Scientific Collecting Permits

Overview

woman pointing at something in tide pool

Apply or Manage Your Permit
Scientific Collecting Permit Portal

Fish and Game Code (FGC) sections 1002, 1002.5 and 1003 authorize CDFW to issue permits for the take or possession of wildlife, including mammals, birds and the nests and eggs thereof, reptiles, amphibians, fish, certain plants and invertebrates for scientific, educational, and propagation purposes. The Department currently implements this authority through Section 650, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR), by issuing Scientific Collecting Permits (SCP) to take or possess wildlife for such purposes.

Regulations

Scientific Collecting Permit Regulations Effective October 1, 2018

On May 1, 2018, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the regulatory changes affecting for Scientific Collecting Permits (SCPs)(OAL regulatory file 2018-0320-05S) for sections 650 and 703, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR). Refer to Departmental Rulemaking: Scientific Collecting Permits for the full rulemaking file.

Regulatory Language

Summary of Regulatory and Operational Changes Affecting SCPs (PDF) - table comparison of "new vs. old" regulations and procedures

Phased Implementation

As noted under subsection (a)(7) of Section 650, Title 14, CCR, there will be overlap of SCPs issued from previous years with SCPs issued under the regulations effective October 1, 2018, as described below.

"Legacy" SCPs are those that were issued on or prior to September 30, 2018, as well as permits issued after October 1, 2018 under the old (“legacy”) SCP database, when the Department received the respective application on, or prior to, September 30, 2018. A "Legacy" SCP will continue to be honored after October 1, 2018, and will remain valid until the expiration date listed on it. Refer to the "Application" tab for information on how to amend a Legacy SCP.

"New" SCPs are those that are issued after the October 1, 2018 effective date of the new regulations from the online Scientific Collecting Permit Portal (SCPP).

Forms

Form Type Format Form Name Form No.
Application Apply online via the SCP Portal General Use Application:
Inland Fisheries
Marine
Terrestrial Wildlife
DFW 1379GF
DFW 1379GM
DFW 1379GW
Amendment Apply online via the SCP Portal General Use Amendment:
Inland Fisheries
Marine
Terrestrial Wildlife
DFW 1379GFA
DFW 1379GMA
DFW 1379GWA
Application Apply online via the SCP Portal Specific Use Application DFW 1379S
Amendment Apply online via the SCP Portal Specific Use Amendment DFW 1379SA
Form Download, complete, and upload online Scientific Collecting – Mandatory Wildlife Report
(*note: this replaces the Report of Specimens Captured and Salvaged (RSCS) for ALL Permitholders)
DFW 1379a (Excel)
Form Existing Permitholders: download and complete PDF
SCPP Permitholders: Complete and submit online*
Scientific Collecting – Notification of Field Activity
(*note: this replaces the previous Notification of Intent to Collect for ALL Permitholders)
Instructions page
DFW 1379b (PDF)
Form Download, complete, and upload online (if required by permit conditions) Transfer of Possession – Chain of Custody
(New form -refer to Title 14, subsection 650(q), CCR)
DFW 1379c (PDF)
Form Ensure stays with final permit Scientific Collecting – Standard Conditions for all Permits DFW 1379d (PDF)

*Functionality still being beta-tested; please follow the procedures for the PDF until further instructions are posted. Thank you for your patience.

Application

Steps for Applying for a new SCP

The following steps outline how to apply for a SCP in the Scientific Collecting Permit Portal (SCPP) (you may also click "Apply Now" in the right panel).

Please refer to the Pre-Application Guide (PDF) on the permitholder type you might want to consider, and the type of SCP you might need (General or Specific). You may want to prepare the required qualifications documents ahead of time for entry into the SCPP.

Note: These steps apply to any Legacy permitholder whose Legacy permit is expired and who seeks to apply for a new SCP in the SCP Portal (following the new regulations and application procedures), AND for any new prospective SCP applicant.

Step 1: Create a Login ID How to create a Login ID for the SCPP (PDF)

Step 2: Initiate a Profile – follow the job aide / SCP Instructions for Individual profiles (PDF) | Entity profiles (PDF)

  • Obtain a SC ID (9 digits: SC-19XXXXXXX)

Step 3: Complete Profile

  • Select from one of Individual, Entity, Student permitholder types (pages 14-15 of the Pre-Application Guide (PDF))
  • upload required Qualifications documents

See the "General and Specific Use Application" and "Legacy SCP Amendment" information in the tabs below for how to proceed with one of these application types. You must have an approved and issued General and Specific Use SCP to request a General or Specific Use Amendment.

