Guide License Application
- Applicable Arizona Revised Statutes – A.R.S. 17-362;
- Applicable Arizona Rules – R12-4-208
- AZGFD Laws and Rules
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
Current Licensed Guides
Contact the Department for information regarding the guides lists, hunt guides, fishing guides and combo hunt and fishing guides.
Checklist
- Guide License online, application and guide report
- Fee: $300 (all guide license types)
- License Valid: Calendar year expiring on December 31.
Additional information: 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 at all department offices.
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 examination and a Fishing Guide examination. If a person wishes to obtain the combination Hunting and Fishing Guide License, they must take both the Hunting and Fishing Guide examinations. Once licensed, a guide must complete a Department-sanctioned continuing education course at least once every five years.
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 online through the portal.
- 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.
- Guides are required to immediately report any violations committed by their client to the department.
Guide Application Process
Guide License Renewal Information
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