Get a Certificate of Inspection for your charter vessel

You will need a Washington State Certificate of Inspection if you are chartering your vessel with seven or more passengers on non-navigable waters.

• If your vessel will carry less than seven passengers, it doesn't need a Washington State Certificate of Inspection.
• If your vessel will operate on navigable waters, you will need to apply through the United States Coast Guard.

How to get a Washington State Certificate of Inspection

You may request an application by calling 360-902-5568 or download it here:

Charter Vessel Inspection Application (F416-058-000) (92 KB PDF).

Ask an Expert

E-mail a Specialist if you have questions about the certification of charter vessels, or contact the Charter Vessel Certification desk at 360-902-5568.

Laws & Regulations

• RCW 88.04.035(1) - Inspection of charter boats — Certificate of inspection.
• RCW 88.04.045(1) - Application for inspection — Inspection fee.
• WAC 296-115 - Safety Requirements for Charter Boats.

General safety & health regulations

• WAC 296-800 - Safety and Health Core Rules.
• WAC 296-24 - General Safety and Health Standards.
• WAC 296-62 - General Occupational Health Standards.

Resources

• The Adventures in Boating Washington Handbook.
• US Coast Guard.
• USCG Navigation Rules.
• USCG Boating Safety.

See also:

Doing Business in Washington.

Do you need an Operator's License to operate a charter vessel?

If you are an operator of a charter vessel on non-navigable waters, you will need to apply for a Charter Vessel Operating License through L&I.

If you are an operator of a charter vessel on navigable waters you will need to apply for an Operator's License through the United States Coast Guard.

A physical examination will be required in either case.

How to get an operator's license

You may request an application for a Charter Vessel Operator's License by calling 360-902-5568 or download it here:

Application for Charter Boat Operator's License (81 KB PDF) (F416-034-000).

Physical Examination Form (77 KB PDF) (F416-056-000).

To obtain a Coast Guard permit, call 206-220-7270.

Ask an Expert

E-mail a Specialist if you have questions about getting a Charter Vessel Operator's License or contact the Charter Vessel Certification desk at 360-902-5568.

Regulation & Policy

WAC 296-115 - Safety Requirements for Charter Boats.

Resources

• The Adventures in Boating Washington Handbook.
• US Coast Guard.
• USCG Navigation Rules.

See also:

Doing Business in Washington.