There is a quick start method whereby you put the seeds on wet paper towel and place the towel in a zip-lock bag and leave it in a warm place (such as on top of the fridge) for a few days.
I found some detailed guidance that came with my pepper seeds from
Pepper Joe's.
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How to Propagate Habanero Pepper Seed - Native to Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, this tender perennial is grown as an annual in the U.S. It requires a long growing season; most gardeners start habanero seeds indoors, 7 to 10 weeks (January 4 to January 25 in zone 8) before the last frost date (March 15 in zone 8).
Germination - Habanero peppers have a reputation for slow germination. Habanero seeds may begin sprouting in 11 days and can take up to 5 weeks to germinate.
Soil - When preparing the seed-starting trays, use a sterile seed-starting mix. Using warm water to moisten the seed-starting mix helps keep the wet mixture warm until the seeds are planted. Generally three habanero seeds are planted in each cell of the planting tray and covered with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the warm, moist mix.
Temperature - Peppers are tropical plants and require heat to germinate. While most fruit and vegetable seeds will sprout at soil temperatures of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, habanero peppers need warm soil to germinate, preferably between 90 and 95 degrees. Placing the seed-starting trays on a seedling heat mat with a thermostat controller allows you to maintain a consistently warm temperature. If a heat mat is not available, the top of the refrigerator or dryer are often the warmest places in the home.
Humidity - Habanero peppers are native to the Yucatan, where the air is hot and humid. To raise the humidity inside the seed-starting tray, either use a plastic lid or cover the tray with plastic wrap. Opening the lid for a few minutes every day allows the air to circulate inside the tray. If the planting mix looks dry, mist with warm water before closing the lid. After the seedlings emerge from the planting mix, remove the lid and place, the seed-starting tray in a brightly lit location.
Transplanting - When the seedlings are 2 to 4 inches tall and have two to four sets of leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into 4-inch pots. The habanero seedlings should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch and fertilized weekly with a half-strength 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer. When all chance of frost has passed and the soil temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees, transplant the seedlings into the garden or large outdoor planters.
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