How to Get a Falconry License in Nevada
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in Nevada
Falconry in Nevada is regulated by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), specifically the NDOW. To practice falconry legally in NV, 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.
Nevada does not publish how many questions its falconry exam has. You need 80% or higher to pass it. Up-front fees for an apprentice come to $38. Nevada 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 Nevada.
The western United States offers some of the most diverse falconry terrain in the country, from open sagebrush flats ideal for longwing flights to mountainous forests suited to shortwing pursuits. Western falconers commonly hunt jackrabbits, cottontails, and upland game birds across vast public lands. The arid climate and wide-open spaces make the West a premier destination for falconers who prefer long, dramatic flights with falcons and buteos alike.
More on falconry across the West, including trapping seasons, terrain and the regional community.
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The Nevada Falconry
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 Nevada Falconry. Of everything on this page, this is the link worth following first.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in Nevada is handled through the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The Nevada falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% to pass. Nevada does not publish the number of questions on its falconry exam. Confirm the format with Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) when you book it. Contact NDOW for exam scheduling
- •Federal falconry regulations (50 CFR 21)
- •Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 503
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
A new apprentice in Nevada pays $38 up front, covering the permit. 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.
Source: agency documentChecked September 13, 2026.
🏠 Facility Requirements
Your facilities must pass inspection before Nevada issues a licence. Nevada 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. Federal minimum standards apply
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in Nevada
- An accidental catch out of season stays where it falls
- A game species taken incidentally by your raptor during the closed season may not be retained or possessed by the licensee. The same applies to any species listed as threatened or endangered federally.
- A wildlife conviction can cost you the licence
- Nevada may deny issue or renewal of any class of falconry licence or permit where the applicant has been convicted of a violation of the state's wildlife regulations, and must give written reasons for any denial.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-04.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in Nevada
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in Nevada 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 Nevada
Want to get into falconry in Nevada? 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 Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) on 775-688-1405 (falconry exam/inspection scheduling, NDOW headquarters); NDOW headquarters main line is (775) 688-1500. Last checked 2026-08-21.