Florida charter captain requirements
Quick answer
What license do I need to run a charter boat in Florida?
You need the federal USCG captain's license plus a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) charter license. For reef fish in Gulf federal waters you also need a NOAA Gulf reef fish for-hire permit (limited access) and Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) logbook reporting. The federal credential alone is not enough.
| Layer | What you need | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Federal credential | USCG captain's license (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels, OUPV, six-pack, or Master), required for all for-hire operation | 46 CFR / National Maritime Center |
| State license | FWC Charter Captain License (guides using own gear) or Charter Boat License (per-vessel, covers your passengers) | myfwc.com |
| Vessel registration | Register the vessel with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) | flhsmv.gov |
| Federal fishery permit | NOAA Gulf Charter/Headboat Reef Fish For-Hire Permit (limited access, under moratorium); a Coastal Pelagics Permit for pelagics | fisheries.noaa.gov |
| Reporting duty | Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) electronic logbook where the federal permit applies | fisheries.noaa.gov |
| State endorsement | No-charge State Gulf Reef Fish Charter endorsement for Gulf state waters (excludes Monroe County) | myfwc.com |