By Pamela L. Vartabedian and Justin T. Curley

Unlike its two conformist siblings—the licensed professional and learned professional exemptions—the “creative professional” exemption is an artsy rebel that does not depend on an employee’s professional field, advanced knowledge, or educational degree. Determining whether an employee meets the creative professional exemption involves a fact-specific inquiry regarding the exact nature of the work performed by the employee.

Who is an exempt creative professional?

Federal law: To qualify as an exempt creative professional under federal law, the employee must be compensated at least $455 per week and the employee’s “primary duty” must be the performance of work that requires invention, imagination, originality, or talent in a recognized field of artistic or creative endeavor.

California law: The California standard differs from the federal standard, and requires that the employee (1) receive a salary of no less than two times the state minimum wage for full-time employment (currently equivalent to $37,440 per year), (2) spend more than 50% of the time performing work requiring invention, imagination, originality, or talent in a recognized field of artistic or creative endeavor, and (3) regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment in the performance of the job duties.

Just how creative must the work be?

Whether an employee is exempt as a creative professional turns on the extent of the invention, imagination, originality, or talent that the employee exercises. For example:
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