Shellfish Aquaculture Permits Step 7: Health Shellfish Operator's License Application and Certification

Health Shellfish Operator's License Application and Certification

All shellfish farms that grow for human consumption need an Aquaculture Operation Plan Permit from the Washington State Department of Health (WDOH). See the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide for more information. You will need a Washington State Department of Natural Resources lease or a land ownership agreement before WDOH certification can be issued.

NOTE: There are several types of shellfish aquaculture requirements, licenses, and permits that may be needed from the Washington Department of Health including:

Requirements

• General Requirements for Harvesters
• General Requirements for Shellstock Shippers
• General Requirements for Shucker-Packers (PDF) 
• Wet Storage*
• Commercial Shellfish Harvesting and Cultivating on Private Land

Additional Licenses and Permits

• Harvester Application Forms 
• Shellstock Shipper Application Forms 
• Wholesale Only Shellstock Shipper Application Forms 
• Shucker-Packer Application Forms 

*Please note that wet storage needs to be approved and permitted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife using the Shellfish Transfer Permit. You can reach out to shellfishpermits@dfw.wa.gov for additional guidance.

Resources

• The WDOH provides details on the types of commercial shellfish licenses and their respective application forms.
• For questions about shellfish operator license permitting, contact the WDOH at shellfish@doh.wa.gov, or 360-236-3330.
• For updates, sign up for the WDOH Commercial Shellfish Licensing and Certification Information Listserv.

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Permitting Steps

• Step 1: Scope Your Site
• Step 2: Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application
• Step 3: Local Government Review
• Step 4: Federal Regulatory Agency Permits and Approvals
• Step 5: State Owned Aquatic Lands Authorization
• Step 6: Tribal Review
• Step 7: Health Shellfish Operator's License Application and Certification
• Step 8: Import and Transfer Permitting and Aquatic Farm Registration

Contact

Teri King 
Regional Aquaculture Coordinator - Oregon and Washington 
West Coast Region 
Office: (360) 207-1724 
teri.king@noaa.gov