The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise the wildlife rehabilitation permit rule to allow the expertise of a falconer to assist in the rehabilitation of raptors. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and FWC currently share regulatory authority and permitting responsibilities related to falconry in Florida. The Service is relinquishing permitting responsibilities to states, Indian Tribes and U.S. territories with “certified” (by the Service) falconry regulations. Florida must have certified rules in place by January 1, 2014, in order for falconry to continue in the state. During the revision of the falconry rules we identified additionally affected rules in which there is a connection to wildlife rehabilitators and falconers. Falconers possess expertise in preparing raptors for release to the wild that can be utilized by rehabilitators. They also provide an opportunity to allow transfer of certain raptors to falconers for care and use.