Falconry License Requirements by State: The Complete US Guide

Falconry is one of the oldest hunting traditions in the world, and in the United States it is also one of the most regulated. Before you can legally fly a hawk or falcon, you need two permits: a state falconry permit and federal recognition through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Requirements vary meaningfully from state to state — and understanding those differences before you start can save you months of delay.

TL;DR: Every US falconer must hold both a state permit and a federal USFWS registration. At the apprentice level, federal law caps you at one bird (red-tailed hawk or American kestrel in most states), requires an 80% written exam score, a facility inspection, and a 2-year sponsorship under a General or Master falconer. State rules layer on top: age minimums, exam schedules, species lists, and fees all differ by state.

What is the dual-permit system for falconry in the US?

Falconry in the United States falls under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which means raptors — the birds used in falconry — are protected by federal law. The USFWS administers those protections through 50 CFR Part 21, Section 21.82, which sets the nationwide minimum standards that every state must meet or exceed.

In practice, the system works like this:

• Your state wildlife agency issues your actual falconry permit after you pass their exam, pass a facility inspection, and secure a sponsor.
• Your USFWS registration is handled through the federal 3-186A electronic database, which your state coordinates. You are required to report any acquisition, transfer, loss, or death of a raptor within 10 days using this system.

States can be more restrictive than the federal baseline — for instance, by raising the minimum age, restricting certain species, or limiting the number of active apprentices — but they cannot be less restrictive. Think of the federal rule as the floor, and each state's rule as the finished floor on top of it.

What are the federal apprentice requirements under 50 CFR 21.82?

Federal law establishes these baseline requirements for the Apprentice level:

• Minimum age: 12 years old (states may set a higher age)
• Bird limit: No more than 1 raptor, regardless of how many permits you hold
• Species: Apprentices may trap birds less than 1 year old from the wild, with certain species excluded (no bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, Swainson's hawks, swallow-tailed kites, flammulated owls, elf owls, short-eared owls, or any federally threatened/endangered raptor)
• Exam: Must score at least 80% on a state-administered written examination covering raptor care, falconry practices, and applicable federal and state regulations
• Sponsor: Must obtain a written commitment from a licensed General falconer (with 2+ years at that level and at least 18 years old) or a Master falconer, who agrees to provide active mentorship
• Facility inspection: The state must inspect your housing facility (called a mews) and your falconry equipment before the permit is issued
• Duration: 2 years minimum at the apprentice level before advancing to General

In practice, most apprentices use either a red-tailed hawk or an American kestrel as their first bird, as these are the two species most widely available for trapping and recommended by experienced falconers for beginners.

Exam tip: The falconry apprentice exam is 80 questions and requires a minimum score of 80% — that means you can miss no more than 16 questions. Questions cover raptor biology, equipment, training, health care, trapping methods, and both federal and state regulations. Ryno.tools has 398 practice questions for the apprentice exam at ryno.tools/falconry/.

What does the 2-year apprenticeship actually involve?

The apprenticeship is not just a waiting period — it is a structured mentorship. Your sponsor is legally responsible for guiding your training, and in many states they must be present when you first trap and handle your bird. Key points:

• Your sponsor may not have more than three apprentices at one time (this is a federal standard)
• You must actively practice falconry with your bird throughout the apprenticeship, not merely possess it
• Annual reports are required — most states use the federal 3-186A database, where you log any changes to your bird's status
• At the end of two years, you must apply to upgrade to a General permit; you do not automatically advance

Finding a willing sponsor is frequently the hardest step in the process. Sponsors have no obligation to take on new apprentices, and in smaller states or rural areas, licensed General and Master falconers may be few. Connecting with your state falconry club (often affiliated with NAFA, the North American Falconers Association) is the most reliable way to find one.

State-by-state requirements: the ten most-searched states

The following summaries are drawn from each state's official wildlife agency regulations. Requirements can change — always verify current rules directly with your state wildlife agency before applying.

California

Issuing agency: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

• Minimum age: 12 years
• Exam: Written, 100 questions, 80% required to pass; scheduled through CDFW regional offices; exam fee approximately $70 (2026)
• Sponsor: Required for the full 2-year apprenticeship; sponsor must be a Master falconer or a General falconer with at least 2 years at that level
• Facility inspection: Required; mews must meet minimum size standards (at least 6 ft high × 6 ft long × 5 ft wide for apprentices); inspection fee approximately $373 (2026)
• License fee: Approximately $112 plus a $20 application fee (2026)
• Notable: California is a high-demand state with an active falconry community. The California Hawking Club is a good first contact for finding sponsors.

