| Resident License Fees | Fees | Where to buy |
| *CHARTER/HEADBOAT-6 & UNDER PASSENGERS | $190.00 | VMRC OPERATIONS |
| *CHARTER/HEADBOAT-MORE THAN 6 PASSENGERS | $190.00 plus $5.00 per passenger over 6 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| BOAT RENTAL | $14.00 per boat max. $703.00 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| COMMERCIAL FISH PIER | $83.00 | VMRC OPERATIONS |
| COMMERCIAL PIER-SALTWATER RECREATIONAL, OPTIONAL | $632.00 in addition to $83 fee above | VMRC OPERATIONS |
| CLASS A FISHING GUIDE LICENSE | $100.00 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| CLASS B FISHING GUIDE LICENSE | $100.00 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| Non-Resident License Fees | Fees | Where to buy |
| *NON-RESIDENT HARTER/HEAD BOAT-6 & UNDER PASSENGERS | $380.00 | VMRC OPERATIONS |
| *NON-RESIDENT CHARTER/HEAD BOAT-MORE THAN 6 PASSENGERS | $380.00 plus $5.00 per passenger over 6 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| NON-RESIDENT BOAT RENTAL | $18.00 per boat max. $1270.00 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| NON-RESIDENTCLASS A FISHING GUIDE LICENSE | $200.00 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| NON-RESIDENTCLASS B FISHING GUIDE LICENSE | $200.00 |
VMRC OPERATIONS |
| NON-RESIDENTFISHING GUIDE RECIPROCITY PERMIT | No Cost | VMRC OPERATIONS |
*When the same applicant purchases a Class A or Class B fishing guide license prior to purchasing one charter boat or head boat license as required by § 28.2-302.8 of the Code of Virginia, the fee for that charter boat or head boat license shall be reduced by the cost of the fishing guide license. |
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Copies of the 1993 and 2009 Virginia, Maryland, and Potomac River Fisheries Commission reciprocal tidal license agreements:
MD/VA Reciprocity Agreement AmendmentCharter boat licensing and other permitting requirements:
In order to run charters in the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia coastal waters a captain must obtain their US Coast Guard Captain's license, a Virginia Charter/Head Boat License, and either a Class A or Class B Virginia Fishing Guide License. In order to catch certain species a charter boat captain may be required to obtain additional no-cost permits. These permits are designed to ensure that charter captains are aware of the rules associated with special management programs and to facilitate recreational harvest reporting. 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.
Class A Virginia Guide Licenses are limited-entry permits, and 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 a year. To apply for a Class A Guide License, please fill out the New Class A Fishing Guide License Applicant Form, linked here. Alternatively, a Class B Virginia Guide License has an unlimited amount of permits available, but only covers charter operations in Virginia state waters. To obtain a Class B Guide License, please see below for the new/renewal application link.
All permits and licenses expire on December 31 for the year listed on the permit or license.
The form for head boat, charter boat, and fishing guide licenses for new license applicants, or existing licensees needing to renew, or Maryland guides seeking reciprocity, can be found here.
Other reciprocal licenses:
For more information on reciprocity please consult the DWR website or the PRFC website.Note that additional permits may be required while operating in federal waters. Please click here for federal permitting information.
Other links of interest to charter boat captains:
General fishing regulations for all recreational hook and line fishermen in Virginia's marine waters
Regulation prohibiting the sale of recreational hook and line caught fish and requiring charter boat captains to report catch if requested by personnel authorized by the Commission
Regulation prohibiting commercial hook and line fishing on charter vessels carrying passengers that are recreationally fishing
Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: information on Citations, Rules of the Tournament, Weigh Stations, Current State Records, Plaque Winners, Fish Tagging Program, Handling and Releasing Fish, etc.
Virginia Saltwater Angler's Guide (full color PDF guide of saltwater angling in VA)The VMRC Artificial Reef Program (online map or PDF version); click here for more information on reefs from our Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing Development Fund website
Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Statistics from the National Marine Fisheries Service
Saltwater Angling and its Economic Importance to Virginia (1997 VIMS report)
Page updated: 03:14 PM Thursday, May 25, 2023
