DEC announces 2025 exam dates for select licenses

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the 2025 exam dates for the licensed guide program and other select licenses. These examinations will be offered online for free:

• New York State Licensed Guide: camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater, rock climbing and ice climbing 
• Falconry License 
• Wildlife Rehabilitator License 
• Leashed Tracking Log License 

New York State Licensed Guide Exams 

A guide is a person offering services for hire, including directing, instructing or aiding someone in camping, fishing, hiking, hunting and more. Guides must be at least 18 years old. Applicants are not required to be a New York State resident to receive a guide license. 

• Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes Feb. 5 
• March 1, New York State Outdoor Guides Association (NYSOGA) meeting only — registration closes Feb. 21 
• May 9, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes May 7 
• June 6, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes June 4 
• July 11, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes July 9 
• Sept. 12, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes Sept. 10 

All exams will be online, except for the in-person exam offered on March 1 at the NYSOGA meeting. To register for the exam, or to find study materials, visit the DEC Licensed Guide Program webpage. 

Apprentice Falconry License Exams 

• April 11, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes April 9 
• Aug. 8, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes Aug. 6 

Due to the significant commitment of time and effort required for falconry, apprentices are limited to possessing one bird: either an American kestrel or a red-tailed hawk. To qualify for the Apprentice Falconry License, applicants must: 

• Score 80 percent or higher on the written exam; 
• Be at least 14 years of age; 
• Possess a valid New York State hunting license; 
• Maintain DEC-approved facilities for housing falconry raptors; and 
• Be a resident of New York State 

The exams are free and a five-year falconry license costs $40. Registration for the August exam will open the week after the April exam. To register for the exam, or to find study materials, visit the DEC Falconry License webpage. 

Wildlife Rehabilitator License Exam 

• April 11, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes April 9 
• Aug. 8, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes Aug. 6 

Wildlife rehabilitators provide care to injured, sick and orphaned wild animals to return them to the wild once rehabilitated. Prospective applicants are encouraged to build experience by first serving as an assistant to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. To qualify for the Wildlife Rehabilitator License, applicants must: 

• Score 80 percent or higher on the written exam; 
• Be at least 16 years of age; 
• Be interviewed by DEC Regional wildlife staff; and 
• Be a resident of New York State 

The exams are free and there is no cost for the five-year rehabilitation license. Registration for the August exam will open the week after the April exam. To register, or to find study manuals, visit the DEC Wildlife Rehabilitator License webpage. 

Leashed Tracking Dog License 

• April 11, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes April 9 
• Aug. 8, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Registration closes Aug. 6 

Leashed tracking dog handlers aid hunters in finding wounded big game that might otherwise go unrecovered. To qualify for a Leashed Tracking Dog License, applicants must: 

• Score 80 percent or higher on the written exam; and 
• Possess a valid New York State hunting license 

The exam is free and the five-year leashed tracking dog license costs $50. There is also a $25 non-refundable fee for first-time applicants. To register for an exam, or find study materials, visit the DEC Leashed Tracking Dog License webpage.