Freshwater fishing and hunting licenses for people with disabilities

If you are blind, have an intellectual disability, or have paraplegia and are applying for a license for the first time, you must:

• Fill out an application for the free license.
• Submit a copy of a Certificate of Blindness issued by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, or have your doctor sign a form certifying that you have an intellectual disability or paraplegia.
• Mail the documents to:

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
ATTN: Licensing
100 Cambridge Street, 6th floor
Boston, MA 02114

Your license will be mailed to you. After you've applied the first time, you’ll be able to renew and print your license online without submitting another form.

Blind persons applying for a fishing license must submit an application along with a copy of the Certificate of Blindness issued by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

Intellectually disabled persons applying for a fishing license must submit an application along with the accompanying Physician Certification Form signed by a physician certifying that the applicant is an intellectually disabled person within the meaning of M.G.L. c. 123B §1, which is defined the reunder as, “a person who, as a result of inadequately developed or impaired intelligence, as determined by clinical authorities as described in the regulations of the Department of Developmental Services, is substantially limited in the person’s ability to learn or adapt, as judged by established standards available for the evaluation of a person’s ability to function in the community.” As provided in the Department of Developmental Services regulations at 115 CMR 2.01, Intellectual Disability means in pertinent parts that, consistent with the standard contained in the 11th edition of the American Association of Intellectual Disabilities: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports (2010), significantly sub- average intellectual functioning existing concurrently with and related to significant limitations in adaptive functioning. Intellectual Disability originates before age 18. If you are uncertain about the definition of Intellectually Disabled please contact the Department of Developmental Services at (617) 727-5608 or via email at dds.info@mass.gov.

Paraplegic residents of the Commonwealth applying for a hunting, fishing, or sporting license must submit an application, a copy of a Hunter Education Certificate or previous license, and the accompanying Physician Certification Form signed by a physician certifying that the applicant has a total paralysis of the lower half of the body, or has a condition that prevents any use of the lower limbs.