Shellfish Harvester License

To apply for a Commercial Shellfish Harvester license, complete the electronic forms listed below, print, then sign and date where indicated. Make a copy of all documents for your records and mail the originals, with the appropriate License and Biotoxin Fee (PDF), to:

Department of Health, Accounts Receivable, PO Box 1099, Olympia, WA 98504-1099

We cannot process unsigned or incomplete applications.

Submit the Following Forms

• License Application (Word)
• Plan of Operations for Harvester License (Word)

Complete the Harvest Site Application that applies to you.

• Not a member of a Washington Treaty Tribe: Harvest Site Application (Word)
• Member of a Washington Treaty Tribe: Tribal Harvest Site Application (Word)

Plan to harvest oysters from May through September?

• Vibrio parahaemolyticus Harvest Plan (PDF) - If you intend to harvest oysters from May through September you must complete and return this harvest plan by March 31. You may not harvest shellstock oysters from May through September without a Department of Health approved plan. If your plan hasn't changed from the previous year, sign and date your plan, and keep it for your records.

Shellfish Harvester - Razor Clam Only License

This license is for harvesting only razor clams commercially from the Willapa Spits in Cedar River. Harvest of any other shellstock from any other location requires a general harvester license. 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) typically opens the commercial razor clam fishery in the Spring for eight weeks. A WDFW commercial razor clam license and Washington Department of Natural Resource right of entry authorization is required.

To obtain your own Harvester-Razor Clam Only License, the following information must be submitted and approved before the season starts:

• License Application (Word) 
• Plan of Operations for Harvester-Razor Clam Only License (Word)

Additional information:

• Steps to Operate in the Commercial Razor Clam Fishery (PDF)
• Commercial Razor Clam Fishery Updates (PDF) 

License Renewal 

All Harvester licenses expire March 31 of each year and must be renewed by April 1 to remain active. Licensed operations will receive their licensing packet by mail about two months before March 31. You can pay by check or online, see Commercial Shellfish License Online Payment Guide (PDF). 

Keep and Review

• General Requirements for Shellfish Harvester Operations
• Commercial Shellfish Harvesting and Cultivating on Private Land (PDF) - Summary of state regulatory requirements and Indian treaty harvest rights.
• Harvest Record for Harvester Companies (Word)
• Shellstock Tag Example (PDF)
• Shellstock Bulk Tag Example for Harvesters (PDF)
• Shellfish Operation Licensing and Biotoxin Fees (PDF)
• Training for Shellfish Harvesters - All harvesters must show proof of completed harvester training prior to initial certification and re-certification.