Application Review Timeframe

  • The Department will determine whether an application is complete within 40 calendar days from the date the application fee clears payment (subsection 650(e)(3), Title 14, CCR).
  • If the application is determined to be incomplete, the Department will notify the applicant in writing of any deficiencies in the application or information provided. The applicant shall provide any outstanding information or related documents to the department within 30 calendar days of the notification, or the application may be denied (subsection 650(e)(3)(A),Title 14, CCR).
  • When the application is determined to be complete, the Department will approve or deny the permit within 60 calendar days of that determination (subsection 650(e)(3)(B),Title 14, CCR).

Permitholder Types

Entity

In the SCPP, the Executive Signatory sets up the Entity profile, and authorizes Entity Administrators. The Entity Administrator may apply for SCPs on the Entity's behalf. The PI is responsible for all permitted activities and provides adequate supervision of all persons named on the the List of Authorized Individuals (LAI). The Principal Investigator (PI) must follow requirements pursuant to subsection (b)(19) of Section 650, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR).

Individual

A person applying as an Individual Permitholder shall serve as both the Permitholder and the PI. The PI must follow requirements pursuant to subsection (b)(19) of Section 650, Title 14, CCR. There is only a single PI allowed per General or Specific Use SCP.

Student

Only enrolled students may apply as Student Permitholders (for discounted Student fees).

link opens in new windowSummary of Individual and Entity Permitholder Roles (PDF) - useful guide to determine the roles of the PI, Executive Signatory, Entity Administrator, Authorized Individuals, and Field Assistants.

Required Qualifications Documents

The following information is required for all persons requested in the application to independently conduct permitted activities, conduct a portion of the permitted activities, or be named on the permit as an Authorized Individual (refer to Title 14, subsection 650(h) CCR):

  1. Statement of Qualifications (SOQ): A statement of qualifications that quantifies and describes experience with requested wildlife and/or similar wildlife. The statement of qualifications shall include approximate number of hours of focused activity in occupied habitat, as well as the approximate number of hours conducting the proposed activities, capture methods, and procedures for each requested wildlife species, wildlife taxonomic group, or similar wildlife taxon, locations and dates experience was obtained, and the name(s) of persons who provided training, any relevant survey, or hands-on training, or experience, and for Principal Investigators only, how responsibilities under subsection 650(b)(19) are met;
  2. Resume or curriculum vitae: A resume or curriculum vitae that describes the educational background and wildlife-related experience, including a list of any relevant publications; and
  3. References: Except for Student Permitholders, current contact information (indicated below) for two (2) references (for example, other Permitholders or experts) who can verify the applicant’s experience with requested wildlife.

Enter this information within the User Profile (during Step 3 of the "Steps for Applying for a New SCP.")

General & Specific Use Application

General & Specific Use Application

See preceding Steps 1-3 above. All General and Specific Use applications are to be completed and submitted within the link opens in new windowScientific Collecting Permit Portal (SCPP).

IMPORTANT: Before you can apply for a new SCP, you must complete your profile. If you close out of the Profile, and you’re looking for an instruction to start a "New General Use Permit Request" or "New Specific Use Permit Request,” but these options aren’t showing up in the same row as your profile, that will be because you haven’t completed required fields. This means filling in a mailing address, affiliation information, references, and qualifications attachments.

Step 4: Select a Permit Type

  • General or Specific Use SCP (pages 4-14 of the link opens in new windowPre-Application Guide (PDF))
    • List of Authorized Individuals (LAI) and Adequate Supervision

To double check that the Authorizations of a General Use permit (Inland Fisheries, Marine or Terrestrial Wildlife) meet your needs for take, you must read through the Authorizations linked to below to make sure the species and quantities covered work for your needs. In general, if you’re targeting a California Species of Special Concern or certain other taxonomic groups (“Prohibited Wildlife” as shown in each Authorization – e.g., certain federally listed species, bats, seagrasses, etc.), then you automatically need a Specific Use permit.

