How to Get a Falconry License in Washington
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in Washington
Falconry in Washington is regulated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), specifically the WDFW. To practice falconry legally in WA, 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.
Washington's falconry exam consists of 178 questions, and you need 80% or higher to pass. There is no state fee for the permit itself. Washington 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 Washington.
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.
Start here
The Washington Falconer’s 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 Washington Falconer’s Association. Of everything on this page, this is the link worth following first.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in Washington is handled through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The Washington falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% on the 178-question paper. After application approval, contact nearest WDFW office for exam appointment. 90 minutes allowed. Seven categories: Birds of falconry, Physical characteristics, Raptor behavior, Equipment/facilities, Training/hunting, Health/nutrition/maintenance, Law/Regulations.
- •WAC 220-420 - Washington Falconry Regulations
- •Federal falconry regulations (50 CFR 21)
- •Raptor biology, care, taxonomy, medicine, equipment
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
Washington charges no fee for a falconry 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 Washington issues a licence. Washington 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. Your facilities must pass a wildlife officer inspection before you can be licensed. Inspection arranged through WDFW. Representative from Washington Falconers Association, WDFW enforcement officer, or wildlife biologist will conduct inspection.
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🦅 Species Notes
Washington sets its own rules on which raptors may be flown. Federal rules already limit apprentices to red-tailed hawks and American kestrels; the restrictions below are what Washington adds on top.
- ⚠️Eagles require Master Falconer class with special permission
Species profiles are in our falconry species guide.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in Washington
- You can apply at twelve, but a parent carries the liability
- An applicant for a Washington apprentice permit must be at least twelve. Where the applicant is a minor, a parent or legal guardian signs the application and is legally responsible for the apprentice falconer's activities — the responsibility is named in the rule, not implied.
- Facilities are approved before you get the bird
- Raptor facilities must be approved by the department before a new falconry permittee obtains a raptor, and a resident falconer must maintain approved housing for birds used in recreational falconry or in abatement.
Sources
- WAC 220-420-070 — Apprentice falconer classes of permit and permitted raptors
- WAC 220-420-280 — Falconry facilities
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-04.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in Washington
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in Washington 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 Washington
Want to get into falconry in Washington? 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 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on 360-902-2200. Last checked 2026-08-21.