LICENSE EXEMPTIONS
Florida Residents and visitors need a Florida hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing license unless they are a member of one of the "exempted" groups of people listed below. Additional exemptions may apply and can be found online.
Freshwater / Saltwater / Hunting Exemptions
Exemptions for Florida residents:
- Age 65 years of age or older; may obtain complimentary license from tax collector office
- Certified as totally and permanently disabled
- Who are members of the armed forces on leave for 30 days or less (requires a copy of orders)
- Fishing for mullet in freshwater possessing a freshwater license
- Fishing from land or a structure fixed to land and have been determined eligible for food stamps, temporary cash assistance, or Medicaid Program by the Department of Children and Families
- Fishing or hunting in county of residence on your homestead or homestead of your spouse or minor child; minor child fishing or hunting on parent’s homestead
- Fishing for non-commercial purposes in home county with live or natural bait and using poles or lines that are not equipped with a fishing-line retrieval mechanism (excludes fish management area)
Exemptions for Florida and Out-of-State residents:
- Child under the age of 16
- Fishing during the free freshwater/saltwater fishing days promotion
- Individuals accepted as a client for developmental services by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities
- A disabled veteran or active or reserve military member (including immediate family members or an assistant) participating in a permitted military/disabled veterans event
Additional Saltwater specific exemptions:
- Fishing from a licensed pier
- Fishing from a vessel where the operator possesses a valid license issued in their name
- Fishing from a vessel with a valid license issued in the name of a vessel
Additional Hunting specific exemptions:
- Individuals 16 years of age or older, born on or after June 1, 1975, and hunting during the 10-day or one-year trial basis under the supervision of a hunter 21 or older.