Pet Owners
Permit Options
Permit Information:
- Duration: 1 year
- Cost: Free
- Activities covered:
- Requirements
Permit Application:
- Fill out the Possession of Prohibited species for Personal Use Application
- If submitting a permit for Prohibited species for Personal Use, then you must complete and sign a Critical Incident Disaster Plan (CIDP) Part A. Keep Part B on hand at your facility.
- Email completed forms to NonnativePermitApps@MyFWC.com or by mail to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Impact Management Section, 620 South Meridian Street, Florida 32399-1600
Additional Information:
- For more information on Red Eared Sliders as pets, please visit our Red Eared Sliders as Pets page.
If you need to rehome a Prohibited Species, please contact FWC's Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rule changes for Prohibited species became effective: April 29, 2021
The 90-day grace period to apply for a permit, upgrade indoor caging, and have any qualifying animals PIT tagged ended: July 28, 2021
The 180-day grace period to upgrade outdoor caging requirements for Prohibited reptile species ended: October 26, 2021
Persons or businesses in possession of the recently listed Prohibited reptiles for commercial sale use had until July 28, 2021 to liquidate their inventory in Florida. These species may not be possessed for commercial sale purposes in Florida after July 28, 2021, except green iguanas or tegus possessed by qualifying entities under a limited exception commercial use permit.
Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
Permit applications were accepted until the end of the grace period, which ended July 28, 2021. Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
No person may keep for personal use a Prohibited animal; however limited exceptions may apply to people who had these animals as pets prior to their listing as Prohibited.
Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
No-cost pet permits were only issued to people who had Prohibited Species prior to April 29, 2021. These permits authorize pet owners to keep their pet for the life of the animals, but they cannot acquire new pets of these species.
Owners may take their pets to a veterinarian of their choice to have their animals PIT tagged at regular cost for veterinary services.
If an individual is in possession of a Prohibited species without a permit after the 90-day grace period that ended on July 28th, 2021, the individual is in violation of Rule. Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
If you have one of these animals as a pet, you had until July 28, 2021 to obtain a free Prohibited species for personal use permit and permanently mark the animal with a PIT tag. Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
If you are a public exhibitor, you must apply for a free Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit (CSP) for public educational exhibition. If you already have a current CSP, then you can submit a request to have it amended.
If you are a researcher, you must apply for a free CSP for research use. If you already have a current CSP, then you can submit a request to have it amended.
If you are an entity engaged in eradication or control work, you must apply for a free CSP for eradication and control use.
If you possess green iguanas and/or tegus for commercial sale and qualify for a permit to continue that activity under the limited exception in Rule 68-5.007, F.A.C., you must apply for a free CSP for commercial sale of green iguanas or tegus. Permits are only issued to facilities meeting the requirements of Rule 68-5.007, F.A.C. Completed applications or requests for permit amendments may be submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Impact Management Section via email to NonnativePermitApps@MyFWC.com or by mail to 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
FWC personnel may conduct scheduled or unannounced inspections of the location where the animal(s) is being held. Inspections may occur before or after a permit is issued.
We have additional information and FAQ pages set up for the following topics: