Final answer:
New hires under 16 years old are NOT an exception to minimum wage regulations. Certain exemptions apply to vocational students, tip-based employees, and full-time students under specific criteria, but no exemption explicitly applies to new hires under 16 years old based on age alone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which option is NOT an exception to minimum wage regulations. The options provided include students enrolled in a vocational program, individuals that regularly receive tips, new hires under 16 years old, and full-time students. To answer this, we should understand that under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), certain groups may be exempt from minimum wage requirements. For example, students enrolled in a vocational program and individuals who regularly receive tips (such as waitstaff) may be paid less than the federal minimum wage under specific circumstances. Additionally, new hires under 20 years old can be paid a lower training wage, but only for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. There is no mention in the FLSA of an exemption specifically for new hires under 16 years old, making this the option that is NOT an exception to minimum wage regulations. Full-time students may also be paid less under certain criteria, such as working part-time and being enrolled in an accredited school.