Amphibian and Reptile Possession Permit

An Amphibian and Reptile Possession permit is required for the possession, importation, transportation, purchase and sale of 25 or more individuals of any combination of native amphibians and/or five or more individuals of any combination of native reptiles.

An Amphibian and Reptile Possession for Rehabilitation permit authorizes the possession of injured, crippled, or orphaned, native reptiles and/or amphibians, for the purpose of providing short term care and eventual release back into the animal's natural habitat.

Permit Restrictions, Rules and Conditions

It is unlawful for any individual to import, transport, export, purchase, possess, or sell any species of Tongueless or African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus spp.), Brown Anoles (Anolis sagrei), Cuban Tree Frogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis), Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), Asian Newts (Cynops, Pachytriton, Paramesotriton, Laotriton, Tylititriton), Argentine Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae or Tupinambis merianae), Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactlyus planirostris) unless the individual has a Restricted Species Permit authorizing such activity issued by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Amphibian and Reptile Possession:

An Amphibian and Reptile Possession permit does not authorize the collection of any wildlife resources from the wild. If you wish to collect native amphibians or reptiles, you must apply for a Wildlife Collection License.

Individuals may collect and hold no more than 4 individuals of native reptile species or 24 individuals of any combination of amphibian species for personal use per person per calendar year.

An Amphibian and Reptile Possession permit will not be issued for: 

      (1) holding reptiles and amphibians that were acquired unlawfully;

      (2) holding reptiles and amphibians for unlawful sale or trade;

      (3) individuals collecting snapping turtles under the collection license set forth in 15A NCAC 10B.0119;

      (4) collection of native reptiles and amphibians from the wild;

      (5) individuals in violation of the requirements of a collection license, as set forth in 15A NCAC 10B .0119, an endangered species permit, as set forth in 15A NCAC 10I .0100, or a possession permit as set forth in this Section; or

      (6) individuals who do not first obtain possession permits prior to acquiring the following wildlife resources in Paragraph (a) of rule 15A NCAC 10H .1302.       

Each individual who obtains An Amphibian and Reptile Possession permit must submit an Amphibian and Reptile Possession Report Form, listing all specimens possessed, post-marked within 15 days following the expiration of the permit as instructed in 15A NCAC 10H .1302 (e).

Amphibian and Reptile Possession - Rehabilitation:

This permit does not authorize holding any reptiles and amphibians other than those animals in the process of being rehabilitated for release. Reptiles or amphibians held under the authority of this permit are authorized to be held for rehabilitation purposes only and may not be held as pets or for education, exhibition, or scientific purposes.

Rehabilitation activities authorized under this permit shall be conducted at the authorized location designated on the permit. The licensee shall meet the minimum standards outlined in 15A NCAC 10H .1402(g)(1).

Reptiles and amphibians undergoing rehabilitation may remain in a rehabilitation facility for no longer than 12 months. If a longer rehabilitation period is needed, the permit holder shall notify the Commission in writing.  
Wild reptiles and amphibians shall not be released on property owned by another unless the rehabilitator has written permission dated within the last 12 months from the landowner.

Individuals applying for both Amphibian and Reptile Possession and Rehabilitation must apply for both.

Permits are issued to a single individual at least 18 years of age or older.

Amphibian and Reptile Possession permits are valid from January 1 through December 31 of each year.

Amphibian and Reptile Possession Rules:

How to Obtain a Permit
 

Complete an online application at Go Outdoors North Carolina.  Once your online application has been submitted, the appropriate staff will review the application. If your application is approved, you will receive an approval email with a link to purchase the permit. You must purchase the approved permit within 30 days of approval. This permit has a $12.00 permit fee plus a $5.00 transaction fee payable by a Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit card. All permit fees are non-refundable.

• Holding reptiles and amphibians that were acquired unlawfully
• Holding reptiles and amphibians for unlawful sale or trade
• Collection of five or more individual native turtles from the families Emydidae or Trionychidae from the wild in a given year except those exempted in 15A NCAC 10H .1301 (c)

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