Guide License Application
- Applicable Arizona Statutes – A.R.S. 17-362
- Applicable Arizona GFD Rules – R12-4-208
- AZGFD Laws and Rules
A guide license authorizes a person to accept compensation in any form commensurate with the market value in this state for guiding services in exchange for aiding, assisting, directing, leading, or instructing a person in the field to locate and take wildlife.
Complete application form, score 80% or more on appropriate guide license examination, present required identification, and if a renewal, submit previous years guide report.
Current Licensed Guides
The Guide lists below are updated quarterly and be aware that the lists may not contain all current licensed Guides. The department does not sanction or endorse any of the following Guides and merely provides these lists as a convenience to the public. All prospective clients should thoroughly scrutinize a potential Guide prior to hiring them.
Checklist
- Application: Form 2727-A
- Guide Report: Form 2727-B
A guide, as defined under A.R.S. § 17-101, is a person who does any one of the following:
- Advertises for guiding services
- Is presented to the public for hire as a guide
- Is employed by a commercial enterprise as a guide
- Accepts compensation in any form commensurate with the market value in this state for guiding services in exchange for aiding, assisting, directing, leading, or instructing a person in the field to locate and take wildlife
- Is not a landowner or lessee who, without full fair market compensation, allows access to the landowner’s or lessee’s property and directs and advises a person in taking wildlife
In order to obtain a Guide License a person must first possess a valid hunting and/or fishing license. Residency requirements are waived for Guide Licenses. A person must submit a complete and accurate Guide License Application. The guide applicant must also take a guide test and pass with a score of 80% or better. The guide tests are given on the first Monday of every month at all department offices. Special arrangements can be made for the guide test if a prior appointment is made.
The department offers three different types of Guide Licenses; Hunting Guide, Fishing Guide, or Hunting and Fishing Guide. There are two different examinations for these Licenses, a Hunting Guide test and a Fishing Guide test. If a person wishes to obtain the combination Hunting and Fishing Guide License, they must take both the Hunting and Fishing Guide test. Examination study packets are available at any department office. Guide Licenses cost $300 no matter which type of guide license is chosen and the Guide Licenses are valid for the calendar year and expire on December 31.
Special Consideration
Many western states have a Guide Associations or Boards which regulate commercial guide and/or outfitter enterprises. Currently Arizona does not have a formal Guide Association or Board and the department is the regulating authority.- The state of Arizona does not offer or require an “Outfitter” license. Outfitters are generally defined in many jurisdictions as an enterprise that provides equipment or supplies, or a commercial pack or camp service, other than assisting for pay in the take of wildlife.
- Most federal jurisdictions in Arizona, including the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, require a commercial permit if a guide or outfitter wishes to offer commercial services on federal lands or jurisdictions. These permits can be obtained at the appropriate land management agency offices and often have a fee and reporting requirements.
- Guide Licenses are only available from a department office.
- Guide Licenses can be issued out of any department office but, for accounting purposes, the department requests that you obtain your Guide License from the department Region in which you live. Department offices are located in Pinetop, Flagstaff, Kingman, Yuma, Tucson, Mesa, and the state headquarters located in Phoenix.
- Once the complete Guide License Application is submitted (either new license or renewal) and the appropriate guide test is passed (for new Guide Licenses), the department has 30 days by law to process the application. In most circumstances new Guide Licenses can be issued immediately or within a few business days. Renewal Guide Licenses often take longer to complete. Incomplete Guide License Applications or renewals, including payment, will be returned to the applicant unprocessed.
- All Guide License holders are required to report their guiding activity to the department by January 10 following the license year. A Guide Report is required to be submitted even if no persons were guided. Simply indicate, “No Persons Guided,” on the report. All reports must contain an original signature. Faxed or e-mail copies will not be accepted.
- No person acting as a guide shall carry firearms other than a revolver or pistol.
- Guides are required to immediately report any violations committed by their client to the department.
