Florida Administrative Code › 68 - FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION › 68A - Freshwater Fish and Wildlife › Chapter 68A-6 - CAPTIVE WILDLIFE › Section 68A-6.017 - Possession and Exhibition of Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Any person who keeps, possesses, exhibits
				or sells any venomous reptiles or reptile of concern shall comply with Sections
				379.303,
				379.304,
				379.305,
				379.372,
				379.373,
				379.374 and
				379.3761, F.S., and the
				provisions of subparagraph
				68-5.007(5)(a)
				1., F.A.C., and the rules of this chapter. The following reptiles, including
				their taxonomic synonymies, subspecies or hybrids thereof, are designated as
				reptiles of concern: None listed at this time.
(2) Qualification requirements for a permit
				to possess venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern:
(a) Age Requirement: Applicants to possess
				venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern shall be at least 18 years of
				age.
(b) Applicants shall not have
				been convicted of any violation of venomous reptile, reptile of concern,
				conditional species, prohibited species, or captive wildlife regulations
				involving unsafe housing of wildlife or that could potentially endanger the
				public; any violation involving the illegal commercialization of wildlife; any
				violation involving cruelty to animals; or any violation involving importation
				of wildlife within three (3) years of the date of application.
(c) Not have refused a captive wildlife
				inspection within three (3) years of the date of application. Venomous reptile
				licenses issued to a person who refuses any such inspection shall be
				revoked.
(d) Specify the location
				of the facility at which the venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern shall be
				maintained. Facilities for venomous reptiles shall be inspected and approved by
				Commission personnel prior to the issuance of the permit and placement of
				animals at the facility location.
(e) Experience requirements for authorization
				to possess venomous reptiles:
1. Applicants
				shall demonstrate no less than one (1) year of substantial practical experience
				(to consist of no less than 1, 000 hours) in the care, feeding, handling and
				husbandry of the species or other species within the same biological family
				which are similar in characteristics and care to the species for which the
				permit is sought. For the purposes of demonstrating compliance, applicants
				shall submit documentation of such experience including:
a. A description of the specific experience
				acquired.
b. The dates the
				experience was obtained and the specific location(s) where acquired.
c. References of no less than two (2)
				individuals having firsthand knowledge of the applicant's stated experience.
				References shall be from persons licensed by the Commission for venomous
				reptiles of the same family for which the applicant is seeking authorization or
				a representative of a professional organization or governmental institution
				which deals directly with venomous reptiles as a part of their organization or
				institution. Examples of such organizations or institutions include, but are
				not limited to, universities, public service agencies, zoological associations,
				herpetological societies and veterinarians.
d. Additional documentation may include
				records of prior permits for the keeping of venomous reptiles, employment
				records, and any other competent documentation of the requisite
				experience.
2. If the
				applicant is unable to document such experience, as an alternative the
				applicant may take a written examination. The successful completion of a
				written examination for the particular species or family, administered by the
				Division of Law Enforcement, together with the documentation of not less than
				500 hours of substantial practical experience in the care, feeding, handling
				and husbandry of the species or family for which the permit is sought may be
				substituted for the one year/1, 000-hour requirement. Applicants scoring at
				least 80 percent correct on the examination shall be deemed as meeting the
				examination requirement for the particular species or family.
a. Examinations shall be completed without
				the use of any reference materials or other resources during the examination.
				Improper access to or use of any information or material in the examination
				shall be considered submission of materially false information in the
				application or other supporting documentation relating to the license, permit
				or other authorization.
b.
				Applicants who fail to pass the written examination after two (2) attempts
				shall wait six (6) months from the date of the last examination to retake the
				examination.
3. Providing
				materially false information to document the applicant's experience, by the
				applicant or any reference, is prohibited and shall result in denial or
				revocation of the applicant or reference's license, permit or other
				authorization, in accordance with Rule
				68-1.010, F.A.C.
4. Any licensed corporation authorized to do
				business in Florida may apply for a permit or other authorization to possess
				venomous reptiles. Such corporation must have qualified personnel responsible
				for the care of such venomous reptiles. The corporation must provide
				documentation of experience for at least one person. Such person shall comply
				with the requirements defined in paragraphs
				68A-6.017(2)(a)
				-(b), and subparagraphs (2)(e)1.-3., F.A.C., above. Such documentation of
				experience shall be submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
				Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, and subject to approval upon initial
				application and upon each instance of change in qualified personnel. Such
				corporation shall be fully responsible for any violation(s) committed by their
				employees or occurring at their facility.
(f) Reptiles of concern: Species possessed
				for personal use by reptile of concern license holders prior to July 1, 2010
				may continue in the possession of the owner for the life of the animal. A valid
				license to possess these animals must be maintained pursuant to Section
				379.372,
				F.S.