All species of amphibians in Pennsylvania are protected. Collecting or catching any species of amphibian for any purpose requires a valid fishing license. Collecting or catching any amphibian, for any purpose, requires a valid collectors permit. An amphibian will not be considered to be in possession of a person if, after it is taken or caught, it is immediately returned unharmed to the area from which it was taken. Endangered or threatened species of amphibians may not be caught, collected or disturbed without a special permit.
Scientific collectors permits.
An amphibian or reptile will not be considered to be in possession of a person if, after it is taken or caught, it is immediately returned unharmed to the area from which it was taken. This subsection applies to possession limits only. It does not permit the sponsors of a hunt or individual hunters to take, catch or kill any number of amphibians and reptiles in excess of the daily limits. This section does not prohibit possession of numbers of amphibians and reptiles in excess of possession limits by zoos and other institutions or persons for scientific, educational or research purposes or licensed taxidermists for the purpose of mounting for properly permitted customers, licensed wildlife rehabilitators or licensed pest control agents with the written permission of the Executive Director or a designee. These persons shall maintain a current open inventory of and report annually changes in the number of reptiles and amphibians possessed.