Wildlife Conservation Permits: Scientific Research

A Scientific Research Permit is required to collect, hold, possess, display, transport, release, or propagate indigenous mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and other aquatic life for scientific purposes. Scientific purposes include activities aimed at enhancing, protecting, conserving, or managing wildlife, or furthering scientific understanding of a resource or the environment.

These permits do not allow the sale of animals and are valid for three years from the date of issuance.

Under the online system (effective August 2025), permits are issued on a project-specific basis. Permit holders working on multiple research projects may be required to hold more than one permit. Review the Scientific Research Permits Projects Guide carefully, as it provides a thorough explanation of what constitutes a project for the purposes of this permit.

In addition to standard terms and conditions that apply to all permits, certain permits may reference protocols that require the permit holder to adhere to standards related to the authorized activities (e.g., disease monitoring standards, collection method requirements). These protocols may be updated periodically. See Scientific Research Permits Protocols for details.

Research in state parks or state natural areas requires a State Park Scientific Study Permit. Visit the State Park Scientific Study Permit Page for information.

All Scientific Research Permit business for permits issued on or after August 2025 must be managed online via the Texas Parks and Wildlife Permitting System. New users can create an account at any time. If your permit was issued prior to August 2025, see Permits Issued Prior to August 2025 for information on managing your existing permit.

All applications for a new Scientific Research Permit must be submitted online via the Texas Parks and Wildlife Permitting System.

The application fee is $53. Payment may be submitted online by credit card or by mailing a check or money order. Online credit card payments include a $1.45 service fee. For pay by mail options, follow the instructions online; after completing the new application, the system will generate a remittance form with pay by mail instructions. Be prepared to upload the following documents during the application process:

• Resume or CV
• Two letters of recommendation from experienced individuals in the appropriate biological or professional field for which the applicant is applying.
• Proposal for the specific project needing permit authorization (see the Scientific Research Permits Projects Guide for detailed proposal requirements).
• Live Animal Care and Use Committee (e.g., IACUC) protocol and approval letter, if the research involves live vertebrate animals at an institution with an IACUC.
• Supplemental documents as applicable (e.g., federal permits)

Requests to amend active permits issued on or after August 2025, including the addition and removal of subpermittees, must be submitted online via the Texas Parks and Wildlife Permitting System. If requesting an amendment to a permit authorization, be prepared to upload supplemental documentation if necessary (e.g., updated project proposal, federal permits).

For amendments to permits issued prior to August 2025, see Permits Issued Prior to August 2025.

Annual Reports are due within 14 days after the anniversary date of permit issuance. The online Permitting system will send email reminders two weeks prior to and on the day the Annual Report submission window opens. Activities should be logged throughout the year to simplify completion of annual reports.

Determine which forms to complete:

• Did you conduct field activities involving wildlife other than freshwater mussels?
  Complete the Standard Report Form.
• Did you conduct field activities involving freshwater mussels?
  Complete the Freshwater Mussel Report Form.
• Did you have activities involving captive wildlife?
  Complete the Captive Species Inventory Report if any of the below apply. See the Instructions tab within the form for detailed guidance.
  • You have carryover inventory from previous reporting periods;
  • You received captive wildlife via donation or transfer during this reporting period; or
  • Captive wildlife reproduced (births/hatches) during the reporting period.
• Did you transfer or receive wildlife specimens from another permit holder?
  Complete a Receipt for Donation of Fish or Wildlife Specimens for each transaction. This form may be completed as many times as necessary and must be included with the annual report.

Report forms:

• Standard Report Form (PWD 1505_StandardReportForm) | Excel
• Freshwater Mussel Report Form (PWD 1506_FreshwaterMusselReportForm) | Excel
• Captive Species Inventory Report (PWD 1501_CaptiveSpeciesInventoryReport) | Excel
• Receipt for Donation of Fish or Wildlife Specimens (PWD 1143_DonationReceiptForm) | PDF

All renewal applications for permits issued on or after August 2025 must be submitted via the online Texas Parks and Wildlife Permitting System. Renewal applications are available 30 days prior to permit expiration. The renewal fee is $53. Payment may be submitted online by credit card or by mailing a check or money order. Online credit card payments include a $1.45 service fee. For pay by mail options, follow the instructions online; after completing the renewal application, the system will generate a remittance form with pay by mail instructions.

For permits issued prior to August 2025, renewal applications are no longer accepted. Apply for a new permit through the online system instead.

Permits issued on or after August 2025 may be canceled prior to the expiration date. To cancel, prepare a final annual report for the current reporting year detailing all permit-related activity conducted through the requested cancellation date. Log in to your online Texas Parks and Wildlife Permitting System account to submit the request. The completed annual report form(s) must be uploaded to complete the request.

Cancellation is effective immediately. Do not submit the request until you are ready to cease permitted activities.

For cancellation of permits issued prior to August 2025, see Permits Issued Prior to August 2025.

Scientific Research Permits issued prior to August 2025 were not migrated to the online system but remain valid until their expiration date. The information below covers how to manage these legacy permits through expiration. For all other topics (new applications, renewals for new permits, etc.), refer to the sections above.

Amendments

All amendment requests for active permits issued prior to August 2025 must be submitted to SRP@tpwd.texas.gov.

• To add, remove or modify subpermittees, complete and submit the Subpermittee form (PDF) to SRP@tpwd.texas.gov.
• To request modifications to the permit authorizations, email a description of and justification for the requested changes to SRP@tpwd.texas.gov. Requests that represent significant changes in scope, goals or objectives may not be accepted and might instead require a new permit application.

Renewals

Renewal applications are no longer accepted for permits issued prior to August 2025 due to the transition to the online system. Apply for a new permit via the Texas Parks and Wildlife Permitting System.

Cancellation

Email a final annual report detailing all permit-related activity conducted through the requested cancellation date to SRP@tpwd.texas.gov and include a request to discontinue the permit.

Certain research activities may require additional permit authority from TPWD or other state or federal agencies. Two common examples are listed below, but this is not a comprehensive list. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all appropriate permits are in place.

• Fish/Shellfish Relocation: Be aware that certain research activities involving fish or shellfish may also require a Permit to Introduce Fish, Shellfish or Aquatic Plants into Public Waters (INTRO Permit). For additional information, email ifpermits@tpwd.texas.gov.
• Federally Protected Wildlife: Migratory birds, federally-listed species, and other federally protected wildlife may require a permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or other federal agencies.

• Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 43, Subchapter C
• Texas Administrative Code, Title 31, Chapter 69, Subchapter J

• Scientific Research Permits Protocols
• Scientific Research Permits Projects Guide
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Permitting System