Wildlife Rehabilitator License
Statutory Authority: ECL 11-0515(3) and 6 NYCRR Part 175, Part 184, and Part 189
Please visit the Care of Young Wildlife page if you have found abandoned or orphaned wildlife for information and common questions.
The Department may issue a Wildlife Rehabilitator License, to qualified individuals, authorizing the rehabilitator to temporarily possess distressed wildlife for the purpose of providing care to sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to release the animal back to wild once it has recovered.
Wildlife rehabilitation can be very rewarding, but it requires time, resources, and dedication on the part of the rehabilitator. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitator, you must:
- Complete and submit the application form (available below).
- Pass the Wildlife Rehabilitator Exam with a score of 80% or higher.
- Obtain Two letters of recommendation.
- Interview with your Regional Wildlife Office.
Please note:
- Native wildlife may not be kept as pets in New York State.
- This license expires annually on December 31.
- There is no fee for this license.
The rehabilitator exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. It is offered statewide in the spring at most regional DEC offices. It is also offered every fall at the annual conference of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (NYSWRC). The date of the next exam is October 26th, 2008 at the NYSWRC Conference. To obtain the study materials for the exam, send a check or money order for $15 with a note stating your request, to the NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit.
For more information about wildlife rehabilitation, signing up for conferences, or finding resources, you can visit:
- New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council: www.nyswrc.org
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: http://www.nwrawildlife.org/
Information for current Wildlife Rehabilitators:
If you are currently a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator the following links will supply you with some needed documents. To renew your current license, you must submit the Log and Tally forms below. Instructions are also provided. If you did not rehabilitate any wildlife, you still must submit the Tally form so that we know whether or not you want to be on the public list and can update your contact information.
- Wildlife Rehabilitator Log (PDF 306 kb)
- Wildlife Rehabilitator Log Tally (PDF 303 kb)
- Wildlife Rehabilitator Log & Tally Instructions (PDF 235 kb)
To maintain possession of any wildlife which is non-releasable for use in educational programs, or as foster parents, you must obtain a License to Collect or Possess.
Please note: Any non-releasable wildlife kept under a License to Collect or Possess must be certified by your veterinarian as permanently disabled and/or non-releasable. A copy of a letter from your veterinarian stating that the animal is non-releasable must be attached to your License to Collect or Possess application.
Please contact the Special Licenses Unit with any questions or concerns about qualifying or applying for the Wildlife Rehabilitator License. To sign up for an exam, or apply for this license, complete the Wildlife Rehabilitator License Application (PDF 166 kb), and send to the Department of Environmental Conservation Special Licenses Unit.
NYSDEC
Special Licenses Unit
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4752
518-402-8985
List of applicable Laws and Regulations
