Charter and Headboat Operators' and Guides' Licenses

To be a saltwater fishing guide in Florida, you must comply with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requirements.  The U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) requires all operators of for-hire vessels to have a Captain license.  

Charter vessels must be commercially registered. 

Charter, headboat and saltwater fishing guide operations must have an FWC charter captain or boat license to cover their passengers, who are not required to hold a recreational saltwater fishing license.

The charter license does not authorize harvest in commercial quantities or the sale of fish.

Charter Captain (allows a licensed captain to go from boat to boat)

A Current Coast Guard License to Operate or Navigate Passenger Carrying Vessel License must be provided in order to purchase these licenses.

Charter Boat (may only be used on the boat designated on the license)

These licenses are only available to vessels that are commercially registered. A commercial vessel registration or U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation (with a commercial designation) must be provided in order to purchase these licenses.

 How to Apply

In order to purchase an FWC Charter Captain license, you must have a Coast Guard Captain's license. Call 1-305-536-6548 for information on the Coast Guard Captain's license.  USCG charter boat captain information is available on the web at: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/.

The FWC Charter Captain and Charter Boat licenses and commercial registration can be purchased at your local tax collector's office only. For information about vessel registration visit:  http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/faqboat.html.

More Information for Charter Operators, captains and guides

Surf fishing and freshwater fishing guides and their customers are subject to Florida's recreational fishing license requirements.  The FWC does not require additional guide licenses.

An occupational license may be required by the city or county where you are doing business.  Check with the city and county to see if you need an occupational license.

If you are operating a for-hire vessel in a park or a refuge (e.g., Everglades National Park), you may be required to have additional permits.  Please check with the park or refuge headquarters for any specific permitting requirements for those areas.

If you are operating a for-hire vessel in federal waters (outside of 9 nautical miles on the Gulf and 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic), you may need a federal charter vessel/headboat permit before fishing for certain species.  Contact the National Marine Fisheries Management Service, Licensing and Permitting Office at 727-824-5326 for information on federal charter vessel/headboat permits.