How to Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Wildlife rehabilitator applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Every applicant must complete the following requirements:

• Attend Connecticut's Wildlife Rehabilitation Seminar and pass a state examination with 80% or better.
• Provide verification of having completed 40 hours of training under an authorized Connecticut rehabilitator with at least 3 years of experience by completing a Statement of Apprenticeship.
• Provide verification of having veterinary services by completing a Statement of Veterinary Support.
• Submit a Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitator Application. (Please provide as much detail as possible about your experience and your facilities. Pictures are helpful.)

Once all of the above requirements are completed, a volunteer appointment will be issued. 

Wildlife Rehabilitation Seminar/Exam
Seminars are typically offered in-person once or twice a year in the spring and fall, and are scheduled and run by the CT Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (CWRA). Please check the CWRA website for dates and details about registration. Exams can be taken electronically by appointment once the seminar requirement is completed.

Statement of Apprenticeship
This statement must be signed by both the applicant and an authorized rehabilitator who is familiar with your qualifications and facilities. Pre-approved continuing education credits (up to 20 hours) can be applied as part of the apprenticeship requirement. A signed certificate from the organization providing the training must be submitted to verify attendance. Hours with an out-of-state wildlife rehabilitator must also be accompanied by a copy of that rehabilitator’s state license.

Veterinary Support
All applicants must submit a statement of veterinary support. Although this requirement does not obligate the veterinarians in any manner, it does establish that, at the time of application, a veterinarian has been contacted who may provide information and/or treatment for wildlife taken in by said rehabilitator when the need for veterinarian services arises.

Types of authorization

Standard Rehabilitator Appointment
A standard rehabilitator appointment authorizes a person to rehabilitate injured, sick, or immature nonmigratory birds and mammals (other than deer or Rabies Vector Species), until they can be released. It does not authorize the capture or relocation of nuisance wildlife.

Rabies Vector Species (RVS) Authorization
Applicants wishing to rehabilitate raccoons, skunks, and foxes will be required to meet additional stringent handling guidelines and disease prevention protocols developed by the State's Rabies Advisory Committee (RAC). These include vaccinations, training, and pre-release caging requirements. Contact laurie.fortin@ct.gov before building a pre-release cage.

White-tailed Deer Authorization
Applicants wishing to receive authorization to rehabilitate fawn white-tailed deer must be able to release deer from their property. Contact laurie.fortin@ct.gov for a site review before applying.

Migratory Birds Authorization
Migratory birds include all birds except resident gamebirds, (i.e., ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, etc.), pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, and mute swans. A federal "Special Purpose Rehabilitator" permit must be acquired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Permit Office prior to receiving state permission.

Reference materials

Wildlife Rehabilitation Resources 

For further information, or to receive the necessary application forms, please contact Laurie Fortin of the Wildlife Division at laurie.fortin@ct.gov.

Content last updated on October 8, 2026.