Scientific Collecting Permits

CDFW issues two types of SCPs: General Use and Specific Use. The permit type you need will depend on the proposed project. A given project or planned undertaking will typically require either a General Use or a Specific Use SCP.

General Use SCP

General Use SCPs authorize a narrow set of activities and do not authorize take or possession of species designated as “Prohibited Wildlife” (e.g., threatened or endangered species, species of special concern, fully protected species). General Use applications are separated by their respective SCP review program based on taxonomic groups: Inland Fisheries (reviewed by Fisheries Branch), Marine (reviewed by Marine Region), and Terrestrial Wildlife (reviewed by Wildlife Branch). Each General Use SCP can only authorize take from one SCP review program.

Before applying for a General Use SCP, you should closely review the following pre-specified authorizations to ensure your project falls within the defined scope:

• Authorizations F1-F3 – form DFW 1379GF for Inland Fisheries (PDF)
• Authorizations M1-M3 – form DFW 1379GM for Marine (PDF)
• Authorizations W1-W6 – form DFW 1379GW for Terrestrial Wildlife (PDF)

Specific Use SCP

All activities or species not included in the narrow scope of a General Use SCP (as described above) require a Specific Use SCP. Specific Use permits may also authorize activities that involve taxonomic groups from more than one SCP review program. Additionally, if you propose working with a state-designated Marine Protected Area, you will need to apply for a Specific Use permit.

There are three options for who applies for, and holds, a SCP: Individual, Student, and Entity. Please refer to Scientific Collecting Permit Portal (SCPP) Roles guide (PDF) for explanations of the different roles of an Individual Permit and Entity Permit.

Individual Permit

• Permit is held by a single individual who serves as both the Permitholder and the Principal Investigator (PI).
• The PI must follow requirements in subsection (b)(19) of Section 650, Title 14, CCR.
• There is only a single PI allowed per General or Specific Use SCP, and permits cannot be transferred.
• Permits are valid for three years and eligible for renewal.

Student Permit

• Only enrolled students that are 18 years or older may apply as Student Permitholders.
• Fees are lower than those for Individual or Entity permitholders.
• Permits cannot be transferred.
• Permits are valid for one year and eligible for renewal.

Entity Permit

• Permit is held by an Organization, Institution, Agency, Native American tribe, or similar group.
• Fees are the same as for Individual permits.
• Permits are valid for three years and eligible for renewal.

In the SCP Portal, 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 for each permit is responsible for all permitted activities and provides adequate supervision of all persons named on the List of Authorized Individuals. The PI must follow requirements pursuant to subsection (b)(19) of Section 650, Title 14, CCR.

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:

• Terrestrial Wildlife General Use SCPs are required for activities with terrestrial invertebrates that occur in vernal pools, or other ephemeral waters that support vernal pool invertebrates, but do not normally support finfish;
• A General Use SCP is required for non-routine incidental capture of any taxa covered on the California Terrestrial and Vernal Pool Invertebrates of Conservation Priority List (PDF) during the course of field activities; and
• A Specific Use SCP is required for the intentional take (e.g., capture) of any taxa covered on the California Terrestrial and Vernal Pool Invertebrates of Conservation Priority List (PDF).

Additional guidance can be found on the CDFW Research Permitting Flowchart for Terrestrial Invertebrates.

• Access the SCP Portal to register and create a Login ID. Follow the Creating and Managing Your Login ID (PDF) guidance document.
• If you plan to apply for an Individual permit, follow the steps to create an Individual profile (PDF).
• If you plan to apply for a Student permit, follow the steps to create an Individual profile (PDF). Under the “Permitholder Information” section, indicate you are a Student permitholder.
  • *Note: If you are a student applying for your own Student SCP, you do not need two references. Instead, you need a letter of sponsorship from a faculty member at your institution (typically, your advisor). However, if you are a student listed as an Authorized Individual on an SCP, instead of a sponsor letter you need two references.
• If you plan to apply for an Entity permit:
  • Follow the steps to create an Individual profile (PDF). Under the “Permitholder Information” section, indicate you are an Entity Executive Signatory.
  • Then, follow the steps to create an Entity profile (PDF)

The following information is required and must be uploaded to each Individual profile for all persons who will independently conduct any permitted activities on the SCP as an Authorized Individual:

• 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), Title 14, CCR are met;
• 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
• References: Except for Student Permitholders, current contact information for two references (for example, other Permitholders or experts) who can verify the applicant’s experience with requested wildlife. Student Permitholders, in lieu of references, need a letter of sponsorship written by faculty of the student’s university or college on the organization’s letterhead.