Texas

Issuing agency: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

• Minimum age: 12 years (minor applicants require parental signature)
• Exam: Online, offered quarterly (first Tuesday of February, May, August, and November); in-person testing in Austin once annually; 80% required
• Sponsor: Required; must submit a Statement of Sponsor form with application; sponsor must have 2+ years at the General level or be a Master falconer
• Facility inspection: A Game Warden contacts you to schedule an inspection after your exam is passed
• Notable: Texas offers one of the more accessible exam schedules, with four online testing windows per year.

Florida

Issuing agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

• Minimum age: 14 years (minors require parental signature)
• Exam: Written, administered by FWC regional offices by appointment; 80% required
• Sponsor: Required for 2 years; FWC expects a multi-year, intensive mentorship commitment; a sponsor may have no more than three apprentices at one time
• Facility inspection: FWC assigns a local investigator to conduct an on-site inspection of your mews and equipment
• Species note: Florida apprentices may take red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, broad-winged hawks, or merlins — a somewhat broader list than some states
• Notable: Florida requires a valid Florida Hunting License in addition to the falconry permit.

Colorado

Issuing agency: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)

• Minimum age: 12 years; Colorado residency required (at least 6 consecutive months before applying)
• Exam: 100 questions covering falconry practices, raptor biology, and regulations; 2-hour time limit; 80% required
• Sponsor: Required; sponsor must be a Master falconer or a General falconer with at least 3 years at that level; a completed Sponsor Form is required with the application
• Facility inspection: District Wildlife Manager inspects the mews before license issuance
• Notable: Colorado's residency requirement means you cannot apply as a non-resident.

New York

Issuing agency: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

• Minimum age: 14 years; must be a New York resident; must hold a valid NY hunting license
• Exam: Written, free of charge; 4 scheduled dates per year (typically March, June, August, and October); 80% required; exam results are valid for 3 years
• Sponsor: Required; must train under a General or Master falconer
• Facility inspection: Required; DEC regional office conducts inspection before license issuance
• Species: Apprentices limited to 1 bird — American kestrel or red-tailed hawk
• License fee: $40 for a 5-year license
• Notable: New York offers a free study guide and examination manual through DEC. The exam schedule is among the most frequent in the Northeast.

Oregon

Issuing agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)

• Minimum age: 14 years
• Exam: Written, 100 questions; 80% required; covers raptor biology, natural history, and hunting techniques
• Sponsor: Required; sponsor must have at least 3 years at the General level or be a Master falconer
• Facility inspection: Mews must meet minimum standards (at least 64 sq ft); inspection by ODFW before permit issuance
• License fee: Approximately $147
• Notable: Oregon's sponsor experience requirement (3 years at General, compared to 2 in many states) is slightly more restrictive than the federal baseline.

Pennsylvania

Issuing agency: Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC)

• Minimum age: 12 years (applicants 17 and younger require parental co-signature)
• Exam: Written, supervised; 80% required; covers laws, raptor biology, trapping, facilities, health, and training; non-refundable exam fee of $25
• Sponsor: Required for the 2-year apprenticeship; sponsor must be a Pennsylvania General or Master falconer with at least 2 years at the General level
• Facility inspection: Required before permit issuance
• Notable: A valid Pennsylvania hunting license is required as part of the application.

Ohio

Issuing agency: Ohio Division of Wildlife

• Minimum age: 16 years — higher than the federal floor of 12; this is one of the higher minimum ages in the country
• Exam: Written, 80% required; covers raptor biology, field identification, falconry history and techniques, and regulations; exam fee approximately $75
• Sponsor: Required; must be a licensed General or Master falconer; sponsor must be present during initial raptor capture; finding a sponsor before applying is expected, as permits require active sponsorship on record
• Facility inspection: Equipment and mews inspected and approved by the Division of Wildlife before permit issuance
• Notable: Ohio's 16-year minimum age is a meaningful restriction — check this if you are applying on behalf of a younger applicant.

Michigan

Issuing agency: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

• Minimum age: 14 years (applicants under 18 require parental co-signature)
• Exam: Written, administered by the DNR; 80% required
• Sponsor: Required; sponsor must be a General or Master falconer
• Facility inspection: A conservation officer inspects facilities and equipment before the permit is issued
• Species: 1 raptor; American kestrel or red-tailed hawk
• Notable: Michigan has an active falconry community through the Michigan Hawking Club, which is a useful resource for finding sponsors.

Virginia

Issuing agency: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)

• Minimum age: 12 years
• Exam: Written, administered by DWR; 80% required; covers raptor biology, training, regulations, and care
• Sponsor: Required for the 2-year apprenticeship; must be a General or Master falconer
• Facility inspection: A DWR representative inspects mews and equipment before permit issuance
• Notable: Virginia DWR provides an examination guidance document covering regulations, facilities, and equipment standards — useful preparation reading before sitting the exam.