General & Specific Use Amendment

Amendments for the General Use follow the respective form for each review program (DFW 1379GFA, GMA or GWA).

Amendments for the Specific Use follows the respective form - DFW 1379SA.

Amendments are to be completed within the link opens in new windowScientific Collecting Permit Portal.

Legacy SCP Amendment

The Legacy Permit Amendment (LPA) application may only be used to request amendment or changes to your existing Legacy SCP. Legacy SCPs include issued permits for any applications submitted prior to the effective date of the new SCP regulations on October 1, 2018.

For applicants who have not already accessed the SCP Portal (created a User Login ID, and a Profile with a 9 digit SC-ID number), follow the below steps:

  1. Access the link opens in new windowSCP Portal
  2. Create a Login ID (email and password) – follow the link opens in new windowjob aide / SCP Instructions (PDF)
  3. Initiate a Profile – follow the job aide / SCP Instructions for link opens in new windowIndividual profiles(PDF) link opens in new windowEntity profiles (PDF)
    1. Obtain a new SC ID (9 digits: SC-19XXXXXXX)
  4. Complete your Profile
    1. Select the appropriate permitholder type (Individual, Entity, Student)
    2. upload required Qualifications documents
  5. Follow Steps 6-8 below.

If you already have a user Profile (with a 9 digit SC ID) within the SCP Portal, please navigate as follows:

  1. Navigate to your Dashboards link opens in new windowSCP Portal
  2. Click on “My Permits and Applications"
  3. Click on “Legacy Permit Amendments." If the link does not appear activated, then navigate to "My Profiles" and then navigate to "My Profiles" and click “Edit” at the bottom of the Profile, then click “Save.”
  4. Read the “link opens in new windowLegacy Permit Amendment Information
    1. Make sure to Complete only those section(s) of this amendment application for the change requested to your Legacy SCP (thus not all fields are required, unless applicable for your requested change(s)). Eligible changes include: the addition of Authorized Individuals on the permit’s List of Authorized Individuals, changing the PI, and requesting changes to Permit Information.
    2. Read the link opens in new windowjob aide/ Instructions for the Legacy Permit Amendment.

Information updated 3/7/2019

Reporting

Mandatory Wildlife Report

All SCP Permitholders (including “Legacy” SCPs that were issued using applications submitted prior to October 1, 2018) are now required to report using the new Mandatory Wildlife Report spreadsheet form (DFW 1379a) (Excel).

The Mandatory Wildlife Report (MWR) replaces the former Report of Specimens Captured and Salvaged (RSCS) form. But, the MWR form does not replace any other special reporting conditions in your permit.

Other Reports

Please continue to submit required annual reports, survey reports or other reporting information as outlined in your current SCP, including California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) data for rare taxa covered on the CDFW Special Animals List.

Where to Send Reports

For “Legacy” SCPs: please submit the MWR form and other reports to the appropriate SCP Coordinator (see below) and any other CDFW contact(s) named in the reporting conditions of your Legacy SCP.

If no contact person is listed in your Legacy SCP, send the MWR and any other required reports to SCPermits@wildlife.ca.gov.

For SCPs issued in the Online SCP Portal: please upload reports into “Section 1b – Reporting Requirements” of your approved permit, and submit the reports to the CDFW contact(s) named in the reporting conditions of your Specific Use SCP or General Use SCP.

SCP Fees

You may submit your SCP payment online or by mail. Fee payments submitted online through the CDFW Automated License Data System (ALDS), also referred to as the Online License Sales and Services portal, are generally processed within three to five business days and are subject to a 5% nonrefundable license agent handling fee. Payments submitted by mail may take up to 15 business days to process and are not subject to the 5% agent handling fee.

IMPORTANT! Do not submit your payment until you receive an email from the SCP portal verifying the amount you owe. The email you are provided will include the exact name of the item you should select and the amount to submit when making your payment. Incorrect payments will delay the processing of your application. Please see the colored diagram below to confirm you are selecting the correct item before finalizing your transaction online.

confirmation email excerpt from SCP Portal with directed license item to pay for, cross-checked to the correct license item in ALDS
(click to enlarge)

Reviews of SCP applications continues as usual as Department staff work remotely; the best way to contact us is by email at SCPermits@wildlife.ca.gov.

