Scientific Research Permits Online System

Wildlife Conservation Permits

Contact Information

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Wildlife Conservation Permits
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

WPoffice@tpwd.texas.gov

Scientific Research Permits Online System

Important Notice

Blackout Period is Active: June 14 to August 13, 2025
New System Launch: August 13, 2025 (evening)

A new system for Scientific Permits will be launched in the summer of 2025. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve and modernize our permitting systems, we are transitioning to a new online platform for managing scientific research permits and applications. Once the new system launches, our Department will require new applications to be submitted via the online system, and we will stop processing renewals and major amendments of permits on the old system.

Why the Change?

The decision to implement a new system is driven by the need to introduce modern efficiencies, such as online payments, streamline administrative processes, and ensure more effective management of our scientific permitting program. This new system will allow us to process permits more efficiently, improve data usability, and better support the critical research being conducted in the field.

Who this affects?

Existing scientific research permits will remain valid until their expiration date. Applications for a new permit or requests for a major change to existing permits will need to use the new system.

Key Policy Changes and Transition Details

Included on the sidebar is a link to our Scientific Research Permit Projects Guide, a comprehensive document outlining a key policy change: projects will now be issued on a project-specific basis. Please 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. As the launch date nears, we will provide further guidance to ensure a smooth transition and encourage you to visit our website once these changes have been made.

Blackout Period

Please be aware that there will be a blackout period beginning 45-60 days prior to the launch of the new system. During this time, our office will not accept any new permit applications, renewals, or amendment requests. We will notify all permittees this spring when the blackout period will occur, and we will send a reminder at least one month before the blackout period begins. To avoid delays, we encourage you to submit any necessary requests well in advance.

Resources Available

To support you through this transition, we will offer several resources, including:

Webinars on New Database

To register for one of these webinars, please visit the following links:

Q&A and Questions

We understand you may have questions about the upcoming changes. However, we kindly ask that you hold off on sending inquiries until we provide additional information in the coming months. Each webinar will feature a Q&A session, and we encourage you to participate.

Next Steps and Follow-Up

We recognize that these changes may raise questions and concerns, and we are committed to providing clear communication throughout this process. Once the launch schedule is finalized, we will send a follow-up email with specific dates and further instructions.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to supporting you through this transition. Please monitor this website for periodic updates and additional information.