Department of Fish and Game Web Maintenance July 12-13

License Agent Questions and Answers

LICENSE AGENT ACCOUNTS

Q. When are license sales reports due?

A. Agents with consignment accounts are required to submit a sales report by the 20th of each month, without exception (see page 7 for additional information). Agents with COD accounts are required to submit a sales report at the end of each license season (see page 8 for additional information).

Q. What happens if I don’t sell any full books in a month?

A. The terms of your License Agent Agreement requires you to report once every month. If you do not have any fully sold books, you must complete a sales report indicating "Zero" sales for the month (see page 7 for additional information).

Q. When is a license sales report considered delinquent? How are penalty and interest charges assessed?

A. Monthly sales reports are considered delinquent if they are not received by the 20th day of the month. If the fees for a fully sold book are not received by the 30th day of the month following the month in which the last license in the book was sold, penalties and interest will be assessed. Interest is calculated retroactive to the 21st day of the month (see page 5 for additional information).

Q. I have a new employee who was unaware of reporting deadlines. Can my penalty and interest charges be waived?

A. No. Your License Agent Agreement holds you responsible for the actions of your employees.

Q. Can the Surety Bond requirements be waived if I have received a 60-day Delinquency Notice?

A. No. Agents are required to provide a bond, payable to the DFG, in an amount equal to the value of licenses consigned, if they do not report license sales as required by law. An Agent may request a waiver of the bonding requirements if they have complied with ALL license sales and reporting requirements for 12 consecutive months.

Q: Can I add an additional charge if a credit card is used to purchase a license?

A: No. Pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 1055 the handling charge shall be the Agent’s only compensation for services. Violation of this law is cause for immediate termination of an Agent’s account.

Q. If I receive a license order and a license book is missing, am I liable for this book?

A. No. However, you MUST notify the License Agent Order Desk of the discrepancy within 5 business days. If the discrepancy is not reported to the DFG within 5 business days you will be liable for the license book (see page 4 "Receiving Orders").

Q. If I sell my business, will the new owners be able to continue selling my licenses?

A. No. License Agent Accounts are nontransferable. If you sell your business you must notify the DFG in writing 30 days prior to the sale of your business and return all licenses and the fees collected from the sale of licenses to the DFG. In addition, you will be responsible for all outstanding inventory consigned to your account. The new owners must apply to the DFG’s License and Revenue Branch for their own License Agent Account.

LICENSE ISSUANCE

Q. If a customer requests to purchase a hunting license and they do not have a previous license to show as proof of hunter education, what do I do?

A. If the customer has purchased a license in any previous year they may sign a declaration. By signing a declaration the customer is swearing under penalty of perjury that they purchased a California hunting license. They also must indicate, to the best of their knowledge, when and where the license was purchased.

IMPORTANT: Completed declarations must be attached to the hunting license book the license was issued from. Failure to comply is cause for termination of your License Agent Account.

If the hunter has never purchased a California hunting license and they do not have a Hunter Education Certificate they must take a Hunter Education class (see page 28).

Q. What if I make a mistake when completing a license?

A: The license must be voided and a new license completed. Important: A voided license must be attached to the book it was removed from, in order for the Agent to receive credit.

Q: What if the license buyer comes back after the license has been issued and wants to purchase additional stamps?

A: Additional stamps, such as an Ocean Enhancement Stamp, or Second-rod Stamp may be added to the license at any time after the license has been issued.

Q. Can I issue a duplicate license if the customer only has his/her cash register receipt?

A. No. The customer MUST surrender their Application for Duplicate License to obtain a duplicate license at a reduced fee. If the customer has lost their Application for Duplicate License the customer must repurchase the license at full fee.

Q. Do fishing and/or hunting licenses have to be completely filled out and signed at the time of issuance?

A. Pursuant to Section 705, Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations, Agents are required to ensure that the following information about the licensee is contained on the license prior to issuance:

  1. True Name
  2. Residence Address
  3. Date of Birth
  4. Height
  5. Weight
  6. Color of Eyes
  7. Color of Hair
  8. Gender

Note: If the license is being purchased as a gift the license must contain the licensee’s true name and residence address. Physical description and signature must be completed by the licensee prior to engaging in license activities.

Q. Can I issue a refund on a sport fishing or hunting license?

A. No. Refunds will not be issued for sport fishing or hunting licenses, stamps, cards or other entitlements. These items are considered valid and in use from the date issued and are therefore not refundable. Inquiries regarding refund policies should be referred to the DFG’s License and Revenue Branch (see page 20 for exceptions).