NEW STATE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR
POSSESSION/TRANSPORTATION/
SALE OF CERTAIN SNAKES
As mandated by House Bill 12 (80th Texas Legislature), an annual permit for the
possession of certain non-indigenous snake species, including the listed snakes
purchased as pets, is required for recreational or commercial activity involving any
of the following:
• Any venomous snake not indigenous to Texas,
• African Rock Python (Python sebae),
• Asiatic Rock Python (Python molurus),
• Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus),
• Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus),
• Southern African Python (Python natalensis); and
• Hybrids of the snakes listed above.
AVAILABLE: April 1, 2008
FEES AND ACTIVITIES ALLOWED UNDER PERMIT:
$20.00 – Recreational Controlled Exotic Snake (RCES) Permit (Item 580):
• Allows possession and/or transportation of an unlimited number of snakes, but does not allow sale.
• Sales receipt for purchase of affected snake serves as a 21-day temporary RCES permit for purchaser.
$60.00 – Commercial Controlled Exotic Snake (CCES) Permit (Item 581):
• Allows possession, transportation, and/or sale of an unlimited number of snakes.
• CCES permit required and must be maintained on premises for each permanent place of business.
• Legible copy of CCES permit required on permittee’s person if regulated activity occurs off-site.
• Daily activity log for purchases and sales must be maintained and available for inspections.
The Commercial Controlled Exotic Snake Permit Report (PWD 1195) is available on-line at
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/permits/
For controlled exotic snakes imported to Texas by common carrier, a bill of lading shall function as a
temporary permit until the controlled exotic snakes are received by the consignor indicated on the
manifest. For controlled exotic snakes transported through Texas by common carrier, a bill of lading
shall function as a temporary permit during transit.
Permits are available at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offices and wherever hunting and fishing licenses
are sold (aproximately 1,700 locations). There are no application requirements. For more information, call
(512) 389-4381, 1-800-792-1112 (option 9, then 4381), or go to
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/permits/
PENALTIES:
• Penalty for conviction for a violation of CESP rules is a Parks and Wildlife Class C misdemeanor
($25 – $500 fine).
• Penalty for conviction of releasing an affected snake from captivity is a Parks and Wildlife Class A
misdemeanor ($500 – $4,000 fine and/or one year in jail).
Persons convicted of a violation of CESP law may not obtain a permit for five years thereafter.
PWD PR L2000-1551 (2/08)