(1) An applicant for a Washington falconry permit must complete and submit an application form from the department. The applicant must meet the state residency requirements for Washington.

(2) The temporary possession and short-term handling of a raptor, such as letting any other person hold or practice flying a raptor, is not possession for the purposes of this section if the handler is under the permitted falconer's supervision, employed, or under contract by the permitted falconer. A falconry observer, including a person accompanying a falconer when hunting or otherwise flying a falconry raptor, is not required to possess a falconry permit or a hunting license.

(3) For determining possession and take of raptors for falconry, a regulatory year is the calendar year starting January 1st and ending the following December 31st.

(4) Falconry permits shall be valid from the date issued until the date of expiration on the permit. The permit will be valid for a maximum period of two years to expire on December 31st.

(5) A resident of Washington must have a valid Washington falconry permit to take, possess raptors for falconry, or to practice falconry. To release a falconry raptor to pursue or hunt, depending on the type of game hunted, a resident falconer may need resident state and/or tribal hunting licenses, permits, stamps, and/or a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (a "Duck Stamp").

(6) A falconer must have permit(s) or legible copies of his/her permit in immediate possession if he/she is trapping, transporting, displaying, or engaging in falconry.