Wildlife Rehabilitator License

License Details

This license authorizes a New York resident to rehabilitate or care for injured or young orphaned wildlife for their return back to the wild.

Fees

There is no fee for Class I, Class II or Assistant Licenses.

Duration

The duration of the Class I and Class II Licenses is 5 years. The duration of the Assistant License is 1 year.

Age Requirement

The age requirement is 16 years of age or older.

License Types

There are 2 license types with subclasses for the wildlife rehabilitator license:

• General Wildlife Rehabilitator - Classes I, II*, and Assistant
  • Base/starting license for all rehabilitators.
• Rabies Vector Species Wildlife Rehabilitator - Classes I, II*, and Assistant
  • Can handle and care for "rabies vector species" of bats, raccoons and skunks.

* Class II licenses authorize a rehabilitator to have a licensed assistant help care for wildlife under their supervision.

What This License Allows

• Providing care for injured or debilitated wildlife for release back to the wild, including most of the following:
  • Mammals - Except large mammals including white-tailed deer, black bear, and moose.
  • Reptiles & amphibians
  • Unregulated bird species (i.e. pigeons, European starlings, house sparrows)
  • Some regulated game birds (i.e. turkey, pheasant, grouse)
• Capturing, housing, feeding, and providing emergency treatment to injured wildlife.

What This License Does Not Allow

• Caring for the following protected species without an appropriate federal permit:
  • Birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (songbirds, raptors, etc.). A migratory bird rehabilitation permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services is needed.
  • Marine mammals protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. A federal marine mammal permit from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is needed.
• Caring for large mammals including white-tailed deer, black bear, and moose, without additional license authority.
• Keeping animals long-term.
• Displaying or exhibiting animals to the public.
• Rehabilitating domestic animals.
• Rehabilitate wild white-tailed deer or moose from an established chronic wasting disease (CWD) containment area. Currently, no containment area exists in New York.

How to Apply

Applying for a Wildlife Rehabilitator License

1. Pass the wildlife rehabilitator examination with a score of 80% or higher. See Registering for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Examination below.
2. Complete and submit the Wildlife Rehabilitator License Application (an application form and instructions are provided after passing the exam).

Registering for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Examination

Register on-line. Registration Deadline is August 7, 2024.
You will receive a registration confirmation once complete along with additional information on taking the exam.

Exam Date: Friday, August 9, 2024

Exam time: Any time between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Time allotted to complete the exam: 2 Hours

Exam Fee: No fee

Exam Study Materials:
Wildlife Rehabilitator Exam Study Guide (PDF)
Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Examination Booklet (PDF)

At the end of the examination, upon successful completion with a grade of 80% or greater, you will be provided with a license application form and further instructions on how to apply for the license including:

Setting up an interview with a DEC wildlife manager or representative.

Applying/Upgrading to a General Class II License

Upgrading to a General Wildlife Rehabilitator Class II

1. Be a Class I General Wildlife Rehabilitator for at least 2 years.
2. Submit outline of training methods and procedures for assistants.

Applying/Upgrading to a Rabies Vector Species License

Upgrading to Rabies Vector Species (RVS) Class I License

1. Be a Class I General Wildlife Rehabilitator for at least 2 years.
2. Complete the 8-hour RVS training course. Offered once per year at the annual Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Conference.
3. Have animal facility inspected by the Dept. of Agriculture and Markets
4. Have current pre-exposure rabies vaccination.
5. Submit application (supplied at course), certificate of course completion, proof of rabies vaccination, and facility inspection report to DEC's Special Licenses Unit for review and approval.

Upgrading to a Rabies Vector Species Class II License

1. Complete all upgrade steps for Class I RVS
2. Submit outline of training methods and procedures for assistants.

Applying for Authority to Rehabilitate Large Mammals

1. Be a Class I General Wildlife Rehabilitator for at least 2 years.
2. Have facilities that at a minimum meet the specifications listed in the current edition of the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association/International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation.
3. Complete and submit the Wildlife Rehabilitation License Large Mammal Request Form describing your facilities and detailing your experience handling large mammals, training, and knowledge of large mammal husbandry techniques, including capture techniques, housing, animal enrichment, and release techniques.

Applying for an Assistant License

For General Assistant Licenses:

1. Have a Class II rehabilitator submit your name and contact information, including address, phone and email to DEC's Special Licenses Unit.

For Rabies Vector Species Assistant Licenses

1. Complete step 1 above for General Assistant licenses
2. Complete the 8-hour RVS training course. Offered once per year at the annual Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Conference.
3. Have a current pre-exposure rabies vaccination.
4. Submit application (supplied at course), certificate of course completion, and proof of vaccination to DEC's Special Licenses Unit for review and approval.

Renewing and Reporting

License Renewal

• Class I & II Licenses expire on December 31 every 5th year after the license was issued. A renewal form will be sent by mail prior to the license expiration date noted on the license. If a license renewal form is not received at least 2-weeks prior to the expiration date, please contact us.
• Assistant Licenses expire on December 31 each year. To renew, your supervising Class II rehabilitator must resubmit your name to DEC's Special Licenses Unit.

Annual Reporting

All Class I & II rehabilitators must complete and submit log and tally forms by December 1 each year. Log and tally forms must be completed regardless if wildlife were treated or not for the year.

• General Wildlife Rehabilitator Class I & II
  • Log Form (PDF)
  • Tally Form (PDF)
  • Instructions (PDF)
• Rabies Vector Species Class I & II
  • Log, Tally & Instructions (PDF)
  • RVS Acceptance Form (PDF) - Must be completed when taking in any rabies vector species for rehabilitation.

Laws & Regulations

New York Codes Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)

• Part 175 Special Licenses and Permits - Definitions and Uniform Procedures
• Part 184 Wildlife Rehabilitators 
• Part 189.7(f) Chronic Wasting Disease 

Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)

Please visit New York State Legislature

• 11-0515(3) License to Possess Distressed Wildlife for Rehabilitation Purposes

Contact Information

DEC Special Licenses Unit
625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233
[email protected]
(518) 402-8985

Other Resources and Information

• New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator Contact List - Statewide contact list of rehabilitators with information on the type of wildlife they can care for.
• Care of Young Wildlife - Information on what to do if you come across young wildlife that appear abandoned or orphaned.
• New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
• National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association