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Florida venomous reptile law cath-22

"Florida 68A-6.007 Possession, Transportation, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern.
1. Applicants shall demonstrate no less than one (1) year of substantial practical experience (to consist of no less than 1,000 hours) in the care, feeding, handling and husbandry of the species or other species within the same biological family which are similar in characteristics and care to the species for which the permit is sought."

You need a license to possess venomous reptiles.

You need 1,000 hours of "practical experience in ... handling" venomous reptiles to have a license.

Then, how one accumulates 1,000 hours without a license?

Anyone please can point to the actual law governing this exact issue in Florida? (ie, working with an already-licensed person {to be added to his/her license ???] or need a "student" permit or go to South Carolina to make 1,000 hours or what...? does it come down the definition of "possession" = ownership vs. actual "handling" the animal vs. something else?)

Possession, Transportation, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern

I received my permit in 2002 and then the requirements werent as strict concerning labeling, inventory, and critical incident report and plan. The requirements were basically the same. At that time I was getting my experience and "hours" helping 2 locals who already had their Hot permits. I was originally from Georgia where keeping native Hots is legal...Its actually illegal to keep native colubrids...thats another discussion. But my prior experience didnt really go towards the "1000 hours" experience but did help in gaining the trust of the 2 guys in letting me assist in everyday activities surrounding keeping hots. Changing bedding, removing the snakes from cages to do so, and any other activities in and around venomous species was considered experience. But then what it boiled down to was 2 letters of reccomendation from 2 current permitted venomous license holders whom I got my "hours" under. The language in the requirements can be confusing and cloudy. Id reccomend calling FWC and getting in touch with permitting department. They will be more than happy to answer any questions. I can say that After several years of not keeping Hots I renewed this past year. I previously having a license helped, but the new requirements were suprising, but IMO necessary and great for the hobbyist in the longrun. Hope I could be of help.

chance

Thanks for the reply.

The question is: How someone without a license are permitted to touch a venomous reptile to satisfy the requirement for a license application? You have no license = you can not possess (eg, handle) an animal; to have a license you, need 1000 hours experience including handling.

What is the solution?

Your question was answered in the previous post.

Find someone that will mentor you to get your hours.

You will be working with their animals but not keeping them.
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Tim Cole
www.austinherpsociety.org
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
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Conservation through Education

Thank you. I am aware that this is the practice, but never seen the legal basis for it.

Do you have a legal reference or the like that someone with a venomous license, in his presence, is allowed to have a non-licensed person to handle venomous reptiles? ...with whatever conditions?

FL FW keep saying you can not handle unless you hold a license or they could "add" to someone's else license in a special/temporary capacity.

"68A-6.007 (7) No person except the licensee or his or her authorized employee shall open any cage, pit, or other container which contains venomous reptiles."

This addresses part of the question, but is silent about handling, what "authorized" (by whom) and "employee" (on payroll or contract or volunteer, etc.) means here.

Sorry for not addressing the question. All I would do is contact FWC and perhaps they may offer some clarity or explanation. It is greek to me as well. Good luck.

>>"68A-6.007 (7) No person except the licensee or his or her authorized employee shall open any cage, pit, or other container which contains venomous reptiles."

I'm not a lawyer and have never seen a legal interpretation of "authorized employee" in this sentence. Now that you bring it up, I remember way back reading the same sentence and asking the same question.

Clearly, the people who are actually involved with venomous permitting at FWC interpret it to mean "someone the license holder has authorized".

I've heard the mention of "adding someone onto a permit", but there is no provision or procedure for doing that for venomous permits. (There is/was for "nuisance" animal removal permits. Maybe for others that I'm not aware of.)
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

This is a common question in FL.

The short version is that, yes, it has to do with the definition of "possession". If you get your experience at someone else's facility, THEY "possess" the animals. As long as you don't take them home, or transport them without a licensed person in the vehicle, you're OK. I can't guarantee that some day, some officer or prosecutor, under pressure from some politician might see it differently, but in 12 years of keeping, including 2000 hours at a refuge before I got my permit, I've never heard anyone with any relevant authority take a stricter view.
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.