How to Get a Falconry License in Florida
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in Florida
Falconry in Florida is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) — Captive Wildlife Office, specifically the Captive Wildlife Office. To practice falconry legally in FL, you need a state falconry permit. A separate federal falconry permit is no longer issued to individual falconers — the state permit is the one that matters. The process involves passing a written exam, having your facilities inspected, and finding a licensed sponsor if you are applying as an apprentice.
Florida does not publish how many questions its falconry exam has. You need 80% or higher to pass it. Florida does not publish its permit fee. Florida does not publish a minimum mews size, so build to the federal standard and confirm before your inspection. Below is what you need to get started with falconry in Florida.
The southeastern United States combines lush forests, coastal plains, and piedmont terrain to create varied falconry opportunities throughout the region. Southeastern falconers pursue quarry ranging from cottontails and squirrels in hardwood forests to game birds along agricultural edges. The temperate climate supports a long hunting season, and the dense ground cover found in many southeastern habitats makes shortwing hawks like Cooper's Hawks particularly effective hunting partners.
More on falconry across the Southeast, including trapping seasons, terrain and the regional community.
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The Florida Falconers' Association
You cannot be licensed as an apprentice without a sponsor, and almost everyone finds theirs through the state club. Meets, field days and introductions to general and master falconers all run through Florida Falconers' Association. Of everything on this page, this is the link worth following first.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in Florida is handled through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) — Captive Wildlife Office. Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The Florida falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% to pass. Florida does not publish the number of questions on its falconry exam. Confirm the format with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) — Captive Wildlife Office when you book it. Contact nearest FWC Regional Office to schedule exam appointment
- •https://myfwc.com/license/captive-wildlife/falconry/
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
Florida does not publish its falconry permit fee in any document we could find, so ask the agency before you apply. Terms vary by state — some annual, some three or five years — so confirm yours with the agency. This is separate from the state hunting licence you will also need.
🏠 Facility Requirements
Your facilities must pass inspection before Florida issues a licence. Florida sets no minimum mews floor area in its regulations. The federal standards under 50 CFR 21.82 apply: the enclosure must protect the bird from predators and weather and let it fully extend its wings. A separate weathering area is required where your bird can sun and bathe outdoors. Your facilities must pass a wildlife officer inspection before you can be licensed. Requirements in Rule 68A-9.005, F.A.C. Nearest Investigator conducts on-site inspection.
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in Florida
- The commitment is stated in hours, not just years
- Florida's own wording is that an apprentice must find a sponsor willing to take them on "for two consecutive years and several thousand hours of documented mentoring". Few states put a number on what the apprenticeship actually costs the pair of you.
- Applications are online only
- Florida takes falconry permit applications through Go Outdoors Florida rather than on paper, and the written examination comes before any permit is issued.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in Florida
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in Florida the state club is where those introductions happen. Sponsors tend to say yes to people who have already started studying and who turn up more than once.
The ask itself is covered in our guide to finding a falconry sponsor.
How to Become a Falconer in Florida
Want to get into falconry in Florida? Here is the recommended path to your license:
- 1Study for the exam — Use our exam prep guide and the study materials listed above.
- 2Find a sponsor — Connect with local falconers — see our guide to finding a sponsor.
- 3Build your facilities — Review mews construction requirements before starting.
- 4Serve your apprenticeship — Plan on at least two years flying one bird under your sponsor — our falconry apprenticeship guide covers what those years involve.
- 5Follow the complete path — See our step-by-step path to becoming a falconer for the full timeline.
- 6Know the license classes — Understand the three license classes and how you will progress from apprentice to general to master.
- 7Budget for equipment — Beyond the mews, work through the falconry equipment list, which prices each item you will need for your first season.
- 8Know the federal rules — Every state’s rules sit on the same federal framework — our guide to federal falconry regulations covers license classes, reporting and moving between states.
This page is a summary for general information, not legal advice. Falconry regulations change, and the authoritative source is always the state agency. Confirm anything you plan to act on with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) — Captive Wildlife Office on (850) 488-6253. Last checked 2026-08-21.