R657-40-4. Application Procedure

(1) Applications for certificates of registration are available from division offices.

(2) Applicants for:

(a) wildlife rehabilitation must be 18 years of age or older; and

(b) wildlife apprenticeship must be 18 years of age or older.

(3) In addition to a completed application, the applicant for wildlife rehabilitation must provide the following information:

(a) the name, date of birth, mailing address, and phone number of the applicant;

(b) the name, date of birth, mailing address, and phone number of each apprentice;

(c) the street address or an adequate description of the location and all premises where wildlife rehabilitation facilities will be established and maintained;

(d) a detailed diagram of all wildlife rehabilitation facilities and cages in which protected wildlife will be held;

(e) the taxa or species of wildlife proposed to be rehabilitated;

(f) the signature of the applicant and date of submittal of the application;

(g)(i) the name, address, and signed statement from a licensed veterinarian agreeing to assist the applicant in wildlife rehabilitation activities; or

(ii) a copy of a valid veterinary license if the applicant is a veterinarian;

(h) a signed, written statement from a wildlife rehabilitator indicating the applicant has a minimum of two years experience performing wildlife rehabilitation under that person's direction. The experience must have been for an average of at least eight hours per week and for the taxa of animals for which the applicant is applying;

(i) a signed, written statement from the city or county in which the applicant proposes to rehabilitate wildlife granting approval for the proposed activities; and

(j) documentation of a passing score of the exam as provided in Section R657-40-5.

(4) The division may waive the training standards required in Subsection (3)(h) for a specific taxa if it is not possible to obtain the required experience because there are no existing rehabilitators authorized to rehabilitate an apprentice for that taxa.

(5) In addition to the information required in Subsection (3), the division may require additional information for rehabilitating potentially dangerous animals, protection of human safety, or other information that will allow the division to effectively assess the applicant's abilities to rehabilitate wildlife.

(6)(a) If the applicant requests authorization to rehabilitate migratory birds, the applicant must provide a copy of the federal application for a special purpose permit as required under 50 CFR 21.27.

(b) The certificate of registration may not be issued until the federal application is approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

(7) Completed applications must be submitted to the Wildlife Registration office located in the Salt Lake division office.

(8) An incomplete application or an application that does not include the information required under this section may be returned to the applicant.

(9)(a) Upon receiving a completed application and the documentation required under this section, a division representative shall inspect the applicant's facilities in accordance with state and federal guidelines.

(b) A certificate of registration will not be issued and an amendment will not be granted to an existing certificate of registration until after the applicant's facilities have been inspected and approved by the division.

(10)(a) The division shall, within 45 days after inspecting the applicant's facility, approve or deny the application based on:

(i) the need for wildlife rehabilitation in the area;

(ii) the applicant's knowledge, background, proficiency, and skill as it relates to wildlife rehabilitation;

(iii) the applicant's facilities and ability to adequately care for injured animals;

(iv) the exam required under Section R657-40-5;

(v) any other relevant information available to the division; and

(vi) whether the applicant has been convicted of a wildlife violation related to the applicant's ability to rehabilitate wildlife or the conviction of any violation that demonstrates a lack of willingness or ability to comply with laws related to wildlife and activities associated with wildlife rehabilitation.

(b) If an application is denied, the division shall provide the applicant with a written notice stating the reasons for denial.

(11) Certificates of registration shall expire three years after the date of issuance.