North Dakota Guide and Outfitter Handbook and Test Guide

Handbook for those wanting to be licensed as a guide or outfitter in North Dakota.

(Last updated 7/21/2025)

“Guides” are defined as “an individual who is employed by or contracts with a licensed outfitter to help the outfitter furnish personal services for the conduct of outdoor recreational activities directly related to the conduct of activities for which the employing outfitter is licensed.”

An “Outfitter” means a person that holds the person's business operation out to the public for hire or consideration; provides facilities or services for consideration; maintains, leases, or otherwise provides compensation for the use of land and which receives compensation from a third party for use of that land; or otherwise uses equipment or accommodations for consideration for the conduct of outdoor recreational activities, including hunting animals or birds and fishing on lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams. An outfitter may act as a guide. State law creates two categories of outfitters- a hunting or a fishing outfitter. An individual can be licensed as both a hunting outfitter and fishing outfitter. The only class of “guide” is a hunting guide. Guides and outfitters can be resident or nonresident.