License Agent Information

License Agent Seal

Prospective License Agents

Thank you for your interest in becoming an authorized License Agent (Agent) for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)! Our Agents issue licenses through our Internet Point of Sale (IPOS) Equipment and receive a 5% handling fee for each fee based item sold. To become an Agent you must meet and agree with the Agent Requirements listed below, complete an online Agent Application, and sign a License Agent Contract to complete the process.

Agent Requirements

  1. High Speed Internet Connection
    Each location (outlet) that would like to provide license sales must have a high speed Internet connection (cable, DSL, or satellite) that can be connected to our IPOS terminal. For business that are not in an area with high speed Internet, you must inform CDFW and obtain written approval to use a Dial-Up Internet connection.
  2. Counter Space for IPOS Equipment
    Each outlet will need a secure counter space to place the IPOS Equipment. The IPOS cabling is minimal; however, cabling for Internet connection and a power source must be considered when locating the IPOS equipment.
    monitor and printer
    • IPOS Terminal - 14-inch diagonal display panel, 13.5" (L) x 9" (D) X 11.5" (H)
    • License Printer - 8.8" (L) x 7" (W) x 6" (H)
  3. Equipment Deposit
    Each Agent must submit a $1,000 IPOS Equipment Deposit, for each IPOS terminal, prior to contract approval. The Equipment Deposit is refundable upon contract dissolution, if the IPOS Equipment is returned within the terms of the contract.
  4. License Agent Terminal Support Fee
    ll outlets are subject to a $15.00 weekly License Agent Terminal and Support Fee (LATS). The LATS Fee is waived for outlets that meet our annual minimum sales threshold of $6,000. High volume sales outlets that require a second set of IPOS Equipment, must meet $125,000 in annual sales for the LATS fee to be waived for the second terminal. Every January, we review prior year’s sales to determine if the LATS Fee may be waived for each outlet.
  5. Bank Account
    Agents must provide a bank account that allows for Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) at the time of completing the online Agent Application. All license sales revenue (except the Agent Handling Fee) at all times belongs to the State and must be accounted for separately from your other funds. License sales revenues, weekly LATS fees, and any additional charges incurred are remitted to CDFW via an ACH/EFT transfer on a weekly basis (Wednesday) for the prior week's (Saturday - Friday) sales (CDFW Billing Schedule (PDF)(opens in new tab)). Agent handling fees are never included in the funds remitted to CDFW.

Responsibility and Training

Agents are responsible for all actions of their employees and should ensure that all staff are properly trained and have their own login and password for the IPOS Equipment prior to performing license sales. Agents are responsible for, but not limited to, the following actions:

  • Issuing licenses accurately and in compliance with all laws, policies, and issuing instructions provided by the CDFW
  • Maintaining customer data confidentiality
  • Charging the appropriate fees, Agents are prohibited from charging more than authorized by California Statutes
  • Properly caring for the IPOS Equipment and reporting any hardware or software related issues
  • Returning all IPOS Equipment timely (replacements and upon account closure)

Each outlet is sent an IPOS Installation and Retail User Guide; plus, our License Agent Training Videos are easily accessible on the sales terminal, once received. Additional over the phone training can be scheduled, if needed.

Getting Started

If you agree with the requirements above and want to start the online Agent Application process or if you have any questions, contact our Agent Account Representative at (916) 902-9292 or email Agent@wildlife.ca.gov.

Existing/Authorized License Agents

Manuals and Instructions

Manuals and instructions are included in the initial shipment of the CDFW Internet Point of Sale (IPOS) equipment, providing assistance with our Automated License Data System (ALDS) IPOS equipment and sales process and are available upon request. For more in-depth training, Agents should contact our Agent Help Desk (916) 928-2537 or Technical Support 1 (800) 964-7812 for additional assistance.

Agent IPOS Training

Prior to starting sales, the staff responsible for CDFW sales should complete training. Training videos can be viewed from the Agent Services Website(opens in new tab), or directly on the sales terminal after logging into License Sales. If additional training is needed, please contact us at (916) 902-9197 or email Agent@wildlife.ca.gov.

Display Posters

To better assist customers and sales staff, Agents should display the following posters near your CDFW license sales area.

Account Changes

Agents must update us with any changes that may affect an account. The changes must be submitted in writing by the owner or designated contact on file.

Canceled, Credited and Returned Items

All incorrectly sold or printed CDFW Items must be canceled and returned to the CDFW's License and Revenue Branch timely to help prevent unnecessary account charges. The CDFW cannot authorize credit if a document was not canceled timely and was duplicated by another location, is expired or returned six months after the sales date, or returned without a valid reason. Please reference the Agent Reprint and Cancel Policies (PDF)(opens in new tab) for more information.

  • Canceled Documents: Agents should immediately cancel incorrectly sold items through the CDFW terminal's Administration Menu after the error occurs. Canceled documents are immediately credited to your account and must be returned within 30 days. If canceled documents are not returned, your account is charged at face value for the unreturned canceled document.
  • Non-Canceled Documents: CDFW Items that were sold incorrectly (e.g., Gift Voucher not redeemed correctly) that could not be canceled, should immediately contact our Agent Help Desk for assistance at (916) 928-2537. All CDFW Items being returned must be submitted on a Document Return Form (PDF)(opens in new tab), include an explanation for the return, and any supporting documentation to substantiate the claim for account credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Support Contacts

License Agent Assistance

Agent Sales Support Line
(M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST)

Technical Support Help Desk
(4:00 a.m. - Midnight PST)

  • Telephone (800) 964-7812

Agent Account Representative

Agent Services Website

To access the Agent Services Website, you must be granted permission by the CDFW and obtain a username and password. This website allows you to complete pending agent/outlet applications and view reports on your current agent account.

License and Revenue Branch
P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 | Sales Offices
(916) 928-5805 | LRB@wildlife.ca.gov