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Some federally listed species that occur within the Pacific Southwest Region require a practical examination be taken prior to obtaining a recovery permit for that species. Search this library for guidance and study guides for those species requiring an exam.

Practical identification exams are required for the following federally listed species that occur within the jurisdiction of the Pacific Southwest Region:

  • Casey's June beetle (Dinacoma caseyi)
  • Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino)
  • El Segundo blue butterfly (Euphilotes battoides allyni)
  • Laguna Mountains skipper (Pyrgus ruralis lagunae)
  • Delhi sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis)
  • Palos Verdes blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis)
  • Federally listed branchiopods

Included in the branchiopods grouping are:

  • Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta conservatio)
  • Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni)
  • San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis)
  • vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi)
  • vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi)

Please note that for all practical exams, one of the unacceptable errors (regardless of percentage correct) is for the applicant to misidentify the target species. For any species that require a practical examination, the exam must be taken and passed within 1 year of application for the permit. Test results are only valid for one year. Likewise, if it has been more than one year since an exam was taken for an issued recovery permit, the permittee must retake the exam when applying for a permit renewal. All individuals must re-take the test within one year of a permit action for that species to demonstrate continued competency in identification skills.

Exams are required within the previous 12 months of the date of an application when: 1) applying for a new permit; 2) applying for a permit renewal; 3) a permit holder makes a request to add you to their permit (List of Authorized Individuals); or 4) already listed on someone else's permit, but applying for their own individual permit.

The Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Service Office administers all practical exams for the above mentioned species. The Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Service Office administers the federally listed branchiopod exam. Please contact the Recovery Permit Coordinator at the field office nearest you for additional exam information. To set a time to take required exams, contact the applicable field office.

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