Ohio § 1531.40

§ 1531.40.

(A) As used in this section: (1) “ Nuisance wild animal ” means a wild animal that interferes with the use or enjoyment of property, is causing

a threat to public safety, or may cause damage or harm to a structure, property, or

person. (2) “ Commercial nuisance wild animal control operator ” means an individual or business that provides nuisance wild animal removal or control

services for hire to the owner, the operator, or the owner's or operator's authorized

agent of property or a structure. (B)(1) No person shall provide nuisance wild animal removal or control services for hire

without obtaining a license under this section from the chief of the division of wildlife. (2) An applicant shall pay a license fee of forty dollars for the license.  The license shall be renewed annually prior to the first day of March and shall

expire on the last day of February.  All money collected under this division shall be deposited in the state treasury

to the credit of the wildlife fund created in section 1531.17 of the Revised Code . (3) An individual who is providing nuisance wild animal removal or control services for

hire under a license issued under this section is exempt from obtaining a hunting

license under section 1533.10 of the Revised Code , a fur taker permit under section 1533.111 of the Revised Code , or a fishing license under section 1533.32 of the Revised Code for the purposes of performing those services. (4) An individual who is employed by the state, a county, or a municipal corporation

and who performs nuisance wild animal removal or control services on land that is

owned by the state, county, or municipal corporation, as applicable, as part of the

individual's employment is exempt from obtaining a license under this section. (C)(1) Unless otherwise specified by division rule, a commercial nuisance wild animal control

operator and any individual who is employed by an operator that is engaged in activities

that are part of or related to the removal or control of nuisance wild animals, including

setting or maintaining traps, shall obtain a certification of completion of a course

of instruction that complies with rules adopted under division (F) of this section.  A certification shall be renewed every three years. (2) Except as provided in division (H) of this section, an individual who provides nuisance

wild animal removal or control services under a license issued under this section

shall comply with division (C)(1) of this section. (D) An operator that holds a license issued under this section is responsible for the

acts of each of the operator's employees in the removal or control of a nuisance wild

animal. (E) If an individual who is licensed under this section uses a pesticide in the removal

or control of a nuisance wild animal, the individual shall obtain the appropriate

license under Chapter 921. of the Revised Code. (F) Except as provided in division (H) of this section, the chief shall adopt rules under section 1531.10 of the Revised Code establishing all of the following: (1) Appropriate methods for trapping, capturing, removing, relocating, and controlling

nuisance wild animals by operators licensed under this section; (2) Procedures for issuing, denying, suspending, and revoking a license under this section; (3) Requirements governing the certification course required by division (C)(1) of this

section.  The rules shall specify the minimum contents of such a course, including public

safety and health, animal life history, the use of nuisance wild animal removal and

control devices, and the laws and rules governing those activities.  The rules also shall specify who may conduct such a course.  The rules shall require that, in order for an operator to receive a certification

of completion, the operator shall pass an examination. (4) Any other requirements and procedures necessary to administer and enforce this section. Rules shall be adopted under division (F) of this section only with the approval of

the director of natural resources. (G) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and with rules adopted under

this section, the chief may suspend or revoke a license issued under this section

if the chief finds that the holder of the license is violating or has violated this

chapter, Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code, or rules adopted under those chapters. (H) The chief shall issue a license to provide nuisance wild animal removal or control

services in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either

of the following applies: (1) The applicant holds a license in another state. (2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a

private certification as described in that chapter as an individual who provides nuisance

wild animal removal or control services in a state that does not issue that license.