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. Study packets are available at any Department office. 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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