R657-53-8. Certificate of Registration Required

(1)(a) A person shall obtain a certificate of registration before collecting, importing, transporting, possessing, or propagating any amphibian or reptile or their parts as provided in rule and the proclamations of the Wildlife Board for amphibians and reptiles, except as otherwise provided by the Wildlife Board or rules of the Wildlife Board.

(b) A certificate of registration is not required:

(i) to collect, import, transport, or possess any amphibian or reptile classified as noncontrolled, except as provided in Subsections R657-53-26(1)(c), R657-53-27(5) and R657-53-28(7); or

(ii) to export any species or subspecies of amphibian or reptile from Utah, provided that the amphibian or reptile is held in legal possession and importation into the destination state is lawful.

(c) An application for an amphibian or reptile classified as prohibited shall not be accepted by the division without providing written justification describing how the applicant's proposed collection, importation, or possession of the amphibian or reptile meets the criteria provided in Subsections R657-53-23(1)(a), R657-53-24(c)(i) or R657-53-19.

(d) Pre-authorized certificates of registration may be issued for collection and the resulting possession of amphibians and reptiles classified as controlled for collection pursuant to R657-53-13.

(2)(a) Certificates of registration expire as designated on the certificate of registration.

(b) Certificates of registration are not transferable.

(c) If the holder of a certificate of registration is a representative of an institution, organization, business, or agency, the certificate of registration shall end upon the representative's discontinuation of association with that entity.

(d) Certificates of registration do not provide the holder with any rights of succession and any certificate of registration issued to a business or organization shall be void upon the termination of the business or organization or upon bankruptcy or transfer.

(3) The issuance of a certificate of registration automatically incorporates within its terms the conditions and requirements of this rule specifically governing the activity for which the certificate of registration is issued.

(4) In addition to this rule, the division may impose specific requirements on the holder of the certificate of registration necessary for the safe and humane handling and care of the amphibian or reptile.

(5)(a) Upon or before the expiration date of a certificate of registration, the holder must renew an existing or apply for a new certificate of registration to continue the activity.

(b) The division shall use the criteria provided in Section R657-53-11 in determining whether to issue a certificate of registration.

(c) If an application is not made by the expiration date, a live or dead amphibian or reptile held in possession under the expired certificate of registration shall be considered unlawfully held.

(d) If an application for a new certificate of registration is submitted before the expiration date, the existing certificate of registration shall remain valid while the application is pending.

(6) Failure to submit timely, accurate, or valid reports as required under this rule or the certificate of registration may disqualify a person from obtaining a new certificate of registration.

(7) A certificate of registration may be suspended as provided in Section 23-19-9 and Rule R657-26.