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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.

The new NJELS retains the same functionality as our previous system. All customer records and Conservation ID Numbers (CIDs) remain the same. However, the new system has many useful and updated features, including:

  • Licenses, permits and stamps purchased online can be printed and used immediately.
  • A newly designed web interface - the website is designed to be more user-friendly.
  • Customers can connect with the device of their choice. Regardless of how one chooses to connect (desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone), customers are treated to the same website features.
  • Customers will be able to see what they purchased the previous three years.
  • ALL license agents can sell all products. There are no limitations for license agent sales. Items like the Buddy Fishing License and crabbing or shellfish licenses are now available from every agent.

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.

8. IF I LOSE MY LICENSES/PERMITS, CAN I STILL GET A DUPLICATE?
Yes, and now it is even easier. Duplicates are available at all participating license agents and can also be printed at home, regardless of where the original purchase was made.

  • Internet/mobile customers may also request a durable license for an additional fee.
  • For Firearm and All-Around licenses, the system will generate a new 15-day temporary PDF copy and Aspira will follow up with a mailing of the license on durable stock.
  • Duplicate Hunter Education cards will also be available through the new system. They can be purchased and printed by the customer (NJ Verified Hunter Education only).
  • A $2.00 fee is charged for duplicates.

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

11. ARE THERE ADDITIONAL ELECTRONIC LICENSE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW FEATURES?
Yes! These include:

  • Multiple customers may be added to one transaction beginning in 2020, provided that each customer has already completed their Child Support Certification.
    • A person can make purchases for all family members in a single transaction.
    • Buddy Fishing Licenses may be purchased online beginning in 2020 or at license agents.
    • A mentor may purchase licenses and permits for her or his apprentice.
  • Electronic Harvest Reporting will replace former reporting methods. Electronic harvest reporting for wild turkey, coyote, beaver and otter will be phased in during 2020.
  • Hunters will have access to their Harvest Report Records and may initially view up to three years of harvest report records.
  • Federal Duck Stamps will eventually be available through the new system and an announcement will be made at that time.

12. CAN I HAVE MY LICENSE PDF ON MY CELLPHONE TO PROVE I HAVE PURCHASED A LICENSE?
No, all licenses and permits still need to be displayed on outer clothing. (See #4 above)

13. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR HELP?
If you are experiencing difficulty using the license web site and need assistance, have not received your license document(s) in the mail within 10 days, or have questions on payment and charges to your credit card, contact Aspira at 866-773-8450 or by email at consumersupporthf@AspiraSupport.com. Support hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST every day with the exception of recognized holidays.

14. WHAT IS THE WILDLIFE HABITAT SUPPORTER PROGRAM?
This voluntary donation program allows people to help support New Jersey Fish and Wildlife’s conservation efforts. Donors who contribute $25.00 or more will be sent a collectible “Wildlife Habitat Supporter” decal as a thank you gift.

15. IS A DONATION TO THE WILDLIFE HABITAT SUPPORTER PROGRAM TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
Your donation may be tax-deductible. Please consult with your tax professional or the IRS. The purchase of an item which results in a donation to the Division will not affect the outcome of a criminal or civil matter pending with the Division or the Department.

16. WHY IS THE SALTWATER REGISTRY PART OF THE LICENSE SYSTEM?
Convenience: It was moved to the license system for 2024 to make it easier “one stop shopping” for those who also participate in shellfish harvesting, crabbing, freshwater fishing, and hunting. The Saltwater Registration is still not a license but is procured through the same process as licenses and permits. Customers will not be charged for their Saltwater Registrations. Customers can still save the document to their computer and/or log back in and reprint as many times as necessary.

17. WHO NEEDS TO REGISTER?

  • Individual recreational saltwater anglers 16 and older
  • For-hire vessel captains/owners who take individuals recreational saltwater fishing

For more information, visit https://www.saltwaterregistry.nj.gov/

18. WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE SALTWATER REGISTRY AND/OR SALTWATER REGULATIONS AND FISHING?

For license and regulation questions, or problems with your customer profile, contact the Division at 609-292-2965 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or e-mail NJDFWLicenses@dep.nj.gov.