What about the other 40 states?

Every state follows the federal baseline structure: written exam at 80%, sponsor required, facility inspection, 2-year apprenticeship, 1 bird at apprentice level. The key variables across remaining states are:

• Minimum age: Most states set 12 or 14; a handful (including Ohio) go higher
• Exam scheduling: Some states offer exams year-round; others have 1–2 scheduled dates annually
• Exam fees: Range from free (New York) to approximately $75 (Ohio) or more
• License fees: Vary widely; many states charge $25–$150 for a multi-year permit
• Species nuances: A few states permit additional species at the apprentice level beyond the typical red-tailed hawk and American kestrel; Florida is one example

For every state not covered in detail above — including Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and others — contact your state wildlife agency directly or check the NAFA state regulations page for the current contact and regulatory link.

Exam tip: No matter which state you are in, the written exam tests the same core knowledge: raptor anatomy and biology, mews and equipment standards, trapping methods, federal regulations under 50 CFR Part 21, and state-specific rules. The 398 practice questions at ryno.tools/falconry/ are organized by these exact topic areas and can be filtered by tag so you can drill the areas where you're weakest before exam day.

What can close or restrict new apprentices?

Several situations can limit your ability to apply:

• Low raptor populations: If a state determines that a certain raptor species is under stress, it may suspend trapping permits for that species for a season or longer
• Administrative backlog: Some states have a limited number of staff who can conduct facility inspections, which can create waiting periods of weeks to months
• Sponsor scarcity: In states with small falconry communities, finding a licensed sponsor willing to take on a new apprentice can take a year or more — this is entirely outside the agency's control
• Residency requirements: Colorado and some other states require state residency; you cannot apply as a non-resident

If you hear that a state is "closed" to new apprentices, the most common cause is one of the above — not a formal prohibition. Calling the state wildlife agency directly is the only reliable way to find out current availability.

How to study for the falconry apprentice exam

The exam covers five broad areas tested across all states:

• Raptor biology: Anatomy, molt cycles, sex differences, raptor classification (accipiters, buteos, falcons, owls)
• Health and husbandry: Weight management, common diseases, nutrition, veterinary care
• Equipment and mews standards: Jesses, hoods, perches, scales, mews construction
• Training and hunting: Manning, lure work, conditioning, field hunting techniques
• Regulations: Federal rules under 50 CFR Part 21, state permit requirements, 3-186A reporting, prohibited species

The North American Falconers Association (NAFA) publishes study resources and can connect you with your state falconry club. Your state agency may also publish a study guide — New York's, for example, is available free from DEC.

For targeted practice, Ryno.tools offers 398 falconry apprentice practice questions covering all of these topics: ryno.tools/falconry/. The questions are drawn from the same topic areas tested on state exams and can be filtered by subject so you can focus on your weak spots.

Frequently asked

How long does it take to get a falconry license?

The shortest realistic timeline is about 6 to 12 months from first contact with the process to receiving your permit — then a mandatory 2-year apprenticeship before you can advance to General falconer. The most time-consuming steps are usually finding a willing sponsor (which can take months in areas with few falconers) and scheduling a facility inspection after building your mews. Plan for the full process to take 2 to 3 years before you hold a General-level permit.

Can you get a falconry license in every state?

Yes — falconry is legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. There is no state that has prohibited falconry outright. However, some states periodically restrict new apprentice permits or have lengthy waiting periods for inspections. Always contact your state wildlife agency before starting, as availability can change from year to year.

What states are easiest to get a falconry license?

Every state requires the same federal minimum: an 80% written exam, a facility inspection, and a 2-year apprenticeship with a sponsor. Practical differences come down to exam frequency (Texas offers four online testing dates per year; New York offers four scheduled dates), age minimums (12 in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; 14 in Florida, Michigan, New York, and Oregon; 16 in Ohio), and sponsor availability. States with active falconry clubs — accessible through NAFA — tend to have more available sponsors, which is the biggest practical differentiator.

Do you need a sponsor to get a falconry license?

Yes, a sponsor is mandatory under federal regulation (50 CFR 21.82). Your sponsor must be a General falconer with at least 2 years at that level and at least 18 years old, or a Master falconer. The sponsor must actively guide your training for the full 2-year apprenticeship. Because sponsors are under no obligation to take on apprentices, finding one is often the single biggest hurdle for people entering the sport. Connecting with your state's falconry club through NAFA is the most effective way to find a sponsor who is actively willing to mentor.