Frequently Asked Questions

New Jersey Fish and Wildlife has implemented a new license issuing system. Staff is working diligently with the license vendor, Aspira, to correct any glitches customers or agents may encounter. We ask for your understanding and patience if this affects you. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the new system:

  1. When was the new system implemented?
  2. What are the advantages of the new system?
  3. Has my Conservation Identification Number (CID) changed?
  4. Can I print my licenses and permits at home?
  5. Why are there additional fees (service charges) associated with the sale of licenses/permits?
  6. How much is the service charge?
  7. Do other states sell licenses/permits this way and charge these extra fees?
  8. If I lose a license or permit, can I still get a duplicate?
  9. Will I still have to purchase my Apprentice Hunting License or Buddy Fishing License at a license agent?
  10. Will the list of license agents remain the same?
  11. Are there additional Electronic License System Improvements and New Features?
  12. Can I have my license pdf on my cellphone to prove I purchased a license?
  13. Who can I contact for help?
  14. What is the Wildlife Habitat Supporter program?
  15. Is a donation to the Wildlife Habitat Supporter program tax-deductible?
  16. Why is the Saltwater Registry part of the License System?
  17. Who Needs to Register?
  18. Where can I find information on the Saltwater Registry and/or saltwater regulations and fishing?

1. WHEN WAS THE NEW SYSTEM IMPLEMENTED?
The New Jersey Electronic License System (NJELS) became operational October 16, 2019.

2. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE NEW SYSTEM?
Fish and Wildlife is prioritizing the customer experience and customer convenience in the new license system.

3. HAS MY CONSERVATION IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (CID#) CHANGED?
No. All customer records and Conservation ID Numbers (CIDs) remain the same. Not only is your CID the same, but any hunter education/prior license information that was in your profile was migrated to the new platform.

4. CAN I PRINT MY LICENSES/PERMITS AT HOME?
Yes, all licenses/permits will be available to be printed at home.

A significant license system change is that online purchases will now be a print-at-home* license. This popular option is successful in many other states and is especially beneficial for those whose plans change at a moment's notice.

* PLEASE NOTE: New Jersey firearm laws necessitate that all firearm hunting licenses (Firearm License, Apprentice Firearm License and All-Around Sportsman License) must also be printed on durable material and sent by mail. Online purchasers of these licenses may print a temporary, paper license valid for 15 days from the date of purchase and use that until the one printed on durable material arrives by mail.

The print-at-home license must be treated with the same respect as a license printed on durable material.
ALL licenses must still be displayed, regardless of the print material. Anyone caught falsifying information on a license or permit will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

5. WHY ARE THERE ADDITIONAL FEES (SERVICE CHARGES) ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALE OF LICENSES/PERMITS?
The license system is dependent upon a modern computer network. As with most online purchases, all New Jersey Electronic License System internet purchases are subject to an additional convenience fee and credit card transaction fee passed on to the customer.

To avoid these minor fees, customers may go to any license agent and pay only the item's face value.

6. HOW MUCH IS THE SERVICE CHARGE?
Those who choose to purchase their items online will be charged an additional transaction fee (3.9%) and a credit card processing fee (2.5%) per total transaction.

For example, the purchase of a resident fishing license with trout stamp amounts to $33.00. Add to this the transaction fee of $1.29 (which is 3.9% of $33) and credit card processing fee of $0.86 (which is 2.5% of $34.29), for an online purchase total of $35.15.

7. DO OTHER STATES SELL LICENSES/PERMITS THIS WAY AND CHARGE THESE EXTRA FEES?
Yes. Numerous states using similar vendors charge fees for their licenses/permits.

Currently, for example, Florida charges handling fees of $2.25 or $1.75 plus 2.5% surcharge of the total sale for all online recreational license sales. Georgia's transaction fees for licenses are $2.50 if purchasing online, $3.00 if purchasing through an agent, or $5.00 if purchasing by phone.

9. WILL I STILL HAVE TO PURCHASE MY APPRENTICE HUNTING LICENSE OR BUDDY FISHING LICENSE AT A LICENSE AGENT?
Apprentice Licenses are now available online with the new system. Buddy Licenses will be available online beginning in 2020. You will even be able to purchase Buddy Fishing Licenses for yourself and your Buddy in one transaction, provided your Buddy has completed their Child Support Certification online prior to purchase.

10. WILL THE LIST OF LICENSE AGENTS REMAIN THE SAME?
Fish and Wildlife does not expect many changes to the number of active license agents, however, customers are reminded to check with your local agent first. Any agents that do not have the new equipment will NOT be able to sell our licenses until they can operate under the new system.
License Agents