Taxidermy License Requirements by State 2026 | WildNotch.com
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Taxidermy License -
All 50 States

Every state requires commercial taxidermists to hold a valid license. Find your state's requirements, fees, exam details, apprenticeship rules, and official application links - all in one place. Annual fees range from $25 to $200 nationwide.

All 50 States Covered Official Agency Links Exam & Apprenticeship Info
50States Covered
1Require Exam
0Require Apprenticeship
Official agency links
Annual & biennial fees
Exam requirements
Apprenticeship rules
Bond requirements
Why License?

What a Taxidermy License Covers

Commercial Authorization
A taxidermy license authorizes you to accept, possess, and return legally taken wildlife for the purpose of mounting, preserving, or otherwise preparing specimens for clients in exchange for payment.
Wildlife Protection
Licensing ensures that only legally taken wildlife enters the taxidermy chain. Licensed taxidermists must maintain records of all specimens, protecting against illegal take and trafficking of protected species.
Recordkeeping Required
Most states require licensed taxidermists to maintain detailed records including client name, species, date received, and tag number. Records may be inspected by wildlife officers at any time without notice.
Annual Renewal
Most states require annual or biennial renewal of taxidermy licenses. Operating without a current license is a wildlife violation that can result in significant fines and loss of licensing privileges.
Filter by region:
50 states
50 states shown
AL
Alabama
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
AK
Alaska
Annual $100.00
License requirements Apply online
AZ
Arizona
Annual $25.00
License requirements Apply online
AR
Arkansas
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
CA
California
Annual $146.00
Exam Required
License requirements Apply online
CO
Colorado
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
CT
Connecticut
Annual $40.00
License requirements Apply online
DE
Delaware
Annual $30.00
License requirements Apply online
FL
Florida
Annual $100.00
License requirements Apply online
GA
Georgia
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
HI
Hawaii
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
ID
Idaho
Annual $60.00
License requirements Apply online
IL
Illinois
Annual $75.00
License requirements Apply online
IN
Indiana
Annual $25.00
License requirements Apply online
IA
Iowa
Annual $45.00
License requirements Apply online
KS
Kansas
Annual $40.00
License requirements Apply online
KY
Kentucky
Annual $40.00
License requirements Apply online
LA
Louisiana
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
ME
Maine
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
MD
Maryland
Annual $60.00
License requirements Apply online
MA
Massachusetts
Annual $60.00
License requirements Apply online
MI
Michigan
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
MN
Minnesota
Annual $75.00
License requirements Apply online
MS
Mississippi
Annual $25.00
License requirements Apply online
MO
Missouri
Annual $25.00
License requirements Apply online
MT
Montana
Annual $75.00
License requirements Apply online
NE
Nebraska
Annual $40.00
License requirements Apply online
NV
Nevada
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
NH
New Hampshire
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
NJ
New Jersey
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
NM
New Mexico
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
NY
New York
Annual $45.00
License requirements Apply online
NC
North Carolina
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
ND
North Dakota
Annual $35.00
License requirements Apply online
OH
Ohio
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
OK
Oklahoma
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
OR
Oregon
Annual $60.00
License requirements Apply online
PA
Pennsylvania
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
RI
Rhode Island
Annual $35.00
License requirements Apply online
SC
South Carolina
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
SD
South Dakota
Annual $35.00
License requirements Apply online
TN
Tennessee
Annual $51.00
License requirements Apply online
TX
Texas
Annual $63.00
License requirements Apply online
UT
Utah
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
VT
Vermont
Annual $40.00
License requirements Apply online
VA
Virginia
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
WA
Washington
Annual $75.00
License requirements Apply online
WV
West Virginia
Annual $50.00
License requirements Apply online
WI
Wisconsin
Annual $42.00
License requirements Apply online
WY
Wyoming
Annual $75.00
License requirements Apply online
FAQ

Common Taxidermy License Questions

In most states, hobbyist taxidermy - mounting your own legally taken wildlife without charging clients - does not require a commercial taxidermy license. However, you still must possess valid hunting or fishing licenses for the species involved, and you may not sell or trade the mounted specimens without a commercial license. A few states require permits for any possession of certain protected species.
A state taxidermy license generally covers legally harvested game animals, fish, and birds. Working on federally protected migratory birds requires a separate federal permit (US Fish & Wildlife Service Special Purpose – Taxidermist). Endangered or threatened species require additional federal authorization. Most state licenses specifically exclude federally protected species from their scope.
Processing times vary by state. Simple application-and-fee states typically issue licenses within 2–4 weeks. States requiring an exam may add 4–8 weeks for scheduling. States with apprenticeship requirements may take 1–2 years before a full license is issued. Start the process well before you plan to open your taxidermy business.
Most states require licensed taxidermists to maintain a logbook recording each specimen accepted, including: client name and address, species, date received, applicable tag or kill report number, and date returned or disposition. These records must typically be kept for 2–5 years and are subject to inspection by wildlife officers. Failure to maintain proper records can result in license suspension.
Buying and selling legally obtained mounted wildlife is legal in most states for game species, but regulations vary significantly. Many protected non-game species, migratory birds, and all eagles and hawks are regulated under federal law. A taxidermy license does not automatically authorize buying and reselling specimens - a separate fur buyer or wildlife dealer license may be required. Always verify current rules with your state wildlife agency.
Operating a commercial taxidermy business without a valid state license is a wildlife violation. Penalties typically include fines ranging from $200 to $5,000, potential criminal charges for repeat offenses, confiscation of specimens in your possession, and a prohibition on obtaining future wildlife-related licenses. Wildlife officers may conduct surprise inspections of licensed taxidermists, making compliance essential.