Payment Options

  • Online License Sales and Services: Online purchases may only be made with a credit or debit card displaying a Visa or Mastercard logo. You may only pay AFTER submission of a completed SCP application in the SCP Portal, AND receipt of an email confirmation with instructions on how to pay. Online payments generally take 3-5 business days to clear before an application is routed for review.
  • By mail: Please include your credit card information or check or money order payable to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Mail to the CDFW, Attn: License and Revenue Branch, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090. If you are paying by debit/credit card, fill out the Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF) and mail it to the address above. NOTE: Please allow 15 business days for mailed payments to be processed before an application is routed for review.

Renewal and New Application Fees for 2024

Fees shown in bold are the amounts to be paid via the Online License Sales and Service. Fees shown by [bracket] are the amounts to be paid by Check or Money Order following the above "Payment Options" (allow 15 business days for mailed payments to be cleared). Only a single PI is allowed per SCP.

Application and Permit Fees - To be submitted for both new and renewing SCPs
Name Type Application Fee Permit Fee
a. General Use – Application: Inland Fisheries (form DFW 1379GF); Marine (form DFW 1379GM); and Terrestrial Wildlife (form DFW 1379GW). Individual, Entity $61.82
[$58.97]
$255.96
[$244.11]
b. Scientific Collecting Permit, General Use – Application (Student). Use Application forms DFW 1379GW, GF and/or GM. Student $34.30
[$32.70]
$68.86
[$65.66]
c. Scientific Collecting Permit, Specific Use – Application (form DFW 1379S). Individual, Entity $99.10
[$94.50]
$368.95
[$351.75]
d. Scientific Collecting Permit, Specific Use – Application (Student). Use Application form DFW 1379S. Student $34.30
[$32.70]
$68.86
[$65.66]

Application request for SCP Amendment

Individual and Entity Permitholders – General Amendments may be requested for General Use level permits only. Specific Amendments may be requested for Specific Use level permits only.

The fee for a Legacy Permit Amendments (LPAs) is the same as the Specific Use Amendment listed below.

Amendment Fees
Title Permitholder Type Amendment Fee
a. General Use – Amendment: Inland Fisheries (form DFW 1379GFA); Marine (form DFW 1379GMA, New 09/01/17); Terrestrial Wildlife (form DFW 1379 GWA) Individual, Entity $84.24
[$80.34]
b. Specific Use – Amendment (form DFW 1379SA) Individual, Entity $123.38
[$117.68]
c. General or Specific Use Amendment – Student (use forms DFW 1379GFA, GMA, GWA and/or SA) Student $34.30
[$32.70]

Excerpt from Title 14, subsection 703(c)(PDF) (operative 10-1-2018). Fees shown include surcharges or fee adjustments pursuant to Fish and Game Code Sections 713 and 1055. Additional adjustments are made January of every year.

For assistance with payment of an application fee or permit fee, contact the LRB's Special Permits Unit by telephone at (916) 928-5846 or email at spu@wildlife.ca.gov.

Special Status Species

The SCP is currently implemented as the permitting mechanism for take that targets species belonging to the taxonomic groups listed in this regulatory proposal that are not listed as Candidate, Threatened, or Endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and that are not Fully Protected. However, the Department acknowledges that inadvertent take of co-occurring CESA-listed and/or Fully Protected species could potentially occur while conducting certain activities permitted under SCPs.

Terrestrial and Vernal Pool Invertebrates

Most terrestrial invertebrates that occur in non-aquatic terrestrial environments (i.e. above mean high tide of marine waters or aerial life stage of aquatic insects) are exempt from an SCP except:

Other Research Authorizations

Species protected under different designations below may be taken for scientific purposes, but not all may be taken for educational, non-commercial propagation, or management purposes. This is determined by whether a species is classified as a species of special concern, fully protected species, candidate, threatened, or endangered species, Prohibited Wildlife, an endangered or rare plant species, or other native species.

California Species of Special Concern

Species: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that the Department has determined are potentially at risk to become threatened or endangered.

