Wildlife Control Agents
This site provides Wildlife Control Agents (WCA) with up-to-date information on regulations, report forms, reporting requirements, species-specific information, training material, frequently requested information, answers to your questions, links, and updates. Need assistance? Contact 919-707-0061.
Classes and Continuing Education
- Notice: This training is required for individuals wanting to become a licensed Wildlife Control Agent.
- Only licensed WCAs are eligible to register for the Alligator Control Agent (ACA) Course.
Wildlife Damage Control Agent Recertification Options
Continuing Education Opportunities:
- Trapper Education Certification (D9) - July 13, 2025, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Wake County Wildlife Club, 1313 Coley Rd., Durham, NC 27703.
- September 14, 2025 - Test Farm Research Station, 400 Camp Schaub Road, Waynesville NC, 28806. Pre-registration is required. Todd Menke, Education Coordinator.
- NCTA (North Carolina Trappers Association) 2025 Convention - Smithfield, NC. Date TBA. Trappers convention as CEUs with trapping demos all day. Register at the NC Trappers Association website.
- Online CEUs from NC WRC .
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are necessary for any professional. If you are a Wildlife Control Agent with a current license wishing to renew your license in 2025 so that you are legally able to practice wildlife control in North Carolina, then you must attend and complete at least one of the Commission-approved continuing education courses during the year. These courses include Trapper education, any NC WRC wildlife control course, the National Wildlife Control Operators Convention or take the online lessons and quiz below. This is part of the 15A NCAC 10H .1505 Rules and Regulations of the WCA license.
Below is a list of CEU approved courses that NC WRC recognizes through National Wildlife Control Operators Association NWCOA, you may register for each module using the links below. Proof of attending CEU courses is up to the license holder.
1. Bat Standards
The NWCOA Bat Standards is offered by NWCOA to aid in the survival and future of bats in North America, as well as to educate those who perform bat exclusion services in residential and commercial structures. The Bat Standards Certified Course (Part 1) covers bat biology (little brown, big brown, free-tailed, and pallid bats), bat behavior, bat identification, bat morphology, service agreement language for bat removal and guano removal, seasonal restrictions, inspection techniques, equipment, safety, detailed exclusion techniques, job pricing, decontamination techniques, rabies, bat handling, updated white-nose syndrome information, and much more.
This course is a one day, classroom style training course taught by Certified NWCOA Instructors. Upon completion of this course and successful passing of a test, the WCO will become NWCOA Bat Standards Certified. Successful students will also receive a certificate of completion and have use of the logo mark in marketing materials.
Topics Covered in this Course
Each topic below will be addressed to indicate the minimum standards:
- Bat Biology and Behavior
- Bat Identification
- Bat Morphology
- Uncertainty/Subjectivity
- Preliminary Bat Eviction/Venting
- Inspection
- Inspection Report and Service
- Agreement, Pricing and Proposal
- Detailed Exclusion Techniques
- Bat Eviction/Venting
- Post Eviction/Venting
- White-nose Syndrome (WNS)
- Public Health Concern – Guano
- Accumulations
- Public Health Concern – Rabies
- Exposure Conflicts
Purchase
2. Bird Management Level 1
The NWCOA Certified Bird Management Course, Part 1 will be offered by NWCOA to train WCOs that currently perform or wish to add residential and small commercial bird management to their wildlife management services. This course is a one-day, classroom style training course taught by Master NWCOA Instructors and Certified NWCOA Instructors.
Upon successful completion of this course and a test, the WCO will receive a certificate of completion, use of the logo mark and become a NWCOA Certified Bird Management Professional.
Topics Include:
- Laws and regulation
- Biology and behavior of commonly encountered bird species
- Damage identification
- Zoonotic disease
- Control methods
- Habitat modification: exclusion, frightening devices, shooing and trapping, and toxicants and repellents.
- Business management and customer relations
Bird Management online CEU Agenda
3. Zoonotic Disease Awareness
Those who work with or otherwise have contact with wildlife and other animals - and their parasites - need to be aware of the risks posed by transmissible infectious disease. This interactive full-day training program provides a broad overview of infectious and zoonotic disease and sheds light on key risks and dangers associated with the species and groups with which wildlife and pest control professionals typically interact. The engaging presentation includes real world scenarios and examples of disease transmission and devotes significant time to the subject of risk reduction and disease prevention.
Topics Covered in this Course
Each topic below will be addressed to indicate the minimum standards:
- Zoonotic Definitions
- High Level / Big Picture Perspectives
- Real World Wildlife Control Scenarios
- Challenges with Zoonoses
- Avoidance / Prevention
- Disinfection
- Vaccination Controversy
Click on any of the links below for the corresponding species-specific information
State Laws and Wildlife Resources Commission Rules
N.C. Administrative Code, Depredation Permits
N.C. Administrative Code, Wildlife Control Agent
Federal Laws
Code of Federal Regulations, Migratory Bird Permits
Lacey Act
Have Questions?
Contact the Regulated Activities and Permits Section (RAPS) at (919) 707-0061 or the Wildlife Helpline at (866) 318-2401 Monday-Friday from 8 AM-5 PM.
WCA License Renewal
In order to renew your WCA license for 2026 please show proof of CEUs by having a copy of the sign in sheet or receipt of course being taken.