The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife Program issues a variety of permits pertaining to exotic and nongame wildlife species. Below are application forms for the initial permit and for subsequent renewal permits.

• Exotic and Nongame Species Permit FAQs
• Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Species Regulations, N.J.A.C.
• Exotic and Nongame Species Requiring a Permit for Possession
• Exotic and Nongame Species Exempted from Required Possession Permit
• Restricted Species – Potentially Dangerous Species and Endangered Species
• For more information on Potentially Dangerous Species, please visit this page.
• USDA-APHIS Animal Care Permit Requirements Information

• Notice Regarding Possession/Importation of Live Cervids

Permit Renewal Information

All Exotic and Nongame permits expire December 31 of the year issued (unless otherwise noted). Annual Renewal – Report Form Applications must be received by January 31. If not received by January 31 permit holders will be subject to penalties and fines.

All fees must be submitted with the hard copy application.

IF SUBMITTING YOUR RENEWAL VIA E-MAIL OR FAX, YOUR APPLICATION FEE PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ORDER TO PROCESS. NJ Fish and Wildlife, at this time, does not provide payment by credit card services. NO PERMIT FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

It is imperative that your most recently issued permit information is on the application. You must also include your name, company or institution name, and your complete mailing address. This information must be provided or your application process will be delayed. If you have a Pet Shop – Retail Sales or Animal Dealer – Wholesale Sales Permit with a [TEMP] please also indicate that information on your annual renewal – report application.

Permit Category abbreviations are as follows:

PS = Pet Shop – Retail Sales	AD = Animal Dealer – Wholesale Sales
SH = Scientific Holding	ES = Endangered Species
EX = Animal Exhibitor	TH = Animal Theatrical Agency
ZO = Zoological Holding	SC = Scientific Collecting
DC = Depredation Control	SB = Migratory [nongame] Bird Salvage
SW = Nongame Wildlife [other than migratory birds] Salvage

Note: A Scientific Collecting Permit is required to handle or attempt to handle native wildlife for the purpose of surveys, sampling, tagging, or species identification. A Salvage Permit is required to possess native, wild animals found dead. For nongame species, a Depredation Control Permit is required to remove native bird nests. A federal permit is also required to remove active native bird nests.

Click here to view contacts for specific Scientific Collecting and Salvage Permits.

It is your responsibility to renew your permit(s) prior to January 31. If you have any questions regarding your exotic and nongame permits, email NJWildlifePermits@njdepwptest.net 

For questions regarding your Individual Hobby permit (pets only), call 609-292-9591 or email NJWildlifePermits@njdepwptest.net.

Exotic and Exotic Individual Hobby Permit

The Exotic and Nongame Individual Hobby permit is issued for the possession of regulated exotic and nongame wildlife for pets or for hobby purposes. The permit fee is $10.00, or $20.00 for permits that include birds. Please note that the fee is per permit, not per animal.

A permit is not required for the following:
Birds: budgerigar (budgie), cockatiel, canary, zebra finch, society finch, peafowl, domestic birds (chickens, domestic ducks/geese, etc.)
Mammals: Syrian/golden hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, domestic rabbit, pot-bellied pigs, miniature pigs, pygmy goats, mice and rats, llama, alpaca
Reptiles: American anole, common iguana, boa constrictor (Constrictor constrictor), tokay gecko
Invertebrates (tarantulas, scorpions, etc.)
Fish

The following may not be kept as pets or for hobby purposes  for any reason:
Quaker (monk) parrot, wallaby, wild Canids, wild Felids, primates, venomous snakes, alligators. See regulations for more information.

• Exotic and Nongame Individual Hobby Permit Initial Application (for pets) *
• Exotic and Nongame Individual Hobby Permit Renewal Application (for pets) *

Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Permit Renewal Application Forms

• Animal Dealer – Wholesale Sales Permit Renewal Application
• Animal Exhibitor Permit Renewal Application
• Animal Theatrical Agency Permit Renewal Application
• Bird Breeder Permit Renewal Application
• Depredation Control Permit Renewal Application
• Endangered Species Permit Renewal Application
• Pet Shop – Retail Sales Permit Renewal Application
• Salvage Nongame Wildlife Permit Renewal Application
• Scientific Collecting Permit Renewal Application
• Scientific Holding Permit Renewal Application
• Zoological Holding Permit Renewal Application

Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Permit Initial Application Forms

• Animal Dealer – Wholesale Sales Permit Initial Application
• Animal Exhibitor Permit Initial Application
• Animal Theatrical Agency Permit Initial Application
• Depredation Control Permit Initial Application
• Endangered Species Permit Initial Application
• Pet Shop – Retail Sales Permit Initial Application
• Salvage Nongame Wildlife Permit Initial Application
• Scientific Collecting Permit Initial Application
• Scientific Holding Permit Initial Application
• Zoological Holding Permit Initial Application

* If you have lost your Individual Hobby Permit Renewal Form, please email NJWildlifePermits@njdepwptest.net for another copy. Alternatively, you may send us a copy of your last year’s permit along with the correct permit fee and indicate the status and number of each species. If there are any changes, please correct them on the copy of your last year’s permit. If you have any questions, please call 609-292-9591.