Environment DEC
From the March 2009 issue
Exams Scheduled for Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators and Apprentice Falconers
Wildlife Rehabilitator Exam
The examination for people interested in becoming licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitators will be given on Friday, April 24 from 10 AM until noon at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regional offices across the state. There is no charge for either the exam or the license issued by DEC. The deadline for registering for the exam is Friday, April 3, 2009.
A wildlife rehabilitator study guide and examination manual are available to applicants for $15 per set. The study materials also include the registration application. The instructional materials were developed by wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians and biologists to teach applicants about the practice of wildlife rehabilitation, including technical requirements for licensed volunteers.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old, submit two character references with their applications, have no convictions for violations of the state Environmental Conservation Law and be interviewed by a DEC regional wildlife staff person.
Apprentice Falconer Exam
Apprentice falconers must be at least 14 years old, possess a valid small-game hunting license and maintain a DEC-approved facility for housing raptors.
The examination for people interested in becoming licensed apprentice falconers will be given on Friday, April 24 from 10 AM until noon at DEC regional offices across the state. All applicants will receive a letter of confirmation with a list of locations where the test will be given.
There is no charge for the exam, but the cost of a two-year apprentice falconer license is $20. The deadline for registering for the exam is Friday, April 3, 2009.
Applicants must be at least 14 years old, possess a valid New York State small-game hunting license and maintain DEC-approved facilities for housing raptors. Apprentices are limited to possessing only one bird, either an American kestrel (a falcon also known as a "sparrow hawk") or a red-tailed hawk.
More Information
For more information about either the wildlife rehabilitator exam or the apprentice falconer exam, please call 518-402-8985, send an e-mail to fwslu@gw.dec.state.ny.us or write to: Falconry, NYSDEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233.
