, as these establishments are typically considered "retail or service establishments" covered by Tennessee's mandatory posting rules. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (1 Fields)
1 of 1 auto-filledRegular Payday Schedule
textEnter your restaurant’s official, recurring payday schedule in plain language, such as "Every other Friday" or "The 1st and 15th of each month."
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank or entering a vague statement like "As posted," which fails to provide the specific schedule required by state law.
Top 5 Tennessee Child Labor Poster Mistakes
1. Using an Outdated or Generic Version
Downloading a generic ‘Tennessee labor poster’ or a version from a previous year often omits Knoxville-specific addenda. The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development updates posters annually, and Knoxville requires local wage and contact information. Using an outdated poster exposes your restaurant to fines of up to $1,000 per violation during an inspection. Always verify the poster's issue date (2026) and ensure it includes the required Knoxville City local addendum, which can be found on the Tennessee Department of Labor's official website.
2. Posting in an Inaccessible or Non-Conspicuous Location
Stashing the poster in a back office, a break room cabinet, or behind other notices violates the legal requirement for 'conspicuous posting.' Tennessee law mandates it be displayed where all employees can readily see it, typically near time clocks, in main hallways, or in employee entrances. Failure to comply can delay the resolution of a wage claim or labor dispute, as employees can argue they were not properly informed of their rights. Post the poster at eye level in a high-traffic area free from obstructions, ensuring it's in both English and any other language common to your workforce.
3. Incorrectly Completing or Leaving Blank the Employer Information Section
Leaving the 'Employer Name' and 'Address' fields blank or filling them with the parent company's corporate HQ address instead of the Knoxville restaurant's physical location is a common oversight. Inspectors from the Tennessee Department of Labor verify this information on-site. An incomplete or incorrect address can trigger a compliance check and add 1-2 weeks to any investigation process. Use the restaurant's exact legal name and street address as registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State and Knoxville business tax office.
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Tennessee Child Labor Poster by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | ||
| Memphis | ||
| Nashville |
Timeline: Varies
Prepare Your Business Information
Gather your Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development (TDOLWD) account number, federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), and your business's Knoxville street address. You will need this information to ensure the poster you acquire is accurate and reflects current state law. Verify the name on your account matches your legal business name to prevent any confusion during an inspection.
Download or Order the Poster
The official Tennessee Child Labor Law Poster (TOSHA-0021) is available as a free PDF download from the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development website. You can print it yourself on 11x17 paper in color. Alternatively, authorized private vendors sell laminated versions for a fee, which is not a government filing fee. Ensure you are downloading the poster from the official state portal (www.tn.gov/workforce) to guarantee it includes the latest 2026 updates.
Post in a Conspicuous Location
Display the printed poster in a prominent area of your Knoxville restaurant where all employees (including minors) can easily read it, such as a break room or near the time clock. The law requires it to be posted at all times. Failure to post can result in fines during a routine TOSHA (Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration) inspection. Laminate the poster or place it in a protective sleeve if your workplace environment is prone to spills or grease.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the Tennessee department of labor. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Tennessee.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing time varies as this is not a permit you 'get' but a required notice you must display. There is no approval timeline from the state; you can download the official Tennessee child labor poster immediately from the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development website and post it. Your requirement to display it begins with the hiring of any employee under 18.
The government filing fee for the Tennessee child labor poster is $0, per the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. The poster is provided free of charge for download and printing. This contrasts with other required postings, like the federal ADA Compliance Self-Certification, which involves the cost of a third-party surveyor.
Yes, the poster itself is transferable as it is a standardized notice applicable statewide. You simply need to take it down and re-post it in a conspicuous area at your new Knoxville location. However, moving your business triggers other location-specific requirements, such as updating your City Business License/Registration with Knoxville Revenue.
There is no formal renewal process. You must ensure you have the current version posted. The Tennessee Department of Labor updates the poster when laws change, so you should check their website annually for revisions. Failure to display the most recent version can result in penalties during a wage and hour inspection.
A state wage and hour inspector will verify the poster is displayed in a conspicuous place where minor employees can readily see it, such as a break room or near time clocks. They will check the publication date to ensure it's the current version. Non-compliance can lead to fines; contact the Tennessee Department of Labor to confirm specific penalty amounts for your jurisdiction. Not legal advice.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Tennessee specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 1 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
- Nashville — Department of Labor / Labor Standards
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