Falconry Exam Preparation
The written exam is your gateway to falconry. Pass it, and you’re one major step closer to your license. Here’s how to prepare.
The falconry exam serves a dual purpose that goes beyond gatekeeping. It ensures that anyone who handles a wild raptor possesses the foundational knowledge to keep that bird healthy, well-housed, and legally documented. The topics covered on the exam directly correspond to real situations you will encounter as a falconer, from recognizing the early signs of aspergillosis to understanding when trapping season opens in your state. Treating the exam as genuine preparation rather than a hurdle to clear will make you a significantly better falconer from day one.
Exam Overview
Most states use a standardized exam based on federal guidelines:
- Questions: Typically 100 multiple-choice questions
- Passing score: Usually 80% (80 correct answers)
- Time limit: Usually 2-3 hours (plenty of time)
- Format: In-person at wildlife office, or online (state dependent)
Good News
If you’ve genuinely studied and understand the material, the exam is passable. It’s not designed to trick you—it tests whether you have the knowledge to safely keep a raptor. Take it seriously, but don’t panic.
Topics Covered
The exam covers a wide range of falconry knowledge:
Regulations
- Federal falconry regulations
- Permit classes and requirements
- Record-keeping requirements
- Species restrictions
Raptor Biology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Species identification
- Natural history and behavior
- Molt and feather care
Husbandry
- Proper nutrition and diet
- Facility requirements
- Equipment (furniture)
- Daily care routines
Training & Hunting
- Manning and conditioning
- Weight management
- Training progression
- Hunting with raptors
Health & Disease
- Common diseases
- Signs of illness
- Basic first aid
- When to seek veterinary help
Capture & Release
- Trapping methods
- Legal trapping seasons
- Handling wild raptors
- Release requirements
Study Resources
Primary Resources
- California Hawking Club Study Guide: Free, comprehensive, and used by many states as exam basis. Start here.
- "The Falconer’s Apprentice" by William Oakes: The definitive beginner’s book. Highly recommended.
- Your state’s regulations: Know them cold. Questions specific to your state may appear.
Supplementary Resources
- State falconry club materials: Many clubs have study guides specific to your state’s exam.
- Online practice tests: Several websites offer practice questions similar to actual exams.
- Your sponsor: They’ve passed the test and can guide your study.
Study Strategy
1. Read Broadly First
Read through the California Hawking Club study guide and "The Falconer’s Apprentice" to get a general understanding. Don’t try to memorize—just absorb the concepts.
2. Focus on Weak Areas
Take a practice test to identify where you need work. Most people struggle with regulations (numbers, dates) and disease identification. Spend extra time on your weak spots.
3. Know the Regulations
Regulations questions are often the most missed. Know permit classes, species restrictions, facility requirements, and record-keeping rules. These are specific facts that require memorization.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
Take multiple practice tests. Get comfortable with the question format. Review missed questions until you understand why the correct answer is correct.
Study Timeline
Most people need 1-3 months of study, depending on prior knowledge and study intensity. A suggested timeline:
Exam Day Tips
- Arrive early: Don’t add stress by rushing
- Read carefully: Many wrong answers come from misreading
- Don’t overthink: Your first instinct is usually right
- Flag and return: If unsure, mark it and come back
- Use all your time: Review your answers before submitting
learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.heading
learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.calloutHeading
- learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.underestimatingRegulations learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.underestimatingRegulationsValue
- learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.relyingOnOneSource learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.relyingOnOneSourceValue
- learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.notTakingPracticeTests learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.notTakingPracticeTestsValue
- learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.cramming learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakes.crammingValue
If You Don’t Pass
It happens. Most states allow you to retake the exam after a waiting period (typically 2-4 weeks). Use the time to:
- Review the topics you struggled with
- Ask your sponsor for help with specific areas
- Take more practice tests
- Don’t be embarrassed—many successful falconers didn’t pass first try
Create a structured study schedule rather than approaching materials randomly. Begin with the California Hawking Club study guide for broad coverage, then layer in your state's specific regulations. Use flashcards for memorizing numerical requirements like permit durations, bird limits, and reporting deadlines. Join online falconry forums where aspiring falconers share study tips and practice questions. Most importantly, connect with your future sponsor early in the process. An experienced falconer can identify gaps in your knowledge and help you focus on the areas where the exam is most demanding.
You’ve Got This
The exam is challenging but passable with proper preparation. The knowledge you gain isn’t just for the test—it’s for keeping your future hawk healthy and legal. Study well, and you’ll be ready.
learnLicensing.examPrep.practicalStepsTitle
Begin your exam preparation at least three months before your planned test date. Order the California Hawking Club study materials and your state’s specific falconry regulations as your primary resources. Create a study schedule that covers one topic area per week: raptor biology, training methods, equipment identification, legal regulations, and health and disease. Take practice tests when available from your state wildlife agency or falconry club. Study with other aspiring falconers if possible, as discussing concepts helps cement understanding. Schedule your exam only when you consistently score above 90 percent on practice materials, not just the 80 percent minimum passing score.
learnLicensing.examPrep.commonMistakesTitle
The most frequent exam preparation mistake is focusing too heavily on training techniques while neglecting regulatory knowledge. State and federal regulations typically account for 30 to 40 percent of exam questions, and these are the questions where precise knowledge matters most. Another common error is studying only general falconry materials without reviewing your specific state’s regulations, which may differ from federal standards on issues like species allowed, trapping seasons, and facility dimensions. Finally, do not underestimate the biology sections. Understanding raptor anatomy, feather structure, and common diseases is essential knowledge that the exam tests thoroughly.
learnLicensing.examPrep.faqTitle
Most state falconry exams consist of 100 to 150 multiple-choice questions drawn from a large question bank, so the specific questions vary between test sessions. The passing score is typically 80 percent, though some states set higher thresholds. Test topics include federal and state regulations, raptor biology and identification, training methods and equipment, raptor health and disease, and ethical considerations in falconry practice. Most states allow unlimited retakes after a waiting period of 30 to 90 days, though repeated failures may trigger additional study requirements in some jurisdictions. Contact your state wildlife agency for specific test scheduling procedures, fees, and format details.