How to Get a Falconry License in South Carolina
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in South Carolina
Falconry in South Carolina is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), specifically the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. To practice falconry legally in SC, 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.
South Carolina 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 $100. South Carolina 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 South Carolina.
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 South Carolina Falconry 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 South Carolina Falconry Association. Of everything on this page, this is the link worth following first.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in South Carolina is handled through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The South Carolina falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% to pass. South Carolina does not publish the number of questions on its falconry exam. Confirm the format with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) when you book it. Contact SCDNR Wildlife Section for exam scheduling
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
A new apprentice in South Carolina pays $100 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 South Carolina issues a licence. South Carolina 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 - 8x8 ft minimum mews per bird
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in South Carolina
- There is a second age gate at the general class
- South Carolina sets a minimum age of 12 for the apprentice class and a separate minimum of 16 for the general class, alongside the usual two years of apprentice experience. Most states set an age only at the entry point.
- Master is five years at general, not five years total
- The master class requires at least five years of experience in the practice of falconry at the general class level or its equivalent — the clock starts when you reach general, not when you started.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in South Carolina
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Want to get into falconry in South Carolina? 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 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) on 803-734-3887. Last checked 2026-08-21.