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DEC Announces 2025 Exam Date for Licensed Guide
Program, Falconry License, Wildlife Rehabilitator License, and Leashed
Tracking Dog License
Published: January 04, 2025
at 10:00 a.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Announces 2025 Exam Date for Licensed Guide
Program, Falconry License, Wildlife Rehabilitator License, and Leashed
Tracking Dog License
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the
upcoming dates of examinations for individuals seeking
select Special Licenses. To provide enhanced access, DEC is offering
these examinations online and free-of-charge.
Exams being
offered:
- New York State Licensed Guide: camping,
fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater, rock climbing, and ice climbing;
- Falconry License;
- Wildlife Rehabilitator License; and
- Leashed Tracking Dog License.
“As part of our
ongoing efforts to enhance the customer experience, DEC is proud to offer
these free examinations online,” said DEC Interim Commissioner Sean
Mahar. “This process makes it easier for individuals to apply and
take part in helping others safely and responsibly enjoy New York’s
affordable outdoor recreation opportunities and undertake proper wildlife
rehabilitation activities.”
New York State
Licensed Guide Exams
A guide is a
person at least 18 years of age offering services for hire, including
directing, instructing, or aiding another individual in camping, fishing,
hiking, hunting, whitewater rafting/canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, and
ice climbing.
Applicants are
not required to be a resident of New York State to
receive a guide's license.
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2025 Licensed
Guide Examination Schedule
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Exam Date
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Exam Times
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Registration
Must be Received by:
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Feb. 7, 2025
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7:00 a.m. -
11:00 p.m.
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Feb. 5, 2025
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March 1, 2025
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NYSOGA meeting
only
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Feb. 21, 2025
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May 9, 2025
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7:00 a.m. -
11:00 p.m.
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May 7, 2025
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June 6, 2025
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7:00 a.m. -
11:00 p.m.
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June 4, 2025
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July 11, 2025
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7:00 a.m. –
11:00 p.m.
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July 9, 2025
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Sept. 12, 2025
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7:00 a.m. -
11:00 p.m.
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Sept. 10, 2025
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All exams will be
online, except for the in-person exam offered at the New York State Outdoor
Guides Association (NYSOGA) winter rendezvous meeting on March 1, 2025.
Exam and registration instructions can be found on the DEC Licensed Guide Program webpage.
To register,
visit the Licensed Guide Exams Registration Website. Applicants
will receive an email acknowledging registration with a one-time link to access the exam on the specified exam date. Upon
successful completion of the exam(s), applicants will receive information
on applying for the license, including an application form. Please do not
send applications or fees prior to passing the examination(s).
An outline of
exam content and a study guide can be found on the DEC Licensed Guide Program webpage. The Fieldbook, a reference book published by the Boy Scouts
of America, is also recommended and available online.
Falconry,
Wildlife Rehabilitator, and Leashed Tracking Dog License Examinations
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2025 Falconry,
Wildlife Rehabilitator, and Leashed Tracking Dog License Examination
Schedule
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Exam Date
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Exam Times
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Registration
must be Received by:
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April 11, 2025
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7:00 a.m. –
11:00 p.m.
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April 9, 2025
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Aug. 8, 2025*
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7:00 a.m. –
11:00 p.m.
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Aug. 6, 2025
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*Please note: Registration for the August exams will open the week following the April exam.
To register,
visit the Special Licenses Registration Website. Applicants will
receive an email acknowledging registration and a one-time
link to access the exam on the specified exam date. The link to the exam
registration webpage can be found on each of the individual license
webpages at: Division of Fish and Wildlife Special Licenses and Permits.
Apprentice
Falconry License
Falconry has a
rich history and tradition throughout the world and requires a significant commitment of time and effort. Apprentices
are limited to possessing one bird, either an American kestrel or a
red-tailed hawk. To qualify for the Apprentice Falconry License,
applicants must:
- score 80 percent or higher on the written exam;
- be at least 14 years of age;
- possess a valid New York State hunting license;
- maintain DEC-approved facilities for housing
falconry raptors; and
- be a resident of New York State.
A falconry study
guide and examination manual are available on the DEC Falconry License webpage. The exam is
free; the cost of a five-year falconry license is $40.
Wildlife
Rehabilitator License
Wildlife
rehabilitators provide for the care of injured, sick, and orphaned wild
animals for the purpose of returning rehabilitated animals to the wild.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to gain experience by serving as an
assistant to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. To qualify for the Wildlife
Rehabilitator License, applicants must:
- score 80 percent or higher on the written exam;
- be at least 16 years of age;
- be interviewed by DEC Regional wildlife
staff; and
- be a resident of New York State.
A wildlife
rehabilitator study guide and examination manual are available on
the DEC Wildlife Rehabilitator License webpage. The exam is
free and there is no cost for the five-year wildlife rehabilitation
license.
Leashed Tracking
Dog License
Leashed tracking
dog handlers provide a valuable service in aiding hunters in locating
wounded big game that otherwise may go unrecovered. To qualify for a
Leashed Tracking Dog License, applicants must:
- score 80 percent or higher on the written
exam; and
- possess a valid New York State hunting
license.
A leashed
tracking dog study guide is available on the DEC Leashed Tracking Dog License webpage. The exam
is free; the five-year leashed tracking dog license is $50. Additionally,
there is a $25 non-refundable fee for first-time applicants.
For questions or assistance please contact:
NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752
Email: SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov
Phone: 518-402-8985, Fax: 518-402-8925
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