Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets in the US, thanks to their unique personality and affectionate behavior.
These lizards originate from Australia, where they inhabit dry and semi-dry areas.
Bearded dragons are characterized by their spiky scales, friendly personalities, and varied diets.
That said, owning a bearded dragon in the US is not as easy as it may seem. Different states have different laws that determine the legality of keeping these lizards as pets.
Some states have strict laws that prohibit or regulate the ownership of these exotic animals, while others have no restrictions at all.
The following table summarizes the legal status of bearded dragons in each state, based on the information available from various sources.
Please note that this information may not be accurate or up-to-date, and it is always advisable to check with your local authorities before buying or keeping a bearded dragon as a pet.
Bearded Dragon Legality by State
| State | Legality | Regulations |
| Alabama | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Alaska | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Arizona | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Arkansas | Legal | No license or permit required |
| California | Legal | No license or permit required, but bearded dragons must be captive-bred and not taken from the wild |
| Colorado | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Connecticut | Illegal | Bearded dragons are prohibited as pets in Connecticut |
| Delaware | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Delaware |
| District of Columbia | Illegal | Bearded dragons are prohibited as pets in the District of Columbia |
| Florida | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Florida, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Georgia | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Georgia, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Hawaii | Illegal | Bearded dragons are prohibited as pets in Hawaii, as they are considered a threat to the native ecosystem |
| Idaho | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Illinois | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Illinois, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Indiana | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Indiana, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Iowa | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Iowa, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Kansas | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Kansas, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Kentucky | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Louisiana | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Louisiana, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Maine | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Maryland | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Maryland, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Massachusetts | Legal | No license or permit required, but bearded dragons must be captive-bred and not taken from the wild |
| Michigan | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Minnesota | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Mississippi | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Missouri | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Missouri, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| Montana | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Nebraska | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Nevada | Legal | No license or permit required |
| New Hampshire | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in New Jersey, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| New Mexico | Legal | No license or permit required |
| New York | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in New York, and the owner must comply with certain cage, identification, and record-keeping requirements |
| North Carolina | Legal | No license or permit required |
| North Dakota | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Ohio | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Oklahoma | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Oregon | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Rhode Island | Legal | No license or permit required |
| South Carolina | Legal | No license or permit required |
| South Dakota | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Tennessee | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Tennessee |
| Texas | Legal | No license or permit required, but bearded dragons must be captive-bred and not taken from the wild |
| Utah | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Vermont | License needed | A permit is required to possess a bearded dragon in Vermont |
| Virginia | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Washington | Illegal | Bearded dragons are prohibited as pets in Washington |
| West Virginia | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Wisconsin | Legal | No license or permit required |
| Wyoming | Legal | No license or permit required |
Arizona
Bearded dragons are legal to own in Arizona, and they do not require a permit or license to keep.
Owners must comply with the animal welfare and public health laws, such as providing adequate housing, food, water, veterinary care, and sanitation for their bearded dragons.
Owners must also prevent their bearded dragons from escaping or being released into the wild. Violating these laws can result in fines, confiscation, or criminal charges.
California
Bearded dragons are legal to own in California, but they must be captive-bred and not taken from the wild.
This is to prevent the introduction of invasive species and diseases into the native ecosystem.
Captive-bred bearded dragons can be purchased from licensed breeders or pet stores, and they do not require a permit or license to keep.
Reptile owners must comply with the animal welfare and public health laws, such as providing adequate housing, food, water, veterinary care, and sanitation for their bearded dragons.
Owners must also prevent their bearded dragons from escaping or being released into the wild. Violating these laws can result in fines, confiscation, or criminal charges.
Hawaii
Bearded dragons are prohibited as pets in the state of Hawaii and the laws are quite strict, there are no special permits that would allow a person to import or own a bearded dragon under any circumstances.
Hawaii considers bearded dragons to be a threat to the native ecosystem and has a zero-tolerance policy for any invasive species.
Indiana
To obtain a permit to possess a bearded dragon in Indiana, you need to fill out an application form and submit it to the Division of Fish and Wildlife of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
You can find the application form and the instructions on how to complete it on the DNR website.
You also need to provide proof of veterinary care, a description of the enclosure, and a microchip identification for your bearded dragon.
You are not allowed to breed, sell, or trade your bearded dragon.
North Carolina
Bearded dragons are legal to own in North Carolina, and they do not require a permit or license to keep.
Owners of bearded dragons in NC must comply with the animal welfare and public health laws, such as providing adequate housing, food, water, veterinary care, and sanitation for their bearded dragons.
Owners must also prevent their bearded dragons from escaping or being released into the wild.
Violating these laws can result in fines, confiscation, or criminal charges.
Texas
Bearded dragons are legal to own in Texas, but they must be captive-bred and not taken from the wild.
This is to prevent the introduction of invasive species and diseases into the native ecosystem.
Captive-bred bearded dragons can be purchased from licensed breeders or pet stores, and they do not require a permit or license to keep.
All owners must comply with the animal welfare and public health laws, such as providing adequate housing, food, water, veterinary care, and sanitation for their bearded dragons.
Owners must also prevent their bearded dragons from escaping or being released into the wild.
Violating these laws can result in fines, confiscation, or criminal charges.
Virginia
Bearded dragons are legal to own in Virginia, and they do not require a permit or license to keep.
Owners must comply with the animal welfare and public health laws, such as providing adequate housing, food, water, veterinary care, and sanitation for their bearded dragons.
Owners must also prevent their bearded dragons from escaping or being released into the wild.
Violating these laws can result in fines, confiscation, or criminal charges.
Bearded Dragon-inspired Gifts & Merchandise
As an amazon associate, we may earn a commission on eligible purchases.
BEARDED DRAGON QUICK LINKS
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.