Pre-warp civilization was a term used by the Federation to define any society that had not yet discovered and utilized faster-than-light space travel like the warp drive. Pre-warp cultures could range in technology level from extremely primitive, such as a pre-industrial society; to that of Earth in the mid-21st century. (Star Trek Into Darkness; Star Trek: First Contact; TOS: "The Omega Glory")
The Prime Directive of the Federation interdicted any disturbance of such civilizations, including any form of contact, until a culture had independently proven its warp-capability. Otherwise, any involvement in the development of pre-warp societies could result in the contamination of their culture, thereby altering their natural evolution. Usually pre-warp civilizations were limited to their homeworld. However, their technical abilities could be sophisticated enough to expand throughout their star system. (ENT: "Dear Doctor"; Star Trek: Insurrection)
The Federation did allow limited covert research to be conducted on pre-warp civilizations, usually by means of a duck blind. (TNG: "Who Watches The Watchers"; Star Trek: Insurrection) Observers could also be placed amongst a civilization as a prelude to first contact. (TNG: "First Contact")
Pre-warp civilizations 
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- 892-IV natives
- Akaali
- Allos' species
- Barkonians
- Boraalans
- Coalition of Madena species
- Dremans
- Edo
- Ekosians
- Fabrini
- Fantome's species
- Gosis' species
- Hanonians
- Iotians
- Kelis' species
- Kelpiens
- Loque'eque
- Malcorians
- Menk
- Mintakans
- Neural natives
- Nibirans
- Omega IV natives
- Ornarans
- Takarians
- Vaalians
- Valakians
- Ventu
- Zeons
