Wildlife Control Operator

​​​​​​​​Wildlife Control Operator Permit​

A Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) is a licensed professional authorized to manage, capture, and remove nuisance wildlife from residential or commercial properties using lethal or non-lethal methods. Read below for the requirements for this permit program.  

General Information

A Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) permit authorizes a person to take and transport specified wildlife at any time for commercial wildlife control purposes.

A permitted WCO is not required to possess a valid trapping or hunting license unless they will sell the pelts of furbearers taken during an open season.

A WCO shall not take the following species without prior authorization from the commissioner:

Important Links​

Permits and Reports

Application Process

Wildlife Control Operator permits are valid from March 1st through the last day of February the following year.

To obtain the Wildlife Control Operator permit, a person shall:

1. Be at least 18 years old;
2. Pass the ​Kentucky NWCO Training Program​ for Kentucky with a score of 80% or better:*
   
1. The exam comprises the following modules:
   1. The statutes and regulations about wildlife control and trapping
   2. The life history of commonly encountered wildlife species
   3. Wildlife sign and nuisance scenarios: what species is responsible
   4. Disease concerns with wildlife control
      
   5. Safety
      
   6. Professionalism
      
3. Submit an application fee (Please refer to the License and Permits Fees page ​ for the current fee amount) and complete the Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) Permit Application​
4. Provide proof of completion of the Kentucky Hunter Education Certification ​or a course offered by another jurisdiction that meets the course standards set by the International Hunter Education Association if you will use a firearm for nuisance control purposes. 
   
5. File an Annual Activity Report with the Department for the previous year’s activity. (Must be filed annually.)
   

For business purposes, primary permittees may designate partners or employees as sub-permittees on a single permit application; this allows a single application, annual fee, and annual activity report per business. Importantly, sub-permittees must still complete the National Wildlife Control Training Program before being added to a permit. Additionally, sub-permittees must provide proof of completion of the Kentucky Hunter Education Certification Program or a course offered by another jurisdiction that meets the International Hunter Education Association's course standards if they will use a firearm for nuisance control purposes.