Enter this information within the User Profile that was set up in the previous step.

IMPORTANT: Before you can apply for a new SCP, you must complete your Profile (see above). If you close out of the Profile, and are looking for the option to start a "New General Use Permit Request" or "New Specific Use Permit Request,” but these options do not show up in the same row as your Profile, you have not completed required fields in the Profile set up (e.g., completing the mailing address, affiliation information, references, and qualifications attachments).

Initiate a New Application

From the SCP Portal homepage, click on the “My Profiles” link in the Dashboard section.

• For Individual or Student permits, you can start the permit application here.
• For Entity permits, switch from the “My Profile” to the “Entity Profile” view before starting the permit application.
• From your profile, select one of the following:
  • New General Use Permit Request (for new SCPs)
  • New Specific Use Permit Request (for new SCPs)
  • General Use Permit Amendment (for amendments or renewals)
  • Specific Use Permit Amendment (for amendments or renewals)
• Click the “Create Application” button at the bottom of the form. This will create a blank application which you can access under the “My Permits and Applications” tab on your Dashboard.

Complete the Application

• Click the Edit icon in the table next to the application that you want to work on, symbolized by the paper and pencil icon, which will allow you to open the application.
• Complete the appropriate sections of the application. If you cannot complete the application in one sitting, then you can click “Save and Close” at the bottom of the application to save your progress and leave the page.
• Once your application is ready, navigate back to the “My Permits and Applications” tab on your Dashboard and click the blue “Submit” hyperlink to the right of the application you want to submit.
• After you click “Submit”, this will create a pop-up window where you can submit the application.
• IMPORTANT: Do NOT pay any fees until you receive an email with instructions. This ensures you pay the correct fee and the fee is applied to the correct item. See “Fees” for further details. Please note SCP fees are nonrefundable. If you do not receive the email, email SCP staff at SCPermits@wildlife.ca.gov.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Start a New SCP Application
• Complete a General Use Permit
• Complete a Specific Use Permit

Follow these steps to amend or renew an issued SCP.

1. Access the SCP Portal
   From the SCP Portal Home Page, click on “My Permits and Applications” at the top of the page. You should see a table that lists your current SCPs.
2. Open up the edit view
   Click “Edit” on the permit you wish to amend or renew, symbolized by the paper and pencil icon.
3. Navigate to Section 1c.
   Click “Create New Amendment or Renewal Application” in Section 1c. Amendments and Renewals.

   

4. Select Request Type
   Select "Amend" to amend the current SCP, or "Renew" to submit a renewal.
   NOTE: In order to submit an amendment, your SCP must be valid at the time of the request and while the request is processed. If your permit has expired, or may expire while the request is under review, then select "Renew".

   

5. Select Amendment Sections
   In the box labeled “Sections to Amend”, please select all applicable sections to amend by selecting an item and then clicking “Add”. Even if the species is not changing, you must select and add Section 4e. Taxonomic Groups for the application to be properly routed within CDFW. You may add sections to amend even if you are renewing your permit.
6. Upload Required Reports
   Confirm all required permit reports are uploaded or emailed to CDFW by selecting “Yes”. All reports required by your permit may be uploaded to the original permit under Section 1b. Mandatory Wildlife Reports.
7. Select Taxonomic Group
   In Section 4e. Taxonomic Groups, you must select all applicable taxa groups. Even if no activities are changing, you must select the appropriate taxa groups in Section 4e. Taxonomic Groups to ensure your application is properly routed in the SCP Portal.
8. Complete Amendment Sections
   Provide details in each individual section of the application (e.g., adding Authorized Individuals to Section 3c. List of Authorized Individuals).
9. Upload Supporting Documentation
   Upload any supporting documents in Section 6. Additional Supporting Documents, including any applicable federal permits or state CESA/Fully Protected MOUs.

General questions about the SCP program, technical issues with the SCP Portal, and other general questions can be sent to SCPermits@wildlife.ca.gov.

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

Fisheries Branch Permitting page

Fisheries Permitting Contact: FBSCpermits@wildlife.ca.gov

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

Marine Permitting Contact: MarineSCP@wildlife.ca.gov

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

Wildlife Branch Research Permitting page

Terrestrial Wildlife SCP Contact: TerrestrialWildlifeSCPs@wildlife.ca.gov