Allowable Purpose for Take: Science, Education, Propagation

Authorization Mechanism for Take: Scientific Collecting Permit

Contact for Authorization:

  • Birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and Terrestrial Invertebrates - Wildlife Branch - Justin Garcia
  • Fish and Freshwater Invertebrates - Fisheries Branch - Lee Scheffler

California Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate Species

Species: Includes all species listed under the California Endangered Species Act by the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC Section 2080 et. seq., Title 14 CCR, Section 670.5)

Allowable Purpose for Take: may be taken for scientific, education, or management purposes

Authorization Mechanism for Take: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) issued by the Department pursuant to FGC subsection 2081(a)

Take of threatened or endangered species incidental to an otherwise lawful activity requires a Section 2081(b) permit.

Contact for Authorization:

  • Birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles - Wildlife Branch - Esther Burkett
  • Inland anadromous and non-anadromous freshwater fish, and freshwater invertebrates - Fisheries Branch - Lee Scheffler

Fully Protected Species

Species: Certain birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and fish (Fish and Game Code, Sections 3511, 4700, 5050, and 5515, respectively) categorized as Fully Protected receive special protections, on top of any concurrent Candidate, Threatened or Endangered designation by the California Endangered Species Act.

Allowable Purpose for Take: Necessary scientific research, including efforts to recover [any] Fully Protected, threatened, or endangered species.

For Fully Protected, "Scientific research” does not include an action taken as part of specified mitigation for a project, as defined in link opens in new windowSection 21065 of the Public Resources Code

Authorization Mechanism for Take: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) issued by the Department. Requires a 30 day Public Interest Notice (PIN)

Contact for Authorization:

  • Birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles - Wildlife Branch - Esther Burkett
  • Inland anadromous, and non-anadromous freshwater fish, and freshwater invertebrates - Fisheries Branch - Lee Scheffler

Prohibited Wildlife

Species: those included in the three above categories, as well as bird nests and eggs, raptors, certain bird families, bats, carnivores, game animals, and certain mammal families, amphibian eggs other groups specified as "Prohibited Wildlife" listed under each Authorization of the respective General Use Application (former "Standard Exception" categories).

Allowable Purpose for Take: Science, Education, Propagation

Authorization Mechanism for Take: Scientific Collecting Permit - Specific Use (prohibited from take under a General Use)

Contact for Authorization:

  • Birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates - Wildlife Branch - Justin Garcia
  • Fish - Fisheries Branch - Lee Scheffler
  • Marine - Marine Region - Steve May

Rare and Endangered Plants

Please note: SCPs are not issued for terrestrial or freshwater plants.

Species: Endangered and Rare Plants.

Allowable Purpose for Take: Scientific, Educational, or Management

Authorization Mechanism for Take: Scientific, Educational or Management Permit, Voucher Permit, or Incidental Take Permit

Contact for Authorization: Native Plant Program, nativeplants@wildlife.ca.gov

Contacts and Support

Scientific Collecting Permit Portal

Once you login to the Scientific Collecting Permit Portal (SCPP), there are additional resources on how to use the system.

For all questions pertaining to the SCPP, including technical or IT issues, contact SCPermits@wildlife.ca.gov (do not reply to autogenerated email from the SCP Portal or HelpDesk).

Fee Payments

For questions about application permit fee payments, contact the LIcense and Revenue Branch's Special Permits Unit: (916) 928-5846 or spu@wildlife.ca.gov.

SCP Review Programs

Depending on the taxonomic areas of interest, questions about submitting an application (new, renewal, or amendment) may be directed to the appropriate CDFW permit review scientist(s) below.

General Inquiries

General questions about the SCP Portal, technical issues from within the Portal, and other general questions can be sent to:

Fisheries

Inland Fisheries: Reviews for anadromous & non-anadromous fish and aquatic invertebrates, sampled in inland salt or freshwater

Fisheries Branch Permitting webpage

Fisheries Permitting Contact:

Lee Scheffler, Fisheries Branch SCP Lead, (916) 203-2570

Lee Scheffler, NOAA 4(d) Program Coordinator and SCP Reviewer, (916) 203-1947

Marine

Marine: Reviews for anadromous & non-anadromous fish, algae, seagrasses, and invertebrates sampled in marine waters

Marine Region Permitting web page

Marine Permitting Contact: Lara Slatoff

Wildlife

Terrestrial Wildlife: Reviews for amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, terrestrial invertebrates, and vernal pool invertebrates

Wildlife Branch, Nongame Wildlife Program Permitting webpage

Terrestrial Wildlife Permitting Contact: Chad Hirano

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

NOAA Fisheries