Orders are limited to temporary delegations of authority, emergency directives, special assignments, and initial policy or guidance for evolving activities. Director's orders are further described in the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, 012 FW 1. A listing of recently expired, revoked, or superseded Director's Orders is available by clicking Archived Director's Orders below.

Archived Director's Orders

Number
Date
Subject
Expiration Date
42
03/25/1992
Existing Manuals, Handbooks, and Other Directives
Amendment 13
12/31/2005
Amendment extending termination date
Amendment 14
12/31/2006
Amendment extending termination date
Amendment 15
12/31/2007
Amendment extending Order indefinitely and clarifying existing policy
N/A
109
03/28/2005
Use of Specimens Collected on Fish and Wildlife Service Lands
Amendment 20
03/12/2025
Extends termination date
Amendment 21
03/31/2026
Amendment to Remove Expiration Date
N/A
162
01/06/2004
Delegation of Authority - Chief, Law Enforcement
Amendment 6
03/24/2008
Updates references and delegation
Amendment 24
02/12/2026
Amendment to Extend Termination Date
03/31/2027
194
04/17/2008
Extension of the Redelegation of Authority for Intra-Service Endangered Species Act Section 7 Findings
Exhibit 1
04/17/2008
Regional and Headquarters Office Levels of Authority and Procedures
10/31/2026
199
10/20/2009
Program for Centralized Hiring of Refuge Officers
04/30/2026
205
08/06/2012
Training Requirements for Refuge's Federal Wildlife Officers
02/28/2027
210
02/25/2014
Administrative Actions to Strengthen U.S. Trade Controls for Elephant Ivory, Rhinoceros Horn, and Parts and Products of Other Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act
Appendix 1
02/25/2014
Guidance on the Antique Exception Under the Endangered Species Act
Amendment 1
05/15/2014
Amending dates in Order and several sections in Appendix 1
Amendment 2
07/31/2015
Clarifying information about ESA import permits
Amendment 3
07/18/2016
Amendment aligning Order with the 4(d) rule.
08/31/2026
212
12/09/2015
Using Available Legal and Regulatory Authority to Deny Wildlife Violators from Obtaining Federal Wildlife-Related Permits and Licenses
06/30/2026
213
12/11/2015
Waiver Process for Pre-Appointment Background Investigation Requirement to Attend Law Enforcement Training
06/30/2026
217
08/09/2016
Collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to Conserve Listed, Candidate, and Other At-Risk Species
01/31/2027
220
05/06/2019
Body-Worn Cameras
11/30/2026
227
09/08/2022
Fulfilling the Trust Responsibility to Tribes and the Native Hawaiian Community, and Other Obligations to Alaska Native Corporations and Alaska Native Organizations, in the Stewardship of Federal Lands and Waters
N/A
228
07/03/2024
Assistant Director for the Office of Conservation Investment - Renaming Title
N/A
230
12/16/2025
Requirements and Expectations – Review of the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System
06/30/2027
232
02/05/2026
Delegating the Director's Signature of Routine U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Directives
08/31/2027
233
02/02/2026
Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lands and Waters
N/A

Contact Directives Management Team

For questions regarding directives and guidance, please contact the Directives Management Team.