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District of Columbia: rest break laws

Whether your state requires paid rest breaks during the workday, separate from meal breaks.

Checked on official source
Rest break ruleNo state requirement
Who it coversFederal law does not require breaks

Under federal law, any short break of 5 to 20 minutes that your employer chooses to give must be paid. Separate rules may apply to minors and nursing mothers.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in District of Columbia.

How District of Columbia compares

42 of 51 states and DC share this answer (No): Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Alaska: No state requirementAKMaine: No state requirementMEVermont: Reasonable opportunities to eat and use the restroomVTNew Hampshire: No state requirementNHWashington: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours worked; no more than 3 hours without a breakWAIdaho: No state requirementIDMontana: No state requirementMTNorth Dakota: No state requirementNDMinnesota: Paid time to use the restroom within each 4 hoursMNIllinois: Two paid 15-minute breaks per 7+ hour shiftILWisconsin: No state requirementWIMichigan: No state requirementMINew York: No state requirementNYRhode Island: No state requirementRIMassachusetts: No state requirementMAOregon: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours worked, plus the meal periodORNevada: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedNVWyoming: No state requirementWYSouth Dakota: No state requirementSDIowa: No state requirementIAIndiana: No state requirementINOhio: No state requirementOHPennsylvania: No state requirementPANew Jersey: No state requirementNJConnecticut: No state requirementCTCalifornia: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedCAUtah: No state requirementUTColorado: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedCONebraska: No state requirementNEMissouri: No state requirementMOKentucky: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedKYWest Virginia: No state requirementWVVirginia: No state requirementVAMaryland: No state requirementMDDelaware: No state requirementDEArizona: No state requirementAZNew Mexico: No state requirementNMKansas: No state requirementKSArkansas: No state requirementARTennessee: No state requirementTNNorth Carolina: No state requirementNCSouth Carolina: No state requirementSCDistrict of Columbia: No state requirementDCOklahoma: No state requirementOKLouisiana: No state requirementLAMississippi: No state requirementMSAlabama: No state requirementALGeorgia: No state requirementGAHawaii: No state requirementHITexas: No state requirementTXFlorida: No state requirementFL
  • Yes (9)
  • No (42)

Also for District of Columbia: Discrimination deadlines in District of Columbia · Paid leave programs in District of Columbia · Minimum wage in District of Columbia · Final paycheck rules in District of Columbia · Paid sick leave in District of Columbia · State income tax in District of Columbia · Right-to-work laws in District of Columbia · Tipped minimum wage in District of Columbia · Payday frequency in District of Columbia · State EITC in District of Columbia · All District of Columbia rules on one page

How we checked this

Rules come from the U.S. Department of Labor's table of state paid rest period requirements for adult workers. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.