Licenses and permits

Apply for a license or permit from the Dept. of Agriculture (DoAg)

Need to apply for and renew agricultural licenses and permits in the state of Connecticut? You’ve come to the right place. DoAg oversees certifications across CT’s agricultural industry and domestic animal facilities.

Learn more about the documents you need to start and grow your business here. This includes license, permits, and registration information for:

Farm and agricultural commodities
Dairy products
Livestock and poultry
Domestic animal facilities
Aquaculture

Apply for DoAg licenses online

Quick references

How to apply for a DoAg license online

Read step-by-step instructions on how to apply online for a new license, permit, or registration with DoAg.

Visit the E-licensing portal

You can apply for most licenses online though the State’s E-licensing portal. Sign in to file a new application, renew your license, and more.

File an Incorporated Societies Report

All Connecticut Fairs must submit an Incorporated Societies Report in order to retain their non-profit status. They are due by December 30 each year.

Farm and animal licenses and permits

Agricultural goods

Find licenses, permits, and registrations for CT farmers and producers. They cover agricultural topics like soil, fertilizer, eggs, fruit, animal feed, honey, and more.

Explore agricultural commodity licenses

Animals and pets

Apply for licenses related to pets and animals. These include animal importers, training facilities, fur breeders, kennels, grooming facilities, and pet shops.

Explore animal and pet licenses

Dairy

Explore licenses and permits for the production and sale of dairy products, such as pasteurized and raw milk and cheese.

Explore dairy licenses

Livestock and poultry

Get licensed to import, care for, and sell livestock or poultry in the state of Connecticut.

Explore livestock and poultry licenses

Aquaculture licenses and permits

Get certified to harvest, produce, or ship molluscan shellfish

By law, each commercial harvester, producer, or shipper of shellfish in Connecticut must be licensed by the DoAg Bureau of Aquaculture. The type of work, and where you do it, will determine which license you need.

Note that recreational shellfishing licenses are handled by each municipality. They may or may not be required. Municipalities may also require a commercial shellfishing license for waters under local jurisdiction. Visit your town or municipality website for more information.

Learn more about aquaculture and shellfish licensing

Find aquaculture license applications

Municipal licenses

Find licenses required by municipalities or shellfish commissions. These include the Town Recreational Relay License and the Town Recreational License to Reopen a Relayed Area.

Scientific Resource Assessment license

Anyone assessing shellfish populations or conducting scientific research of molluscan shellfish must get this license.

Seed Importation license

This license allows the harvest of seed oysters from natural shellfish beds in Connecticut. It is only valid during certain periods.

Seed Oyster Transplant and Sales license

Anyone involved in the importation or introduction of molluscan shellfish species from outside of Connecticut must get this license.

Shellstock Shipper I license

Businesses that grow, harvest for market, buy, or sell shellstock (raw, in-shell molluscan shellfish) need to apply for this license.

Shellstock Shipper III license

This license allows the applicant to buy, repack, and sell market shellstock from dealers included on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL).

Animal Control Officer Certification

Become a municipal or regional animal control officer

Apply for certification as a municipal or regional animal control officer (ACO) with the Animal Control Unit with the CT Department of Agriculture.

ACOs must receive at least 80 hours of training prior to applying for certification. And to maintain certification, ACOs must complete at least six hours of continuing education.

Apply to be an Animal Control Officer