Plant Industry - PCP Permits

Protected Plant Permits/Certificates of Origin

North Carolina regulations specify that activities such as collecting, selling/trading, and purchasing protected plant species require a permit or certificate of origin issued by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. The information below summarizes the regulations [02 NCAC 48F .0400] and operational procedures into a written description as well as a flowchart below to help you determine if your activities will require a protected plant permit/certificate of origin or not. If you have any questions, you may contact us directly at (919) 707-3746.

THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT ISSUE PERMITS FOR GINSENG HARVEST. THOSE INTENDING TO HARVEST GINSENG NEED WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE LANDOWNER OR AGENCY.
Application for North Carolina Ginseng Dealer Permit
More Information for NC Ginseng Harvesters and Dealers

SALE OR TRADE OF PROPAGATED GOLDENSEAL REQUIRES A CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN. SCROLL DOWN TO CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN SELECTION BELOW FOR DETAILS.
Goldenseal Certificate of Origin Application

Is my plant a protected species? Click the link to download a copy of the NC Protected Plant List.

Which type of permit do I need? Click the link to download a copy of the flowchart shown below.

PROTECTED PLANT PERMIT is required for:

Collecting/Rescuing Protected Plants: A PROTECTED PLANT PERMIT is required when rescuing or collecting (scientific collections included) protected plants species on land you do not own—even with landowner permission. This is true for whole plants as well as plant parts (i.e. seeds, leaves, rhizomes, etc.). If you are collecting protected plants or plant parts from your own property and NOT selling or giving them away, then no permit is needed.
Purchasing/Acquiring/Obtaining Protected Plants: Individuals who sell protected species to plant in a home garden do not need a permit; however, a permit IS needed (1) to acquire and relocate a protected species in a non-garden setting—this includes rescuing plants, (2) to propagate, or (3) to re-sell, auction, or otherwise give away a protected species. All commercial operations regarding purchase of protected plant species will require a CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN.

Individuals, organizations, and businesses selling any live plants and other nursery stock in North Carolina must register as a nursery with NCDA&CS . More information can be found at the Nursery Registration page regarding establishing a commerical operation (i.e. nursery).

To apply for a Protected Plant Permit, download the Protected Plant Permit Application Form and email a completed copy to Kathryn Loughran (kathryn.loughran@ncagr.gov). Please include your name on all documents and attachments. You must also include a copy of the written permission from the land owner/ land manager to collect or otherwise work with protected plant species. For private land owners this can be in the form of a signed, dated letter; for public lands, contact the land manager to appy for permission with their agency. If your project requires federal permits, you must also submit a copy with your proposal. Lastly, be sure to indicate if you will be working with multiple protected plant species and be sure to clearly state how they will be handled differently if this is the case.

The issuing of permits is a multi-step process that can take months. Please apply for permits as far in advance as possible to ensure that we have sufficient time to review and process your request.

CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN is required for:

Propagating and/or Offering (Selling/Trading/Bartering/or Exchanging) Protected Plants: No wild collected protected plants (or plant parts) may be offered for sale or trade. Only propagated stock may be sold, traded, or otherwise exchanged, even if for free. Anyone wishing to propagate and/or offer protected plants must acquire CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN for each species. These forms are obtainable through the NCDA&CS nursery inspector assigned to your county.

To apply for a CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN, contact the nursery inspector assigned to your county. More information can be found at the Nursery Registration page regarding establishing a commerical operation (i.e. nursery).

Non-Nursery CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN: If offering protected plant parts for sale or trade that do not meet the definition of nursery stock, request a Certificate of Origin from the Plant Conservation Program office. This situation is most common for Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). If offering Goldenseal not classified as nursery stock, download the Goldenseal Certificate of Origin Application and email to Kathryn Loughran (kathryn.loughran@ncagr.gov).

PLANT CONSERVATION PRESERVE ACCESS PERMIT is required for :

Any visit to a Plant Conservation Preserve. Permitted activities include educational tours, research, and land management.

To apply for a PRESERVE ACCESS PERMIT, download the Preserve Access Application Form and email a completed copy to Kathryn Loughran (kathryn.loughran@ncagr.gov).

The issuing of permits is a multi-step process that can take 1-3 months. Please apply for permits as far in advance as possible to ensure that we have sufficient time to review and process your request.

REDLAIR DEER HUNTING PERMIT is required for:

Deer hunting permits for the Redlair Plant Conservation Preserve, Gaston County, are available by application. A limit of 25 permits per year may be issued in the order they are requested. Applications are accepted between January 1st and February 15th for the upcoming hunting season. Deer hunting permits are non-transferable and will only be issued to applicants who can demonstrate that they have a valid hunting license issued by NC Wildlife Resources Commission for the current year. All North Carolina wildlife rules and regulations must be adhered to on the preserve. Additional conditions may also apply and will be detailed in a permit packet.

To apply for a Redlair Plant Conservation Preserve DEER HUNTING PERMIT, fill out the permit application and the liability release form and email them to Geoffrey Austin (Geoffrey.Austin@ncagr.gov)

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