| Charter Licenses | Resident Fees | Non-Resident Fees |
|---|---|---|
|
All licenses can be purchased at the VMRC OPERATIONS STATION. For application or renewal materials, click here. Renewals are also available online (see below). |
||
| *CHARTER/HEADBOAT-6 & UNDER PASSENGERS | $190.00 | $380.00 |
| *CHARTER/HEADBOAT-MORE THAN 6 PASSENGERS | $190.00 plus $5.00 per passenger over 6 | $380.00 plus $5.00 per passenger over 6 |
| CLASS A FISHING GUIDE LICENSE **(VA & MD Waters) | $100.00 | $200.00 |
| CLASS B FISHING GUIDE LICENSE (VA Waters Only) | $100.00 | $200.00 |
| **NON-RESIDENT FISHING GUIDE RECIPROCITY PERMIT | N/A | No Cost |
| *When the same applicant purchases a Class A or Class B fishing guide license prior to purchasing one charter/headboat license as required by § 28.2-302.8 of the Code of Virginia, the fee for that charter/headboat license shall be reduced by the cost of the fishing guide license. | ||
| **For more information on VA/MD reciprocity for fishing guides, see MD/VA Reciprocity Agreement Amendment and MD/VA Reciprocity Agreement Amendment | ||
| Other Commercial Business Licenses | Resident Fees | Non-Resident Fees |
|---|---|---|
|
All licenses can be purchased at the VMRC OPERATIONS STATION. |
||
| BOAT RENTAL | $14.00 per boat max. $703.00 | $18.00 per boat max. $1270.00 |
| COMMERCIAL FISH PIER | $83.00 | |
| COMMERCIAL PIER-SALTWATER RECREATIONAL, OPTIONAL | $632.00 in addition to $83 fee above | |
In order to run charters in the Chesapeake Bay, the tidal tributaries, and Virginia coastal waters, a captain must obtain the follow licenses:
If a captain holds a Maryland guide license (Unlimited Tidal Fish License or TFL; Fishing Guide License or FGR/FGN), a no-cost Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit can be obtained through VMRC to operate charters in Virginia waters.
Class A Virginia Guide Licenses are limited-entry licenses which allow charters to operate in both Virginia and Maryland state waters. VMRC allows 240 resident Class A Guide Licenses and 38 non-resident Class A Guide Licenses per year. If all licenses are allotted for the current calendar year, applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
Class B Virginia Guide Licenses allow charters to operate only in Virginia state waters. There is no limit to the number of Class B Virginia Guide Licenses issued annually. To obtain a Class B Guide License, please see below for the new/renewal application link.
Please contact the Department of Wildlife Resources for questions about recreational fishing in Virginia freshwater areas.
To apply as a new applicant for a Class A Guide License, please fill out the Class A Fishing Guide License New Applicant Form for pre-authorization.
To apply for or renew a Charter/Headboat License, Class A Fishing License (only if pre-authorized), Class B Fishing Guide License, or a Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit, fill out and submit a For Hire New Applicant or Renewal Form.
Existing licensees will receive a letter around the fourth week of November and an email on or around December 1st of the current license year listing their charter/head boat and fishing guide licenses up for renewal. The December 1st email will also include a link for existing licensees to renew these licenses online. If after December 1st, an existing licensee cannot find the renewal email and wishes to renew online, email Fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov with subject line "Charter Boat Online Renewal".
All permits and licenses expire on December 31st of the year listed on the permit or license.
Certain fisheries and/or species require an additional no-cost permit for private and charter/headboat vessels. As of June 2025, VMRC only requires an additional permit for the February recreational black sea bass season.
Charter/headboat vessels operating in federal waters must obtain all required federal licenses and permits and follow all federal rules and regulations. Please click here for federal permitting information.
Only persons who hold a valid Commercial Fisherman Registration License may sell, trade, or barter their harvest, or give their harvest to another, in order that it may be sold, traded, or bartered. [ Chapter 4 VAC 20-610-30 ].
A commercial hook-and-line license is required for each person using commercial hook and line. [ Chapter 4 VAC 20-1090 ].
It shall be unlawful for any person licensed as a commercial hook-and-line fisherman to fish recreationally on any commercial hook and line vessel during a commercial fishing trip or to fish commercially with hook and line aboard any vessel licensed as a charter boat or head boat while carrying customers for recreational fishing. [ Chapter 4 VAC 20-995-30 ].
U. S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Information
The VMRC Artificial Reef Program
