Form
Bats: survey or research licence (level 2)
Get a licence to take or disturb bats using your hand, artificial light, endoscopes and hand-held nets to survey for science, research and education (CL18).
Documents
Details
This licence allows you to disturb or capture bats by hand or by using:
- torches
- endoscopes
- static hand-held nets
You can disturb but not handle hibernating bats.
You need a:
- level 1 licence if you only need to use a torch
- level 3 licence to use mist nets and acoustic lures
- level 4 licence to use harp traps
- separate personal licence to do anything not covered by this licence (for example to use rings and tags)
Register with Natural England
This is a class licence – you don’t need to apply for it but you must register with Natural England using the survey or research protected species form (A34) first.
You don’t need to send in this form if you have a personal survey licence for bats.
References
You usually need to send a reference form when you register for this licence if:
- you haven’t held a licence for the species or a similar species for the last 3 years
- you have a licence but want to add new methods
Report action taken
You must return a report of action taken under a bat survey or research licence form no later than 30 April each year, even if you’ve taken no action.
This form is also used to renew your registration.
Last updated 1 January 2018 + show all updates
- Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018
- Annual licence update 2017.
- Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016.
- new version of CL18 valid from 1 January to 31 December 2015.
- First published.